When one gets to age 65 does medicare pay for prescription drugs?

Answer 1

don't count on medicare to much...you still need suppl. insurance.....most of my senior friends get all their meds over the Internet...

Answer 2

Medicare pays 80% for Part B drugs, that is drugs administered in the hospital or doctors office. Medicare does not pay for prescriptions drugs. For that you need a Part D prescription drug plan.

The way part D was set up, you first pay a deductible of $265 then you pay 25% of the cost until both you and the insurance company has paid $2400. Then you go into the "donut hole" where you pay 100% of the cost until you've paid out of pocket $3850. Then you go into "catastrophic coverage" where you pay 5%. These cost are for 2007 and will go up next year.

There are many Part D plans available. In my state the premium runs $10 to $78, the national average is $32. Many pay the deductible for you and some pay generic drug through the donut hole. All have a formulary which includes the 100 drugs that Medicare says they must cover and all cover many more, but not all, drugs. You pay a co-pay for your prescription but many plans have a $0 co-pay for generics.

You can also get Part D included with many Medicare Advantage plans so you get your health coverage and drug coverage from one company. No medicare supplement policies have Part D any more so if you get on one you'd need a stand alone Part D plan.

Answer 3

You have to get Medicare Part D, which is prescription coverage and costs about $85 a month in 2007. Then after choosing the drug plan you want from a bewildering array of choices -- you still pay a large co-pay for most everything but generic drugs. PLUS, to top it off not all drugs are covered at all. PLUS, after you and the company spend around $3000/year, you have to pay the next couple of thousands of dollars, 100%. THEN, an even more delightful addition, if you do not join a prescription plan at 65, you are penalized each later year if you decide to join, and pay more than if you had joined when you turned 65. So........ they sort of pay for drugs? But it is a maze.

Answer 4

Medicare Part D - Prescription Plan pays for all the drugs covered by other prescription plans. Most plans have a 'tier' system...with the lower tiers having a $20 co pay increasing with each tier to usually a $60 co pay.

If you buy into one of the full health plan-Medicare contractors who have a prescription plan, they are governed by Medicare.

Answer 5

Very minimally. You must sign up for Medicare part D if you want prescription drug coverage and that is going to really make you sick when you see how much you have to pay for the plan co-pays for medicine. You may even need a shrink after you experience the problem. I think I have a little PTSD from it all because I get really angry every time I have to pay out for it.

Answer 6

I have Medicare A & B. Kaiser Senior Advantage takes care of part D prescription drugs, among other things.

Answer 7

you have to get the medicare supplement prescription plan.
regular medicare only pays for Dr.'s and hospitalization

Answer 8

Only if you have part D, now medicare pays for them while you are in the hospital.

Answer 9

NOOOOOO. Are you crazy? Heck no. Why do you think everyone is pissed off? Remember the elderly driving to canada to buy precription medication because it is 20% or our price. If it was paid for by medicare, do you think they would be going all the way to canada? Try to retire as late as possible. Living ain't cheap. Good Luck.

Answer 10

In this country, the already govt. subsidised prescription drugs are further reduced; and become free once a thresh-hold is reached.
Maybe you should be voting for better health care, etc., and join the rest of the first world countries.
:-)

Answer 11

Yes, but for extra $, renewable once a year so if your not taking any important medications wait until you start before putting out anymore money.