GM Retirees in Lordstown, Ohio: Recap of Top 10 List For Making the Best Choice on MEDICARE Coverage
I wanted to go over several things we discussed at the meeting in Ohio last Wednesday. We also wanted to thank Tony Landers, Pat Moylan and Rosie Janus for inviting us to visit with you. Also, a thank you must go to Paul Hansen, HR Director for 42 years at the Lordstown Plant, for putting us in touch with such a great group of Retirees.
The first speaker was a local pharmacist, Zen Forosty. I was more than thrilled when I heard him talk about the very drug savings tips I have been writing about all year. It means so much when a professional person gives such good advice and I’m sure people will have much more confidance in hearing it from him than from little ‘ole me.
Here is the LIST OF TOP 10 TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR HEALTHCARE AND DRUG SAVINGS.
1. Not all Part D plans are the same. There are over 50 plans in each state.
2. A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL approach is very dangerous.
3. You must choose your drug plan based on your individual needs and the actual drug names that you use. If you take a generic, look up the generic name.
4. You must do a comparison of the drug plans based on the drugs you take. You can do your own pencil work or we can help you do this during the AEP, beginning Nov. 15 – Dec. 31st.
5. Beginning January 1, 2009, buy as many of your drugs OFF THE PART D PLAN as possible. Over 400 drugs are listed on Wal-Marts generic drug list for $4 for a 30 day supply. You can also go to other large retailers if you don’t like Wal-Mart. I WILL EMAIL YOU THIS LIST IF YOU WRITE ME WITH A REQUEST. This tip will keep you OUT of the “DREADED DONUT HOLE” longer in 2009. Please read my other blogs with details of how to do this!
6. When your doctor prescribes a new medication for you, as him for samples FIRST, or as a very helpful lady at the meeting told me, get a 5 or 10 day supply. The reason for this is, you may not be able to take the new med because of the side effects or it may simply not work for you. Every prescription you purchase goes TOWARD YOUR FALLING INTO THE “DREADED DONUT HOLE”. So don’t get a full prescription until you know you will be taking this medication. Please read my other blogs about drug savings tips.
7. Make SURE YOU GET A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT FIRST, before you choose a MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.
8. You have what is called a 63 day Guarantee Issue Period in which to choose a Medicare Supplement with NO HEALTH QUESTIONS ASKED, and NO PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS EXCLUDED.
9. Remember a Plan F is a Plan F, a Plan J is a Plan J, no matter which insurance company you choose. All these Medicare Supplement Plans are regulated by the Centers for Medicare and contain the exact SAME BENEFITS! The only difference is the price you will pay for your premium, and folks there is no sense in paying more than you absolutely must pay to these insurance companies!
As I said before, you may ask yourself, why WILL THEY NOT TELL US?……IT MAY BE BECAUSE THEY GET PAID MORE. The commissions on these MA Plan’s are at least double than if they helped you get a Med Sup first.
I have been very concerned that GM Retirees will join plans that may be harmful for them because of the aggressive marketing of the Medicare Advantage Plans. We have tried to get in touch with as many Retirees as possible, but of course we don’t have any way to do that and just rely on them coming to the website.
It truly is a sad day in our country when this kind of marketing is allowed, just like the crash of the housing markets, the Medicare system is going to fail if it does not get more regulations to make sure our Greatest Generation such as you GM Retirees do not have to be confused about the best coverage for you and your families!!! I could go on and on, but will get off my soap box now.
