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 […]
If I’m Hospitalized for Coronavirus, Will Medicare Cover My Medical Bills?
As coronavirus has spread across the globe affecting millions of people, there is still a great deal of uncertainty regarding the disease. One of the common questions posed by many is: “If I end up with complications from coronavirus and end up in the hospital, will Medicare help pay my bills?” Having an illness is […]
What is a Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit?
When it comes to health insurance, there are lots of terms that get thrown around. However, not all of them are a simple as they seem. One of these terms is the out-of-pocket maximum. It is important to be aware of what this term means and how it relates to your Medicare Advantage plan. What […]
Why Should I Choose a PPO?
Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in a Part C, or Medicare Advantage, plan can expect to find a variety of options when it comes to how different plans manage their services and the access enrollees have to healthcare providers. A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan is a type of Medicare Advantage that may give you access […]
What Drugs are Excluded from Part D Plans?
Whether you take medication on a daily basis to manage symptoms of a chronic medical condition or you occasionally need prescription drugs to treat acute healthcare concerns, there’s no denying that medications are an important part of the US healthcare system. As a result, many people who receive Medicare benefits opt to take part in […]
What is the Part D late enrollment penalty?
Original Medicare benefits include Part A and Part B, but most Medicare recipient choose to enroll in Part D when they are first eligible for Medicare. Part D helps cover prescription drugs and is an optional plan available to Medicare beneficiaries. Although it is voluntary, a late penalty may be imposed if Part D is […]
When Can I Enroll in a DSNP?
You may qualify for a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (DSNP) if you get healthcare benefits from both Medicare and Medicaid. A DSNP is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that provides healthcare coverage for people who are eligible for both programs. Private insurance companies in many states offer DSNPs. These insurance companies are required by […]