MEDICARE DRUG COVERAGE IS CHANGING FOR 2019. ACT BEFORE DEC. 7TH FOR THE BEST PLAN

Many Medicare recipients enroll in a prescription drug plan (called Part D) and just assume that the plan continues to remain the same year after year.  But, that isn't at all true.  Medicare Part D plans change almost every year.  What was the best plan for you in 2018 may be a terrible plan for 2019.

You have until December 7th this year to change your plan.  After that, you're stuck with it for another year.

Some changes that drug plans make each year incude:

• Increasing the monthly premium
• Eliminating some of the drugs that they cover (formulary changes)
• Increasing co-pays
• Increasing annual deductibles
• Raising your out-of-pocket annual costs 

If you simply stay with the same drug plan you had last year, without comparing other plans, it may cost you hundreds of dollars in increased drug costs for 2019.
 
Here's What You Should Do

Go to Medicare's official website at

https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/results/planresults/plan-compare.aspx 


This link takes you to the official government website for Medicare.  [CAUTION:  www.medicare.com, once operated by Medicare, is no longer a government website].

Once on this site, look for the blue tab in the upper left corner of the screen that says "Sign Up/Change Plans."  Click this tab, then on the left side of the screen, click "Find Health and Drug Plans."  Then, follow the cues.

You will be able to enter your information and type in each of the prescription drugs that you take regularly.  Be sure to enter the correct dosage and number of pills or capsules that you buy each 30-day or 90-day period.  (*Mail order drugs will save you up to 50 percent compared to buying at a local pharmacy, and your prescriptions will come from a Medicare-approved mail order pharmacy).

Another caution:  There are dozens of websites run by insurance companies that look like Medicare websites.  They are not.  I had to search for 20 minutes just to find the official government website (in the link above).  The insurance companies have agents that want to sell you insurance.  So, avoid the sales pitches and go straight to the official Medicare website.  Compare premiums, co-pays and deductibles for 2019.  This website will actually let you customize your prescription use and tell you which Part D plan has the lowest out-of-pocket cost for you. 

By way of disclaimer, I'd like to say that neither I or anyone at the Forsythe Firm are licensed insurance agents and we do not sell or recommend insurance plans to anyone.  We do think you need to compare Part D drug plans every year to be sure you're getting the best deal.  It takes about 30 minutes on your computer to be sure.  And the deadline to change plans this year is December 7th.
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The Forsythe Firm
Social Security Disability Counselors
7027 Old Madison Pike - Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
(256) 799-0297

*Please do not call us about insurance related questions.  However, if you have a Social Security disability question, we welcome your call.  We offer free consultations.

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