MedicareBlue Rx
Questions and Answers
How can I join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan?
The Medicare drug benefit is voluntary, but if you don’t join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan such as MedicareBlue Rx when you are first eligible, you may pay a penalty in the form of higher monthly premiums if you decide to join a plan later.
If you become eligible for Medicare:
- Depending on your eligibility date, generally you will have a seven-month initial enrollment period that includes the three months prior to the month you become eligible, the month you become eligible, and the three months after you become eligible.
- After your initial enrollment period ends, you can join a plan, drop a plan, or change plans only during the period of November 15 through December 31 each year. Your options are limited at other times of the year.
It is important to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you are first eligible. Medicare prescription drug coverage not only helps to pay for current prescription drug costs but also helps provide valuable protection from high out-of-pocket costs in the future. Plus for most people, joining when you are first eligible means that you will pay a lower monthly premium than if you decide to join later.
To join, you must decide how you want to get your prescriptions. You can get:
- All your health care benefits and prescriptions through a Medicare Advantage Managed Care Plan like MedicareBlue PPO that offers plans designs with coverage for prescription drugs.
- Your health care benefits through the Original Medicare Plan and choose a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan like MedicareBlue Rx.
- Your health care benefits through another type of Medicare Advantage health plan. Generally, you must then receive any prescription drug benefits through that health plan.
- Your health care benefits through a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan, or a Medicare Managed Care Plan that isn't a Medicare Advantage Plan. With these types of health insurance plans, you may choose a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan like MedicareBlue Rx.
If you already have prescription coverage from other insurance, you can keep that coverage. If that coverage offers the same or better benefits as described above, you will not have to pay a higher premium if you decide to join a Part D plan later. Check with your other insurance to see how your coverage compares.
What if I don’t take any prescription drugs?
Even if you don’t use a lot of prescription drugs now, you should still consider joining a Medicare prescription drug plan. As we age, most people need prescription drugs to stay healthy. For most people, joining as soon as possible means you pay your lowest monthly premium. You can also feel secure that you will be protected from any unforeseen, catastrophic pharmaceutical expenses.
When can I join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan?
You can join a plan, drop a plan, or change plans only during the period of November 15 through December 31 each year. Your options are limited at other times of the year unless you age-in to Medicare or otherwise become eligible for Medicare.
What if I have prescription drug coverage from an employer or union?
If your employer or union plan covers as much as or more than a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan you can:
- Keep your current drug plan. If you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan such as Medicare Blue Rx later your monthly premium won’t be higher (no penalty).
- Drop your current drug plan and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, but you may not be able to get your employer or union drug plan back.
If your employer or union plan covers less than a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan you can:
- Keep your current drug plan and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to give you more complete prescription drug coverage.
- Just keep your current drug plan. But, if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan later, you will have to pay more for the monthly premium (a penalty).
- Drop your current drug plan and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, but you may not be able to get your employer or union drug plan back.
My income is very limited. It will be hard for me to pay the premiums and deductible under the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. Is there any extra help for me?
You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
- The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-325-0778; or - Your State Medicaid Office.
Learn what your monthly plan premium will be if you qualify for subsidies for people who need extra help.
|
MedicareBlue PPO