A Special Enrollment Period is a time that you are allowed to sign up for a health insurance plan outside the traditional enrollment periods. In most cases, you are eligible to sign up for Medicare coverage during your Initial Enrollment Period, which generally occurs when a person reaches the age of 65, or qualify under […]
Coverage
Does Medicare Cover Omeprazole?
Omeprazole is a generic form of a medication that can be purchased either OTC (over the counter) or with a doctor’s prescription. Brand names include Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC, OmePPi and Zegerid. A discussion with your doctor should make it clear which version of the drug is suitable for your medical condition. Benefits and side […]
Does Medicare Cover Metformin?
Metformin is a generic diabetes medication, which is marketed under the brand names of Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Riomet, Glumetza and Fortamet. It is prescribed for people with diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes, more commonly known as type 2 diabetes, which causes high blood sugar (glucose) levels. When blood glucose is elevated beyond the normal range, […]
When Can I Enroll in Part D?
Enrolling in Medicare is an important step for many people in protecting their health and their finances as they age. The Medicare program assists millions of seniors and certain individuals with qualifying disabilities, and without Medicare, some Americans would struggle to afford the cost of healthcare and related expenses. The Medicare program is broken down […]
Does Medicare Cover Hydrocodone?
Pain management is necessary in a wide range of medical situations, including after an injury, after certain surgeries, or during the course of treating symptoms of an illness. There are many approaches to pain management that utilize the body’s own healing power to alleviate pain, but in some cases, prescription pain medications like hydrocodone are […]
Does Medicare Cover Zocor?
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It helps digestion and keeps cells healthy. Unfortunately, this wax-like substance can also cause cardiovascular problems when large amounts are present. Too much cholesterol can lead to plaque that builds up on the walls of arteries and potentially leads to blockages in blood flow. Ultimately, this […]
Does My Part D Premium Depend on My Income?
Although Medicare is often the medical insurance program of choice for retired individuals and those who qualify due to disability, there are many Medicare recipients who rely on the program while still working and earning a paycheck. In most circumstances, Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, is optional coverage for prescription medications that you […]
Does Medicare Cover Norvasc?
Norvasc is the brand name for a drug named amlodipine. It is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and angina or chest pain. For high blood pressure, it works by slackening blood vessels to facilitate blood flow. This is critical because high blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks, kidney […]
What is Step Therapy?
Step therapy may sound like an exercise program, but it actually refers to managed care for prescription drug therapies and a process that healthcare insurers use to control prescription drugs costs. Step therapy is also known as step protocol or a fail first requirement. It is implemented by prescription drug insurance providers by using the […]
Does Medicare Cover Remeron?
Remeron is a brand-name drug used to treat people who suffer from depression. The generic name is mirtazapine. It is administered orally either in the form of a tablet that dissolves in the mouth or an immediate-release tablet. Its functionality is to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, uplifting the patient’s mood and […]
Does Medicare cover Synthroid?
Synthroid is the brand name for levothyroxine, a medication to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland is located near the larynx, and its shape resembles a butterfly. It plays a crucial role in the biological functions of the human body, producing hormones that regulate oxygen usage, metabolism, growth and […]
Choosing a Part D Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage
If you are eligible for Original Medicare but do not have prescription drug coverage, you may be thinking about signing up. You have two plan options to consider; you can enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan or you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage, also known as […]
Understanding How Medicare Advantage Works
If you’d prefer an all-in-one benefits package for your Medicare insurance, you may want to consider enrolling in Medicare Advantage. Many Medicare recipients who get Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) through Original Medicare end up enrolling in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) and/or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. Medicare recipients […]
What Can I Do If Medicare Won’t Cover My Prescription?
If you commonly use prescription medications, you most likely have a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. These plans are designed specifically to provide medication coverage for Original Medicare recipients. Or, you may also have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage. Each of these plans can differ in the specific medications that […]
Are All Medicare Advantage Plans Available Everywhere?
Over 24 million Americans have chosen to get their Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage (Part C) healthcare plan. Anyone who is eligible for Part A and Part B can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. MA plans are offered by private insurance companies who contract with Medicare. They are required to provide the same […]
Are All Medicare Part D Plans the Same?
Anyone who is eligible for Original Medicare benefits is also eligible for prescription drug coverage plans, or Medicare Part D. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage provide beneficiaries with coverage that helps them pay for brand-name and generic drugs. More than 43 million Americans are enrolled in Part […]
What Should I Do With My Part D Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
If you have Medicare prescription drug (Part D) coverage, either from a stand-alone policy, or as additional coverage with your Medicare Advantage plan, you have probably received Explanation of Benefits notices after you receive medical services or supplies that are covered by your plan. An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is not a bill that you […]
How Can I Get Extra Help Paying for Prescriptions?
Prescription drugs can be extremely expensive, and if you have more than one prescription to take or you take medications daily, the costs can be even greater. Medicare offers Part D to help lower the out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs. Part D coverage can complement Original Medicare or be included in a Medicare Advantage plan. […]
Does My Medicare Coverage Change if I Move Out of Assisted Living?
Medicare recipients who reside in assisted living facilities most commonly leave because they need a higher level of health and custodial care. For many, this means moving into a skilled nursing facility where they can get help with their daily living activities and have access to around the clock nursing care. In some assisted living […]
What is the Part B late enrollment penalty?
Medicare Part B is optional coverage, but most people will choose to enroll during their initial enrollment period. This can be when you turn 65, or under the age of 65 if you’ve been receiving disability payments from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months. If you don’t enroll in Part B […]