Medicare Prescription Plans

Also known as Part D and PDP

The Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, also known as Part-D, also known as PDP, is the Part of Medicare that helps pay for prescriptions that you pick up at a retail pharmacy or through a mail order pharmacy. Prescriptions used while in the Hospital are covered by Medicare Part A.

When Can I Sign Up for Part D?

When you turn 65, and sign up for Medicare Part A, you can then sign up for a Drug plan any time during your IEP (Initial Enrollment Period), the seven months including:

  1. The three months before the month of your 65th birthday
  2. The month of your 65th birthday
  3. The three months after the month of your 65th birthday

If you are loosing Group Insurance Coverage through your company

You can sign up for any Drug plan within 63 days of loosing your group drug coverage

If you have a Part D plan and want to change to another plan

You can change plans each year during Annual Enrollment, between October 15th and December 7. The change will take effect January 1st.

How do I sign up for a Medicare Part-D Plan (Prescription Plan)?

The easiest way is to call Medicare at 1-800-MED-ICAR (800-633-4227)

What’s the Best Part-D Plan?

There is no “Best” Part-D plan for everyone. It depends on the exact prescriptions that you are taking. At the end of each year you should call Medicare to see what plan will be the best for you the following year. Southern Senior Care can also assist you in selecting the best Prescription Plan. Simply contact us by phone, email or fill out our contact form.

What is the Donut Hole?

Every Medicare Part-D plan has something called the “Donut Hole.” It is also referred to as the “Gap.” After you reach the “Initial Coverage” limit, you enter the Donut Hole. You stay in the Donut Hole until you reach your out of pocket limit. The initial limit and out of pocket limit change each year.

How do I avoid the Gap?

There are several things you can do to delay or prevent going into the Donut Hole. Here are a few:

  1. Use Generic Prescriptions whenever possible.
  2. Request double dosage tablets and cut them in half. (ie. if your prescription is for 10mg tabs, have your doctor write your prescription for 20mg and get a pill cutter.) You can buy a pill cutter at most pharmacies.
  3. If it is late in the year and you are trying to stay out of the gap for just a month or so, see if your doctor can give you some samples.
  4. If a pharmacy in your area offers generic prescriptions for a price equal to or less than your Part-D plan’s co-pay, then get them filled there without filing with your insurance. Your out of pocket costs are about the same, AND the cost of the prescription will not be added to your “Donut Hole” total.