what is Medicare type D?

Question

how does t work and what does it cover

Answer 1

The new Medicare Part D benefit pays for prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries who sign up for it. Medicare Part D is structured like a catastrophic insurance policy--and Medicare beneficiaries need to select the plan based on what prescription drugs they are taking and which of these drugs the plan will pay for. The kinds of drugs that are covered depends on what policy a Medicare beneficiary signs up for. Most Medicare Part D plans will pay for covered drugs up to a specific annual amount. Then the "donut hole" kicks in--this is the gap where the individual has to pay until the "catastrophic" prescription drug coverage kicks in.

Many seniors who are not taking a lot of medications now, don't think Medicare Part D is a good deal for them. Added to this, there are lots of different companies with lots of different kinds of plans--this can make selecting a plan very confusing! And, right now, the companies offering these plans are changing their benefits before the next enrollment period which will begin November 15th and last through December 8th--so, there are lots of seniors and caregivers asking questions about this benefit.

There are lots of folks saying that Part D is "not much help." You will want to find out whether this is true for you or not. To answer this depends on several factors, including what kinds of prescription drugs you take, what kind of plan you are willing to accept and pay for, and whether the plan you want will pay for the specific prescription drugs you need. The way Part D Medicare is structured is definitely not a "one size fits every senior" deal. Each individual--even husbands and wives--needs to go through the process to determine what plan is going to meet their needs and will be the "best deal,"

After looking at the plans available in your state, you may determine that at this time it does not pay to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. While this may be true, you also need to speculate on whether the costs of your medications will escalate in the future. This is because for every month after May 15, 2006 that a Medicare beneficiary opts not to participate in Medicare Part D, the federal government will apply a 1 % (one percent) a month penalty. So, for example, if one was eligible and decided not to enroll in May 2006 and waited until November, this person will pay a five percent higher premium on this benefit for the rest of their life than the person who enrolled in a plan in May 2006.

I do not know about the specific plan benefits where you live--but I can tell you that if you live in the USA or one of its territories, there are objective professionals not far from where you are who can help you sort out your options based on what you need and want so you can make the best decision possible--the folks at your Area Agency on Aging.

Area Agencies on Aging are one of the best kept secrets around for folks who need information about consumer issues and Medicare Part D . They work with a lot of seniors everyday, so they are great resources who probably know the "scoop" on the different plans. (And they are not trying to sell you anything!) So, you might consider calling your local Area Agency on Aging. If you live in the United States or one of the territories, there is one serving your area. You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the one serving you. Each Area Agency on Aging has professionals available to answer questions like this one. You will most likely find the people there friendly and very helpful.

When you confer with these folks, it is important to know the name of the drug that you're taking, the dosage required and the pharmacy that you prefer to do business with. All of these are factors you'll need to determine the best plan for you.

If you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know. Area Agencies on Aging don't have big budgets for advertising and certainly don't have big budgets for the important work they do. Your local Area Agency on Aging would appreciate your voluntary contribution to help them support their work with other folks who have questions about this and other benefits important for seniors and caregivers--yet, a contribution is not required in order to get information and enrollment assistance with Medicare Part D.

Other credible sources ofinformation about Medicare Part D is The Medicare Rights Center and www.medicare.gov.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 2

Medicare section A covers well being facility expenditures and he will pay no rates for it. because I have section B and Blue go/Blue preserve as a secondary coverage i will no longer help you with regards to the different parts of Medicare. even with the indisputable fact that i keep in mind that Medicaid and different coverage plans REQUIRE someone to enroll for Medicare to reduce down on their personal expenditures. parts B, C and D all have rates. If his SSDI is low sufficient (and it probable is considering he must be dealt with at a low value facility) that's available that the state will pay his Medicare rates, co-will pay and deductibles. you should opt to coach at your county welfare place of work to work out about that; some states are not any further doing this regrettably. you could also contact social protection to get a e book which could be efficient.