Quick Medicare Part D Enrollment Checklist
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-10-31 14:48:00-05:00
- MAKE A LIST OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS YOU TAKE.
Use a medication chart to list your prescription drugs. List the most expensive drugs first. Be sure to include the dosage and the number of times you take each drug each day or per week, such as "Lipitor 20 mg, once a day". If you get all your drugs at one pharmacy, your pharmacist can print out this list for you. - FIND YOUR MEDICARE CARD.
You will need your name as it appears on your Medicare card, your Medicare number, and your date of birth. - IDENTIFY A PERMANENT MAILING ADDRESS, IF NEED BE.
If you are away from home for a large part of the year, or if you aren't getting regular mail where you are now living, identify a permanent mailing address to give to Medicare and the drug plan sponsor where mail is being delivered daily. - IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR YOUR DRUGS.
People with limited incomes may qualify for Extra Help with paying for Medicare Part D that’s available through the Social Security Administration . If you qualify, you will pay zero or very low deductibles, copays, and premiums and have drug coverage year round. You can apply online or at your local Social Security office. If you need help completing the application, call The AARP Extra Help Application Center at 1-800-985-6848. - GET INFORMATION ABOUT A DRUG PLAN.
Go online to medicare.gov and use the plan finder tool. By entering the list of drugs you currently take, you’ll be able to compare what different drug plans in your area would cost. You’ll also see if any of these plans require that you get a prior authorization by the drug plan to cover a drug you take. You can call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 and get the same assistance from a customer service representative. The person will take your drug list over the phone and do some plan comparisons for you. Be sure to tell the person if you are receiving Medicaid, are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program, or have applied for Extra Help. Ask about your premium, co-pay, and if there is a deductible for each plan suggested to you (these may be low or zero if you qualify for Extra Help). Write the information on your chart as it is given to you or ask the person to mail it to you. - CHECK TO SEE WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR DRUGS.
You can search pharmacies online through the plan finder or a Medicare telephone customer service representative can do a search of pharmacies available for the plans you are comparing by using your zip code. If you have a particular pharmacy that you want or need to use, check to see if it is listed; if not, ask the person to search plans by pharmacy. - CHOOSE A PLAN.
It's important to sign up for a drug plan during the open enrollment period which runs from November 15 to December 31 each year. You can also switch plans during this time. Under special circumstances, you can enroll in a drug plan outside of the November 15 to December 31 time period such as when you become newly eligible for Medicare or you lose creditable drug coverage. Check with Medicare online or call them at 1-800-633-4227. - CALL YOUR DRUG PLAN TO CONFIRM ENROLLMENT.
If you choose a drug plan early in the enrollment period, you have a better chance of avoiding a problem confirming your plan choice at the pharmacy when your new coverage starts. You might want to take your Medicare card, photo ID, the phone number for your drug plan, and any written documentation the plan may have sent you to your pharmacy. The pharmacist can check to see if you are in the system. If not, SAVE ALL YOUR RECEIPTS, so you can be reimbursed for your charges when your enrollment comes through.
IF YOU NEED MORE HELP, contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program online or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to find the nearest assistance to you.
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