Many of you have been writing in to get your comparison for 2009.  Unfortunately the Centers for Medicare do NOT send us the data to build our comparison until around November 1.  They also tell us that we cannot have comparisons or enrollments available to you until November 15th.  That is the beginning of the AEP or Annual Election Period. 

I wish we could do this for you sooner, but our hands are tied. 

I do know that you will be very pleased to see your comparisons on Nov. 15th and since you cannot enroll any earlier than that, you can wait to make your final selections. 

The comparisons have your top 5 plans for savings on your co-pays and premiums listed along side each of your medications.  It is a very easy process and the information can help you greatly on choosing the drug plan that will cover every drug you take at the lowest prices.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU ON NOVEMBER 15TH, 2009!!!

Dear Readers,

A few weeks ago we sent out over 10,000 worksheets to people who have enrolled with us last year.  Every year we do this so you have some warning about the changes to your drug plans coming up January 1, 2009.

It never fails that when some people go to the pharmacy for the 1st time after the New Year, they call us crying about their co-pays going up and why we didn’t tell them.  I talk about this all year on the BLOG that ALL THE DRUG PLANS CHANGE EVERY YEAR.  THE DRUG PLAN YOU HAD IN 2008 MAY NOT COVER YOUR DRUGS IN 2009 OR THEY COULD HAVE GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN CO-PAYS. 

We cannot give 10,000 people a personal phone call.  Please remember that you can see your comparison LIVE ONLINE BEGINNING NOV. 15TH, 2008 AND ENROLL FOR YOUR PLAN FOR 2009 at www.MyPartDusa.com.

When you see your comparisons it may look to you like the plan you have now is cheaper so why change it!!!?  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND YOU HAVE THE PREVIOUS YEARS PRICES AND THE PRICES YOU ARE LOOKING AT ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN ARE THE NEW ONES YOU WILL BE PAYING AT THE PHARMACY COME JANUARY 1, 2009.

We do know that Humana and Community Care have gone up quite a bit, so when you get your comparison if you are on these plans, they may not come up for you in your top 5 choices for 2009. 

YOU ALSO SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED YOUR LETTER OF NOTIFICATION FROM YOUR DRUG PLAN COMPANY.  THIS WILL ALSO BE A HEADS-UP FOR YOU TO KNOW THE CHANGES ON YOUR DRUG PLAN FOR 2009.

As always, I thank you for reading the BLOG and writing me with all your comments and questions.  I wanted to address this especially for those of you who have written recently with questions about why you should get your comparison.  As I have always said, YOU CANNOT BE LOYAL TO YOUR DRUG PLAN.  YOUR DRUG PLAN IS NOT LOYAL TO YOU. 

Also, I still get questions such as: “I do not take any drugs or I only take one or two medications, why should I get a drug plan, I don’t even need a drug plan?”  Then come June, I get a phone call saying that they got diagnosed with something and really need help.  This breaks my heart at that point, because I have to tell them I cannot do anything to help them because you can only enroll Nov. 15th through Dec. 31st.  Folks, you don’t wait until after you wreck your car to get car insurance or you don’t wait till the house burns down to get homeowners.  It is the same situation with your drug plan.  Please don’t let this happen to you or a family member.

I’d like to say “Thank YOU”, to everyone who has written in to me the last week or so with all the kind and thoughtful words of appreciation for the BLOG.  It means so much to me that you have found the information helpful. 

My Part D USA’s main objective is to be a useful resource for helping you make good decisions regarding your Part D drug plans and health coverage during this confusing time of decision making. 

Medicare has become more confusing the last few years and I get letters everyday from people telling me how hard it is to know the best thing for them.  We are not in competition with anyone else that you may talk to about Medicare.  Our #1 goal is to equip you with he most comprehensive information we have available from our many years of service to Medicare benficiaries, and tell you things that you may not hear from other salespeople. 

I have found that you can be honest and work for the people and still make a living in this dog eat dog economy.  So many companies try to be successful doing what is best for them, instead of what is best for others.  I don’t understand that mind set.  To me it seems so much easier to just do the “right thing”. 

No matter who you choose to work with to get your drug plan and health coverage, please take the advice on the BLOG to heart.  We wish everyone involved with Medicare enrollments the very best, it is not to our advantage to downgrade anyone.  I just wanted to pose questions that you should ask and then it is up to you to evaluate what you consider best for you!!  Now you know what questions to ask and what to look for, no matter where you go or who you talk with for your enrollment needs. 

Questions to ask your healthcare rep:

1.  Can you give me a Part D Plan comparison of plans based on my individual prescriptions and show me the actual  co-pays and premiums of each plan to save the most money?  There are at least 50 plans in each state, all with different co-pays for each drug. 

2.  Do you have a comparison of Medicare Supplement prices for several companies in my State?  Remember all the benefits will be the same, don’t get sold on a company name.

3.  What is the comparison between a Medicare Advantage Plan against staying on Original Medicare combined with a Medicare Supplement and a Stand Alone Part D Plan?  Remember, if they tell you that a Medicare Advantage Plan is better than Original Medicare, that is not the comparison you need!!  If you are considering joining a Medicare Advantage Plan, remember that you may not be able to get anything else after your 63 days of open enrollment without going through underwriting and possibly getting turned down for health reasons.

4.  If you are talking to me about joining a Medicare Advantage Plan with a built in Part D drug plan, can you give me a comparison of the stand alone plans to make sure the MAPD’s plan will save me the most money and cover my drugs?, or can I get a Medicare Advantage plan and still have my choice of Part D drug plans?  Remember, if you really want a Medicare Advantage plan, even after all my warnings, you need to get one that does NOT have a built in Part D plan, so at least you can save the most on your drugs.

You need Two Different Policies:

1.  Lowest Price Med Sup Policy

2.  Part D drug plan that covers meds at lowest prices

Again, I thank you for reading the blog.  Just let me know if you need a copy of the Walmart list for $4 generics. 

Yesterday I got a call from a GM Retiree in Ann Arbor, Michigan who had just read my blog.  It was not even 5 minutes after I posted it.   GOOD NEWS TRAVELS FAST!!!  He was very excited about our meetings and told me how thankful he was that we are doing our outreach. 

If you or your group of retirees would like us to have a meeting in your area, please call my number toll free at 866-752-1795 or email me.  We will try to fit you into our schedule before the AEP beginning Nov. 15th through Dec. 31. 

Many of you are calling and sending us your list of meds NOW.  However, the Centers for Medicare have not yet released the disc for the complete list of prices for 2009.  Remember there are at least 50 different drug plans in each state to compare against. 

WE WANT YOU TO GET THE BEST PLAN TO SAVE YOU THE MOST MONEY!!

PLEASE USE OUR WORKSHEET TO FAX OR SNAIL MAIL YOUR LIST OF MEDS IN TO US BEFORE NOV. 15TH!  AFTER THAT YOU CAN ENTER THEM IN YOURSELF ON THE WEBSITE OR CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR HELP.  YOU MUST GIVE US THE GENERIC NAMES OF YOUR MEDS IF YOU TAKE THE GENERIC FORM OF YOUR MEDICATION TO GET AN ACCURATE COMPARISON!

Here is the 2009 design for Part D Prescription Drug Plans:

Initial Deductible:  from $275 in 2008 to $295 in 2009

Initial Coverage Limit:  from $2,510 in 2008 to $2,700 in 2009

Out-of-Pocket Threshold:  from $4,050 in 2008 to $4,350 in 2009

This means that you will have to purchase $2,700 worth of medications in 2009 BEFORE you hit the “dreaded donut hole”.  That is almost $200 more than last year, so that is a good thing.  But of course the out of pocket has gone up that much as well.  So, we shall take the good with the bad!

I will have more details as I get them for you.  Just remember, when you begin 2009’s coverage on January 1st, please use my tips on staying out of the “dreaded donut hole” longer!  Buy your generics OFF YOUR DRUG PLAN.  This will leave more money in the pot to pay for your more expensive meds.  You can use Wal-mart’s list of over 300 generic drugs they sell for $4 for a 30 day supply, or go to a large retailer of your choice and see what kind of savings they offer on generics.  I will send you Wal-Mart’s list if you email me and request a copy!

The AEP is right around the corner.  Can you beleive that? 

I have always wondered why they did it at the end of the year at the Holiday and Christmas season, like we don’t have anything else to do during such a hectic time with family gatherings and such.  At least the election will be over!!

We will have the comparisons up for you beginning Nov. 15th, so you can get this off your schedule and go about your Christmas shopping and cooking your Thanksgiving turkeys!

We are hearing from so many people everyday from Fortune 500 companies that are losing their retirement healthcare benefits.  It is such a shame that after you have worked all your life for a company and deserve what you EARNED, they take it away.  Especially when they continue to have record profits and the CEO’s are making inflated salaries that seem ridiculous to most of us!

 We have heard from folks at:

 General Motors, Conoco-Phillips, Kodak, Alcate/Lucent, Whirlpool and American Airlines

We understand that you have never had to navigate the Medicare system and how confusing all of this is for you.  Many times the companies have contracted with Agencies to come in and enroll thier retirees on healthplans and drug plans.  Please be aware that YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY SPECIAL OPTIONS NOW THAT YOU ARE IN THE MEDICARE SYSTEM.  No matter what agency you use to enroll, they do not have anything special or different to offer you than anyone else has. 

The only difference is, WILL THEY GIVE YOU INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT COMPANIES HAVE BETTER SERVICE?  WILL THEY DO A COMPARISON BASED ON YOUR MEDICATIONS OF ALL THE DRUG PLANS AVAILABLE TO YOU IN YOUR STATE?  DO THEY JUST HAVE ONE PLAN TO OFFER BECAUSE THAT IS ALL THEY SELL?  WILL THEY BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN ALL YOUR OPTIONS AND GIVE YOU OBJECTIVE ADVICE ABOUT ALL OF THEM, NOT BASED ON WHAT WILL MAKE THEM THE MOST MONEY IN COMMISSIONS?

If someone tells you they know what drug plan you should join before Nov. 15th, and they do not take a list of your drugs, you are getting incorrect information.  The Centers for Medicare supplies us with the 2009 drug plan info with all the co-pays and premiums about a week or so before the 15th.  That way when you give us a list of your meds, we check against every plan (there are over 50 plans in each state) to find the one that covers your meds at the lowest prices.  Every drug plan does not cover every medication, so we check to make sure your drugs will be covered as well. 

Most of the agencies we have talked to are recommending these retirees who have been accustomed to very good benefit packages, go with a Medicare Advantage Plan with a built in PDP or Drug Plan.  This is very bad advice!  There are many hoops to jump through as I have said before.  Please read my other blogs on Medicare Advantage Plans.  The most important thing to know is if you join an MAPD FIRST, you may lose your right to a choice if you are not happy with it.  I have detailed this in a blog further down the page, so please read about this!!!!

The most horrible thing is Medicare does not have vision or dental coverage.  I’m sure those of you who have retired from these companies have had great coverage for this.  PLEASE GET ANY EYE EXAMS AND DENTAL WORK YOU NEED DONE NOW, BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR BENEFITS JANUARY 1, 2009, OR BY THE TIME YOU LOSE YOUR COVERAGE!  Even if some salesperson offers you dental or vision insurance, please know that it is probably NOT WORTH THE PREMIUMS YOU WILL PAY!  These individual dental and vision plans do not give you much coverage and we don’t recommend them at all.

I have also written blogs about Medicare Supplements, please read these so you will understand exactly what you need.  You just need 2 things:

1.  Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement

2.  A Stand Alone Part D Drug Plan

All the Medicare Supplements are regulated by the Centers For Medicare and contain the exact same benefits, the only difference is how much one insurance company will charge you from the next.  THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PAY MORE FOR A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT THAN YOU NEED TO.  You must compare prices, just like you MUST compare prices for your drug plan and get a comparison based on your individual medications.

I hope this has answered some of the many questions I recieve everyday from those of you in this terrible situation.  I am honored that you take the time to write in to me.

QUESTION:  I am new to Medicare, how do I maximize my Part D drug plan benefits and get the most savings on my medications?

ANSWER:  I am going to walk you through step-by-step of how to get the most savings out of your drug plan. 

1.  Before you enroll on a Part D drug plan, the very first thing you need to get is a comparison of the Part D plans, based on your individual medications, so that you know what plans cover your drugs and which plan will save you the most in co-pays and premiums.  We can help you with your comparison anytime of the year, if you are just getting on Medicare or have lost your coverage through your retirement program.  After that, you will need to get a comparison once every year during the AEP, or Annual Enrollment Period of November 15 thru December 31st.  This is the time of year that you can change your drug plan, making sure that you continue to have your drugs covered at the lowest prices.  All the drug plans change the drugs they cover on their formulary and the prices they will charge you every year!  Don’t make the mistake of just “keeping what you have”.  Your loyalty will cost you!  YOU NEED TO FIND THE PLAN THAT WILL SAVE YOU THE MOST IN CO-PAY’S AND PREMIUMS ON THE FIRST 2,700 DOLLARS OF YOUR PLANS BENEFIT BEFORE THE “DREADED DONUT HOLE” IN 2009.

2.  January 1st of every year your Part D drug plan benefits start over.  You will have to purchase $2,700 worth of medications before you fall into the “dreaded donut hole” in 2009.  This is not the co-pay costs, but the RETAIL COSTS are used to add up your purchases.  To maximize your benefits you can begin by NOT purchasing as many of your generic drug as possible using your drug plan.  WHY?  Wal-Mart and some other large retailers have a list of over 300 generic drugs that they sell for $4 for a 30-day supply.  If you email me, I will send you this list.  If you don’t like using Wal-Mart for some reason, many chain drug stores are doing this as well.  Check with them and buy them without using your drug plan, don’t give them your drug plan card and tell the pharmacy this is not to be added to your drug plan coverage.

The reason for this is that every prescription you purchase goes toward the “dreaded donut hole”.  If you purchase your generics off your drug plan, you will have more money left in the pot to pay for your expensive medications, thereby keeping you OUT of the “dreaded donut hole” longer!  Also, when your doctor prescribes a NEW drug for you, tell him/her then and there that you need to use the older tried and true meds, instead of the new designer drugs that are so expensive, IF your doctor feels like you will be able to get the same results.  For those of you that love Sally Field (I DO) and the other celebrities that sell designer drugs and you want to help the drug companies pay their huge salaries for their endorsement (I DON’T), please ignore this advice.  HA! Then tell him/her you need to take samples first, to make sure this drug will work for you.  You would not believe how many prescriptions people get each year that go toward their “dreaded donut hole” and they end up NOT EVEN TAKING THEM, BECAUSE THEY DON’T LIKE THE SIDE-EFFECTS, OR THEY SIMPLY DON’T WORK FOR THEM.  This will keep you out of the donut hole longer as well!

3.  The only folks who need to be concerned about what happens when they hit the “dreaded donut hole” are the folks who know they WILL get to the other side and begin the catastrophic coverage of 95%.  Most people don’t fall into the donut hole.  The rest fall in and never reach the other side.  If you fall into either of those categories, you should STOP USING YOUR DRUG PLAN when you reach the donut hole.  You MUST continue to pay your monthly premiums so you won’t have a penalty, but THERE IS NO NEED TO PAY MORE FOR YOUR MEDICATIONS THAN YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO PAY!!  You will need to do a little research at this point and call your pharmacist and other drug stores to see how much your medications will cost using your drug card, and how much they would cost without using it.  Many of the drug plans charge you a higher retail price while you are in the “dreaded donut hole” to make up for loses they incurred while you were on the much cheaper co-pays amounts.  YOU CAN BUY OR ORDER YOUR MEDICATIONS ANYWHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM CHEAPER!!  You can’t afford to be loyal to your drug plan as they are not loyal to you!

4.  If you have serious on-going health problems and know that you take so many medications that you will ACTUALLY fall into the donut hole and make it across to the 95% catastrophic coverage, YOU MUST CONTINUE TO USE YOUR PART D DRUG PLAN CARD SO THAT ALL THE MEDICATIONS YOU PURCHASE GO TOWARD YOUR GETTING OUT OF THE DONUT HOLE. 

Now, please read my other drug savings tips and donut hole advice by clicking on them in the category section on the left side of this page!  I have much more to tell you!

I hope this answered your question, if not, please write to me, Karyn Blake, and I will find an answer for you ASAP.

The United States House of Representatives Committe on Oversight and Government Reform has just issued a report about Part D Plans and how much the drug plan companies are making from taxpayers. 

There is a huge windfall of revenue going to the drug plan companies because Medicare cannot negotiate prices with the Drug Manufacturers in the same way that Medicaid does.

Eliminating the drug manufacturer windfall would realize substantial savings to federal taxpayers.  Over the next ten years, taxpayers would save $86 billion if the Medicare Part D insurers paid Medicaid prices for drugs used by the dual eligible beneficiaries (people on extra help programs).  If Medicare negotiated directly with the drug manufacturers and obtained prices equivalent to the Medicaid prices for ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES, the potential savings to taxpayers increases to $156 billion.

PLEASE, FOLKS, CALL OR WRITE YOUR SENATORS, CONGRESSMAN, LOCAL OFFICALS AND EVEN THE PRESIDENT TO INSIST MEDICARE BE ABLE TO NEGOCIATE PRICES WITH DRUG MANUFACTURERS!!! 

This would really make such a huge difference in the price you pay for your medications!!!

TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE SOME NOISE ABOUT

THIS!!!  IT IS YOUR MONEY, SO SAVE IT!!!