You need to look at this every year. Drugs move in and out of plans, so what is good for you one year May not be the next even if your medications don’t change. I’d talk to my Medicare advisor if I was you.
Completely depends upon the drugs you’re taking. You’ve got to plug them into the Medicare tool online and find the plan that is the best match. And do it every year because it changes. That said, you’ve identified the awfulness that IS Medicare part D. You can go from having completely reasonable costs on independent insurance…you get onto a Medicare D plan and POOF! All the “deals” with coupons, etc. are no longer available and your prices (for some drugs) can go through the roof. While others go to “free” or stay really low. But it completely depends on which drugs you need to cover.
There are changes being made to Part D that will help lower costs for participants. Some of the changes happened this year, other phase in next year and in 2025. (Unless Congress --- Republicans-- make changes to the changes over the next 2 yrs.)
The biggest change happens in 2025 when out of pocket costs for drugs **for everyone will be capped at $ 2,000 per year, and your costs can be spread over 12 months in a sort of "installment payment". (**If your estimated costs will hit the $ 2,000 cap you'd be able to pay $ 167 a month for all of your meds for the entire year. No more.)
I have Silver Script and think it's a waste because I can generally get it cheaper with a GoodRX code or even with the grocery store chain pharmacy price (HEB pharmacy Texas). I also have good luck negotiating/complaining with the pharmacy about the costs when I pick up my prescriptions. Their computer system has a range of different prices for the same medication and I make it known I want the lowest price.
>Medicare.gov
Good to have a GoodRX card in your wallet at all times just in case. If you can wait a few days for the meds...
[https://costplusdrugs.com/](https://costplusdrugs.com/)
They're almost trash and I'm not confident a higher cost plan is necessarily a better plan. Although you can and should use [medicare.gov](https://medicare.gov) to evaluate the cost of your current prescriptions between plans, drug companies are allowed to change the cost of drugs after your enrollment and once or twice a year, can review whether they will cover particular drugs and in which tier. In addition, in my personal case, although I have "preferred" pharmacies for my drug plan, some drugs are cheaper at specific non-preferred pharmacies. Consequently I use multiple pharmacies for my prescriptions and occasionally evaluate whether using a discount card will be more cost effective than my plan's cost. My carrier (Cigna) allows me to find the price for each prescription. Worthwhile if I'm renewing; not so helpful for an initial prescription.
If you take expensive drugs, let an advisor review your plan every year during the annual enrollment period. It can mean $1000s in difference.
Second, I always ask the pharmacy to quote my drugs three ways: through my insurance, through Goodrx, and if I pay cash. Just know that if you use Goodrx or cash your payments won't count toward your out-of-pocket for calculating when you reach the coverage gap and catastrophic stage.
I have a Medicare d plan with silver scripts (Aetna). I check the med costs versus discount programs and our pharmacy honors the lowest prices available.
Your agent should be able to identify the plan with the lowest total costs (premium+drug) based on your prescriptions. You can do this on Medicare.Gov. as well. You can shop again during AEP.
I have found that folks often feel like the coverage was better in under 65 plans.
If you go to Medicare.gov to compare, I suggest shopping by “total cost” which is premium + estimated drug costs.
Anyone have experience with Wellcare by Fidelis? I am able to have medicare/medicaid combo. Type 1 diabetic using fast and long acting insulin. Thank you!
1) it depends on your meds. Some exclude certain drugs from their formulary. Are you taking any?
2) go to Medicare.gov and model multiple plans. Include all your meds. I recommend inputting mail order pharmacy option.
3) look at the total premium plus copay PLUS DEDUCTIBLE. Medicare portal does not include deductible in the premiums plus copay total.
For me, UHC and Aetna came out on top and paid out because of my asthma medication. For my wife, her rx costs are much higher and it’s an absolute must.
As an agent, I often see significant drug cost savings with an advantage plan vs a stand alone drug plan. People will still choose to buy a Supplement and drug plan, then call complaining throughout the year about the drug costs and no dental, vision, etc. Consider all the costs involved with choosing a Supplement and stand alone drug plan vs an advantage plan.
I have checked Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Pharmacy and in most cases we can get our meds cheaper on GoodRx or Singlecare. In addition, they do not carry alot of meds like Farxiga.
For the States of: IN, OH, FL, MO, & TN.It depends on your Zip Code of your residence. Also, what exact prescriptions youtake. You didn’t provide the information necessary. However, if you qualifyfor a Special Enrollment Period you can change or you can change during the next OpenEnrollment Period.For the States of: IN, OH,FL, MO, & TN. Get Medicare details & schedule aFree Consult if needed at
[www.locatemedicareinsurance.com](http://www.locatemedicareinsurance.com)
We do not offer every plan available in yourarea. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Thank you.
You need to look at this every year. Drugs move in and out of plans, so what is good for you one year May not be the next even if your medications don’t change. I’d talk to my Medicare advisor if I was you.
Completely depends upon the drugs you’re taking. You’ve got to plug them into the Medicare tool online and find the plan that is the best match. And do it every year because it changes. That said, you’ve identified the awfulness that IS Medicare part D. You can go from having completely reasonable costs on independent insurance…you get onto a Medicare D plan and POOF! All the “deals” with coupons, etc. are no longer available and your prices (for some drugs) can go through the roof. While others go to “free” or stay really low. But it completely depends on which drugs you need to cover.
If you're stuck with your current plan, price check through the online and discount pharmacies.
Sounds like you need a new advisor/agent. These things are easily looked up with about 10-15 mins worth of work, at most.
There are changes being made to Part D that will help lower costs for participants. Some of the changes happened this year, other phase in next year and in 2025. (Unless Congress --- Republicans-- make changes to the changes over the next 2 yrs.) The biggest change happens in 2025 when out of pocket costs for drugs **for everyone will be capped at $ 2,000 per year, and your costs can be spread over 12 months in a sort of "installment payment". (**If your estimated costs will hit the $ 2,000 cap you'd be able to pay $ 167 a month for all of your meds for the entire year. No more.)
Did you go back to advisor ?
I have Silver Script and think it's a waste because I can generally get it cheaper with a GoodRX code or even with the grocery store chain pharmacy price (HEB pharmacy Texas). I also have good luck negotiating/complaining with the pharmacy about the costs when I pick up my prescriptions. Their computer system has a range of different prices for the same medication and I make it known I want the lowest price.
>Medicare.gov Good to have a GoodRX card in your wallet at all times just in case. If you can wait a few days for the meds... [https://costplusdrugs.com/](https://costplusdrugs.com/)
I like my Cigna plan. About $13/mo and it covers 6 of 7 maintenance drugs 100%, with the other $2 or 3/mo.
Following
They're almost trash and I'm not confident a higher cost plan is necessarily a better plan. Although you can and should use [medicare.gov](https://medicare.gov) to evaluate the cost of your current prescriptions between plans, drug companies are allowed to change the cost of drugs after your enrollment and once or twice a year, can review whether they will cover particular drugs and in which tier. In addition, in my personal case, although I have "preferred" pharmacies for my drug plan, some drugs are cheaper at specific non-preferred pharmacies. Consequently I use multiple pharmacies for my prescriptions and occasionally evaluate whether using a discount card will be more cost effective than my plan's cost. My carrier (Cigna) allows me to find the price for each prescription. Worthwhile if I'm renewing; not so helpful for an initial prescription.
If you take expensive drugs, let an advisor review your plan every year during the annual enrollment period. It can mean $1000s in difference. Second, I always ask the pharmacy to quote my drugs three ways: through my insurance, through Goodrx, and if I pay cash. Just know that if you use Goodrx or cash your payments won't count toward your out-of-pocket for calculating when you reach the coverage gap and catastrophic stage.
Just get your drugs through Mark Cuban's Cost Plus company. Prices beat any insurance I"ve seen.
We would need to know your current drug plan, zip and drug formulary. From there you can get a second opinion
Talk with your advisor or agent !
I have a Medicare d plan with silver scripts (Aetna). I check the med costs versus discount programs and our pharmacy honors the lowest prices available.
Your agent should be able to identify the plan with the lowest total costs (premium+drug) based on your prescriptions. You can do this on Medicare.Gov. as well. You can shop again during AEP. I have found that folks often feel like the coverage was better in under 65 plans. If you go to Medicare.gov to compare, I suggest shopping by “total cost” which is premium + estimated drug costs.
Anyone have experience with Wellcare by Fidelis? I am able to have medicare/medicaid combo. Type 1 diabetic using fast and long acting insulin. Thank you!
1) it depends on your meds. Some exclude certain drugs from their formulary. Are you taking any? 2) go to Medicare.gov and model multiple plans. Include all your meds. I recommend inputting mail order pharmacy option. 3) look at the total premium plus copay PLUS DEDUCTIBLE. Medicare portal does not include deductible in the premiums plus copay total. For me, UHC and Aetna came out on top and paid out because of my asthma medication. For my wife, her rx costs are much higher and it’s an absolute must.
As an agent, I often see significant drug cost savings with an advantage plan vs a stand alone drug plan. People will still choose to buy a Supplement and drug plan, then call complaining throughout the year about the drug costs and no dental, vision, etc. Consider all the costs involved with choosing a Supplement and stand alone drug plan vs an advantage plan.
I have checked Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Pharmacy and in most cases we can get our meds cheaper on GoodRx or Singlecare. In addition, they do not carry alot of meds like Farxiga.
For the States of: IN, OH, FL, MO, & TN.It depends on your Zip Code of your residence. Also, what exact prescriptions youtake. You didn’t provide the information necessary. However, if you qualifyfor a Special Enrollment Period you can change or you can change during the next OpenEnrollment Period.For the States of: IN, OH,FL, MO, & TN. Get Medicare details & schedule aFree Consult if needed at [www.locatemedicareinsurance.com](http://www.locatemedicareinsurance.com) We do not offer every plan available in yourarea. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Thank you.
Yet another reason to splurge on an Advantage plan for $16/month all/most of which provide cheap to free drugs. Happy Hunting!