How Do I Buy My Generics OFF My Part D Drug Plan Beginning January of 2009??
QUESTION:
I have been reading your blog and thought I would begin buying my generics off my Part D plan as you suggested, however, when I went to the pharmacy they said they could not do this because it was illegal. Is this true, and how do I find a pharmacy that will not bill my Part D plan?
ANSWER: Thank you for that question! I have had many people write in and ask me this, so I called the www.MedicareRights.org and asked them if this was wrong advice or if it was illegal. They said that just like any other insurance plan you have, like your car, home, health etc… you can file your claim with the insurance plan or NOT, it is up to you, and it is NOT illegal. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND GO TO THE CATAGORY SECTION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK ON “DRUG SAVINGS TIPS” AND “DONUT HOLE HELP”. YOU WILL SEE ALL THE BLOGS ON THESE SUBJECTS SO YOU DO NOT MISS ANYTHING!!!
I have found that the Part D Plans do not like me to give out this information, as they want everyone to FALL INTO THE “DREADED DONUT HOLE” as soon as possible. There are some pharmacies that don’t want to let you NOT file your claim on the Part D plan, because they don’t make as much money on the prescription. However, don’t let anyone discourage you from doing this , you will just have to find a pharmacy that will take your instructions either in your town or online. I have also had people write in telling me that they told the pharmacy NOT to file it with their Part D, and they did it anyway.
SO, HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE PHARMACY HAS FILED YOUR GENERIC PURCHASE WITH YOUR PART D PLAN??? I called my local Wal-Mart pharmacy and the pharmacist told me that there is a code in the upper right corner or your ticket that comes with your bag that holds the pill bottles. If it has an abrieviated name of your drug plan, it has been billed to your plan. If it says cash, or it is left blank you will know they didn’t file the claim as you requested.
Probably the best way to avoid confusion is to buy your “cash” purchases at one pharmacy and get your Part D prescriptions filled at another one. This takes a little leg work, but it will be worth it. Even though you are paying the lower co-pay amounts, your drug plan is dinging your account for $20, $30, even $40 or more for the generic, getting you closer and closer to the “dreaded donut hole”. Also, you could order them at an online pharmacy. Do not give them your Part D card and don’t even mention it, as it is not necessary they have this information if you are not billing your Part D plan. If they ask you, tell them you are paying cash and not using a Part D plan. Then make sure, by looking at your ticket, that they actually did NOT file a claim.
It is so not fair that the Part D plans can change the drugs they cover in the middle of the year or stop paying for a drug you need, when you can’t change drug plans in the middle of the year. The drug plans were not written for the benefit of the Medicare beneficiary, but for the benefit of the insurance company. So, you must try to make these plans work for you as best you can until we get some changes made. Please take a few minutes and contact www.MedicareRights.org
and ask them who you can contact to help get these changes through to our next White House administration and your local officials. Nothing will ever be done to get better benefits unless PEOPLE GET SOME ATTENTION AND ARE HEARD!!!! we are marshall dvd download
For now, folks, this is all we have to get any kind of help to pay for our drugs. I am just trying to help you get the most out of your plans through the year. Remember, once you reach the “dreaded donut hole” you should not continue to buy your drugs using your Part D card. You must shop around at that point to save the most money on your medications, because sometimes the insurance company inflates the prices to make up for the loses they incurred while you were paying the lower co-pay amounts.
I hope that you will continue to write me with your comments and suggestions and stories of what is happening to you. It helps everyone else to hear of your experiences.
