Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies

Confused about Medicare’s drug coverage? You’re not alone. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies explains Part D in plain English and shows you how to find the best deal among numerous drug-coverage plan options. Whether you’re new to Medicare or already in the program, you’ll navigate the system with more ease and confidence, avoid pitfalls and scams, and have plenty of help choosing the plan that’s right for you.

This easy-to-understand, consumer-friendly guide helps you find out whether Part D affects any drug coverage you already have and weigh the consequences of going without coverage. You’ll find ways to compare plans, identify the one that covers your drugs at the least cost, and make sure you sign up at the right time. And you’ll learn how to minimize your expenses, use the “right” pharmacies, and troubleshoot any problems with your coverage. Discover how to:

• Decide whether you need Part D
• Understand how Part D works, from costs to coverage
• Choose and enroll in the best plan for you
• Get up and running with Part D
• Handle the coverage gap
• Lower your drug costs
• Join and switch plans
• Comply with long-term-care rules and rights
• Challenge plan decisions
• Avoid scams and hard-sell marketing

Now, more than ever, you need clear, reliable information that helps you understand Part D and make smart, cost-saving healthcare decisions. You need Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies.

Introduction 1

Part I: The Nuts and Bolts of Medicare

Prescription Drug Coverage 7

Chapter 1: The ABCs (And D) of Medicare 9

Chapter 2: The Rules of the Game: How Part D Works 23

Chapter 3: The Big Question: What Will Part D Cost (And Save) You? 31

Chapter 4: Delving into Drug Coverage under Part D 43

Chapter 5: Extra Help: A Better Deal if Your Income Is Low 57

Part II: Deciding Whether to Sign Up for Part D 83

Chapter 6: Taking Other Drug Coverage and Sources into Account 85

Chapter 7: Considering Coverage if You Take Few or No Drugs Right Now 105

Chapter 8: Confronting the Late Penalty 113

Part III: Choosing and Enrolling in the Right Part D Plan for You 123

Chapter 9: The First Cut: Deciding How You Want to Receive Your Medical Benefits 125

Chapter 10: Making a Smart Choice among Medicare Prescription Drug Plans 149

Chapter 11: Buyer Beware: Avoiding Scams and Hard-Sell Marketing183

Chapter 12: Signing Up for a Part D Plan for the First Time 195

Part IV: You’re In! Navigating Part D from the Inside 205

Chapter 13: You’ve Just Signed Up — What Happens Now? 207

Chapter 14: Filling Your Prescriptions 221

Chapter 15: In and Out of the Coverage Gap 233

Chapter 16: Bringing Down Your Drug Costs 249

Chapter 17: Switching to Another Plan 263

Chapter 18: Staying in Long-Term Care (Or Helping Someone Who Is) 283

Chapter 19: You Have Rights: How to Holler and (If Necessary) Holler Louder 293

Part V: The Part of Tens 313

Chapter 20: Ten Ways Boomers Can Help Loved Ones with Part D 315

Chapter 21: Ten Proposed Changes to Part D You Should Know About 321

Part VI: Appendixes 325

Appendix A: Worksheets327

Appendix B: Sources of Help 333

Appendix C: Buying Prescription Drugs Safely from Abroad 345

Index 351

Patricia Barry is a senior editor at the AARP Bulletin and a recognized expert on the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. During a long career in journalism, she has authored thousands of articles and two guidebooks on healthcare and social policy. Since 1999, she has specialized in writing about Medicare and prescription drugs.

Learn to:

• Understand the Medicare Part D prescription drug program
• Determine whether you need Part D coverage
• Make cost-saving, smart healthcare decisions
• Avoid scams and hard-sell marketing

Cut through the complexities of Medicare Part D and make the choices that meet your needs

Confused by Medicare's drug coverage? This consumer-friendly guide explains Part D in plain English and shows you how to find the best deal among numerous plan options. Whether you're new to Medicare or already in the program, you'll navigate the system more easily and confidently, avoid pitfalls and scams — and choose the plan that's right for you!

• Decide whether you need Part D — find out whether it affects any drug coverage you already have and weigh the consequences of going without coverage
• Choose and enroll in the best plan for you — compare plans to find the one that covers your drugs at the least cost and sign up at the right time
• Get up and running with Part D — minimize your expenses, use the "right" pharmacies, and troubleshoot any problems with your coverage

Open the book and find:

• Details of how Part D works, from costs to coverage
• Ways to get extra help paying for drugs if your income is limited
• Step-by-step guidance on how to compare drug plans
• Tips on handling the coverage gap
• Practical advice on lowering your drug costs
• Clear instructions for joining and switching plans
• Rules and rights that apply to people in long-term care
• Procedures for challenging plan decisions