October 15 to December 7th, 2011 is the Annual Election Period for your Part D drug plans! We WILL have these online for you October 21st to study and choose between your top 5 plans based on premium and co-pay for each of YOUR drugs. If you would ALSO like a comparison of Medigap/Medicare Supplement Plans, please let us know in the comments section. Tell us about your situation and how we can assist you in getting the best coverage for the best price available! When you work with US, we always have your Part D plan comparison ONLINE for you during the AEP each year to make the best decision on saving the most money on your drugs! That is the My Part D USA difference! We help you with ALL YOUR MEDICARE NEEDS EACH AND EVERY YEAR!
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on October 14, 2011 in Drug Savings Tips, Traditional Medicare Supplements.
QUESTION: I am turning 65 and got a call directly from an insurance company who sold me a Medicare Supplement. Now I can’t get anybody to help me with my Part D plan, get a comparison or talk to me when I have a question about my Medicare rights. What did I do wrong??? I am very distressed and need help about my drugs because I need to save as much as possible.
ANSWER: I get many, many calls all day from people who have already gone DIRECTLY to the company OR HAVE RESPONDED TO DIRECT MARKETING FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY and purchased their Medicare Supplement. Then they need help with their Part D plan or want advice or help about other Medicare coverage issues and they do not have an ADVOCATE or AGENT to help them. They literally are in tears because they were new to Medicare and did not realize they were giving up getting comparisons or help regarding Medicare. All the company is there to do is SELL you a Medicare Supplement. They do NOT CARE ABOUT YOU! Every year YOU will need a new Part D plan comparison because the drug plans change the drugs they cover and the prices you pay for them each year. You will have no one to help you!
IF YOU GO DIRECTLY TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY…AND GO THROUGH THEIR PHONE SALES DEPARTMENT, YOU WILL NOT HAVE AN AGENT OR ADVOCATE TO HELP YOU WITH ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAS TO DO WITH MEDICARE SUCH AS GETTING A PART D PLAN COMPARISON. IF YOU EVER NEED ADVICE, HELP WITH A PROBLEM OR WANT SOMEONE ON YOUR SIDE, YOU FORFEIT THIS SERVICE! THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE GIVING UP!!!
THE REASON IS: The companies do not want you to have a comparison, especially the Part D plan companies. They want you to keep the same drug plan every year so they can stop covering your drugs and go way up on the price of the ones you already have with them. They also don’t want to pay your agent a commission to assist you. However, these savings do NOT help YOU, OR LOWER YOUR PREMIUM! The company keeps the money, while giving you less service!
At My Part D USA, when you turn 65, we do a comprehensive comparison for BOTH your doctor and hospital coverage and your Part D plan.
BETTER YET, we continue to do that each year for you during the Annual Election Period. This year it is early, Oct. 15th to Dec. 7th. We do not get paid to go the EXTRA MILE for you, but that is why so many people come to us and are so happy with the help we provide. Just read the testimonials!
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on August 31, 2011 in BLOG ONLY, Blog, Drug Plan Enrollment, Drug Savings Tips, Traditional Medicare Supplements, Where do I go for HELP with Part D or Medicare Issues?.
Excellent, REAL PEOPLE, NO ANSWERING TREES!!! The Webster’s Dictionary describes an angel as a supernatural being; a guiding influence…That is My Part D USA! Steve Repoca, Arizona.
I get Testimonials every day from people we have helped through the MAZE of MEDICARE. Some of them are quick and right to the point. Some are funny and some are so touching. You can read hundreds of them by clicking on MORE at the bottom of the ones listed on the right side of this page. It it very rewarding to know that when we talk to you, we really help you relax and begin to understand that even though Medicare coverage can be confusing, you have found a place that is on YOUR side and willing to take the time you need to feel confident you have made the right choices.
Please take the time to read the category section of my blog on the left hand side and search around for topics you are concerned about. If I haven’t covered one of your questions, feel free to write me and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
If you are turning 65, or losing your retirement benefits give us a call. We answer the phone and actually talk to you. You will not push 1 if you want to leave a message or push 2 if you are ready to pull your hair out!!! We are still small enough to CARE and large enough to be experts in Medicare coverage because that is ALL we do.
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on June 15, 2011 in Drug Plan Enrollment, Drug Savings Tips, Traditional Medicare Supplements.
Medigap (doctor and hospital) plans have gone UP! Also, if you are on a Group Retirement Plan, you may be paying an extremely high premium for the same benefits as those on Medicare Plans. Don’t waste your money paying more for the SAME benefits! Tell us you need prices for the Medigap “Plan N” in your state.
We have already saved hundreds of thousands of dollars to seniors all across America who realized that staying on the same Medicare Supplement costs too much after years of increases. RIGHT NOW, there are guaranteed issue Plan N Medicare Supplements! This means no health questions asked. Usually, you can’t change Medigap plans this easily and this may not last, so check it out.
Why spend time trying to save on your medications if you are spending too much on your doctor and hospital care?
Everybody is talking about using COMMON SENSE these days, so get a Medigap cost comparison today!
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on July 23, 2010 in DONUT HOLE HELP, Drug Savings Tips, Traditional Medicare Supplements.
If you are like me and need to lose a few pounds, keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check and stay in shape, you feel pressure to know what to eat and what NOT to eat to maximize your health. There is so much information out there these days (and yes I am adding to it) it can become confusing.
I don’t know if any of you read Bottom Line , but it is a very good periodical you can get by going to BottomLineSecrets.com/gifts and subscribe. There is all kinds of info about health, insurance, investments and relationship advice, really just about everything! My grandmother has made sure I get a new subscription every year for a long time now.
Here is a list of foods we have been told are not good for us, but really can be healthy.
1. Iceberg Lettuce: Just because it is not dark green does not mean it has no nutrient value. Iceberg contains lutein and zeaxanthin. These are carotenoids that reduce the risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration leading to blindness in older adults. My Dad had this and really suffered.
2. Watermelon: Although watermelon is sweet, it contains 40% more lycopene than fresh tomatoes. It may be helpful to let you know that canned tomatoes have much more of the cancer fighting lycopene than fresh ones do.
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on July 8, 2010 in Drug Savings Tips, WELLNESS & HEALTH.
QUESTION: I entered in my drugs on your comparison and only got the monthly totals. When I go to other websites I get different results because of the yearly totals. Why is this and how can I understand the best plan for myself?
ANSWER: If you read the blog all year and go back through the “category section” on the left side of this page and read “drug savings tips” you will understand how you can maximize your savings on Part D drug plans.
The only thing you need to worry about is saving the most on the first 2, 830 worth of drugs your purchase in 2010. You need to find a plan that: 1. Covers every one of your medications. 2. Saves you the most in co-pays.
The only people who need to worry about yearly totals are those that get to the 95% coverage and you need to blow through your drug plan as quickly as possible and get to the 95%.
All other folks need to STOP using your drug plan when you get to the “dreaded donut hole” because drug plans charge more during this time to make up for when you were paying co-pays. If you read my other blogs about SHOPPING AROUND, you will understand that you can save much, much more by not using your drug plan anymore when you reach the donut hole. Go online, go to Wal-Mart, Sams, CVS and every store in your area to get the cheapest price…not the one your drug plan charges you.
If you begin 2010 by not buying your generics using your drug plan and getting them for $4 you will not fall into the donut hole as quickly, because as I have said too many times, even though your drug plan’s co-pays are small for generics they ding you 30, 40, up to $60 dollars toward the donut hole.
By following just these two pieces of advice you will maximize your Part D benefits. That is why your yearly total is useless information, unless you intend on doing exactly what your insurance company wants you to do! Get it? Got it? GREAT!!!!
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on November 25, 2009 in Drug Savings Tips.
This just in from a caring reader:
Hi, Karyn. It is J. Adams in Kentucky again….just read your article on “YOU HAD BETTER SHOP AROUND”. You are absolutely correct in that generics do not have to be charged against your $2,830 you get in drug benefits before you hit the “dreaded donut hole” in 2010. In fact, even though most pharmacies will ask for your medicare number, you must DECLINE this and end any possibility the pharmacy can charge your Part D plan. I use Krogers and get a 30 day supply of generics for $4 each. In the beginning they asked for my Medicare number and Social Security Number. I SIMPLY DECLINED AND TOLD THEM I’D BE PAYING FOR MY GENERICS MYSELF. No problem from them after that! I also told them they had no need for that information.
Please feel free to pass this tip onto your other people with these questions Please tell your people there are other ways they can verify who you are. Kroger uses my date of birth and the last 4 digits of my telephone number.
It works just fine!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT GREAT TIP, J. in Kentucky
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on November 17, 2009 in Drug Savings Tips.
I am not yet on Medicare, but every time I go into a pharmacy I check to see what kind of programs they have for Medicare beneficiaries. Yesterday at CVS I saw a plan where they have over 400 generic drugs for $9.99 for a 90 day supply. I know that Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam’s Club and many other places have these plans as well. You may ask, “but why should I do this when my co-pay is cheaper than that?” Even though your co-pay is $4, your drug plan dings you $20, $30 or $40 dollars or more because it is the RETAIL PRICES that count toward your donut hole amount of $2,700. This pushes you closer and closer into the donut hole. DON’T BUY YOUR GENERICS ON YOUR DRUG PLAN! SAVE YOUR $2,700 FOR BRANDS YOU MUST HAVE THAT ARE MORE EXPENSIVE.
I also asked the pharmacist if they made claims on your Part D drug plans when you had this program and he told me absolutely NOT! The reason I asked them that is I have recieved many emails from readers telling me their pharmacist said it was against the law if they didn’t file a claim. This is a downright LIE! They just get a higher re-embursement if they file a claim. If your pharmacist tells you this, give him/her my number and I’ll report them to Medicare or you can do so yourself at 800-633-4227.
Many of you are now in the “DREADED DONUT HOLE” . Please know that if you begin 2010 by using these generic programs instead of using your Part D plan on your generics you will stay OUT of the donut hole months longer next year!
ONE MORE THING: Read your monthly drug plan statements like it was your bank statement. See what claims have been charged to you to push you further and further towards the donut hole. Many people report duplicate claims.
YOU MUST SHOP AROUND! Even on my own meds, I found huge differences in prices from one pharmacy to the next on the same exact medication. One medications was $127.00 at one pharmacy and $67.00 at another pharmacy. Don’t just pay them, tell them you can get it cheaper down the street. Shop around and find the best price either locally or online. When you are in the DREADED DONUT HOLE, YOU CAN’T BE FAITHFUL AND USE YOUR PART D PLAN, YOU MUST GET YOUR MEDICATIONS ANYWHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM CHEAPER NOT USING YOUR DRUG PLAN! YOUR PART D DRUG PLAN IS NOT FAITHFUL TO YOU!
If you know you will get to the 95% coverage , then you must use your drug plan through the donut hole….but if you fall in, never to get out for the year….just act like you don’t even have a Drug Plan, except you must continue to pay the premiums or be penalized.
I know I sound like a broken record, but I’m still getting so much email on this subject! Hope this helps.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
: Your Integrity Will Affect Your Destiny; Don’t Leave Home Without It!
Please write to me, Karyn Blake, here at My Part D USA’s blog at kblake@MyPartDusa.org. Or you can email this article to a friend.
Published by mypartdusa on August 11, 2009 in Drug Savings Tips.
