• Latest
Shop early: the right prescription for selecting a Medicare drug plan

Shop early: the right prescription for selecting a Medicare drug plan

December 29, 2012

How to Replace Vital Documents Lost or Damaged by Floods

September 19, 2023

9th-12th Grade Students Invited to Submit to Bennington College Young Writers Awards

September 19, 2023

Ten Key Facts to Know About Federal Disaster Assistance

September 19, 2023
African Queen (1951)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

September 19, 2023
Just Some Thoughts

The Blessings of Fall

September 19, 2023
African Queen (1951)

Amadeus (1984)

September 12, 2023

Montpelier Food Pantry Now in City Center

September 12, 2023

Green Mountain Youth Symphony Fall 2023 Fundraising Appeal

September 12, 2023

Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience Announced

September 12, 2023

Governor Phil Scott and Mental Health Officials Encourage Residents to Check In On Themselves and Others

September 12, 2023
African Queen (1951)

Meet John Doe (1941)

September 5, 2023
Just Some Thoughts

A Hidden Treasure

September 5, 2023
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Friday, September 22, 2023
The World Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Shop early: the right prescription for selecting a Medicare drug plan

vt-world by vt-world
December 29, 2012
in Senior
0
Shop early: the right prescription for selecting a Medicare drug plan

The most important shopping seniors may do this season is for a Medicare prescription drug plan. Therefore, it’s one holiday shopping item that shouldn’t wait until the last minute.

New research from Express Scripts shows 84 percent of seniors (based on an analysis of Express Scripts Medicare (TM) 2011 PDP enrollment data) wait until the last minute to select a Medicare Part D plan, and half of all seniors will attempt to enroll specifically on Medicare Monday – the Monday following Thanksgiving, the busiest enrollment day of the year. In addition, many seniors are not aware that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) changed the enrollment deadline in 2011 to Dec. 7, thus trimming the enrollment period by three weeks.

“As a result of down-to-the-wire decision making, seniors risk overpaying because they do not have the time to shop, compare and ensure the plan they choose covers all of their pharmacy needs,” says Paul Reyes, host of the Ask the Pharmacist radio series and pharmacist for Express Scripts. “Choosing the wrong plan could end up costing hundreds of dollars or more because you’re locked in until next year’s enrollment period.”

It’s important to start the process early so you have plenty of time to thoroughly compare plans and avoid long wait times and enrollment frustration. Reyes has the following tips to help you make the right Part D choice:

Look beyond the sticker price: While lower premiums are helpful if you do not currently take many medications, when you do need more medications, the costs of the medications can really add up. You should evaluate any out-of-pocket costs you’ll be responsible for based on the medications you take regularly, and make sure these medications are included on the plan’s list of covered medications. 

Star search: Beneficiaries should consider a plan’s CMS star rating – an objective comparison of important plan attributes and performance, such as patient safety and support. The CMS star ratings range from one to five, with four and five representing above-average plan performance.

Mind the coverage gap: The coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole,” begins when your total drug costs (the amount that both you and your plan pay) reach $ 2,970. Once you reach the coverage gap, you are responsible for paying the full cost of your medications until you hit a total of $ 4,750. Look for a plan that will alert you when you’re getting close to the gap and will help you stretch your Medicare dollars to delay or avoid it. If you use a lot of medications or have reached the gap in previous years, consider a plan that offers coverage in the gap.

Is there a generic for that?: Generic medications can help lower your monthly drug costs, thus delaying or even preventing you from reaching the gap. Many plans offer incentives for generics – for example, the Express Scripts Medicare Choice Plan offers a $ 0 copay on generics ordered through home delivery. The great news for Medicare consumers is that many popular brand name medications, such as Lipitor, are now available in generic form.

Care and convenience: A plan that offers round-the-clock pharmacist support can help you get the support you need from your plan – even if it’s the middle of the night, plus may offer you ways to help you stick to your treatment regimen and avoid potentially harmful drug interactions and side effects. Plans that have a national pharmacy network can make a lot of sense if you travel or spend time away seasonally – plus look for other ways to save – such as through home delivery for chronic medications. These savings can really add up.

Play it safe: If you’re shopping for a Part D plan online, be sure to start with www.Medicare.gov, the official U.S. Government website for Medicare, to ensure you are signing up with a CMS-approved Medicare Plan. Also, if you order medications online, look for the site’s VIPPS certification to ensure you are buying medications from an online pharmacy licensed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

So when enrollment begins on Oct. 15, start comparison shopping for a plan early  on and review the above information to help find the plan that’s right for you. For more information regarding how to choose your plan, or to sign up for free reminders to ensure you don’t miss the enrollment period, visit www.Express-ScriptsMedicare.com.

Tags: drugearlyMedicareplanprescriptionrightselectingShop
Previous Post

Should you 'winterize' your pet?

Next Post

Clippers rally past Jazz for 16th straight win

Next Post
Clippers rally past Jazz for 16th straight win

Clippers rally past Jazz for 16th straight win

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Summer Guide 2023
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In