My Momma Told ME, You’d Better Shop Around! And Around & Around!
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!
