Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D has now ended. The information below was for the 2010 enrollment period (Nov. 15 - Dec. 31, 2009).
All the prescription drug plans have changed in some way. It is in every Medicare beneficiary’s best interest to shop around and find the best plan that meets their needs. For a majority of plans, there have been significant increases in the premiums and cost-sharing to be paid by the Medicare beneficiary.
Medicare's Prescription Drug Plan Finder >>
Medicare Plan D information on this page:
Important note about Razadyne and Quantity Limits
Most plans have taken Razadyne off its list of covered drugs (formulary.) In addition, many plans have imposed Quantity Limits (QL) on Alzheimer drugs. Quantity limits restricts the number of pills an individual can receive over the course of a period of time. For example, a Quantity Limit could be 60 pills for a one month period. We have raised the issue with the Medicare agency and have been told that there should not be less than the upper amount of drugs approved by FDA.
Medicare Plan D basics
Open enrollment questions and answers (8 pages)
Information from MAPRx to help beneficiaries decide to switch Medicare prescription drug plans or stick with the one they've got.
2010 prescription drug plan chart
The Alzheimer's Association has developed a chart outlining which Medicare national plans do cover or do not cover Alzheimer drugs, and which plans require prior plan approval for drugs.
2009 prescription drug plan chart Timeline for Medicare prescription drug mailings (4 pages)
Outlines mailings you may receive from CMS (Medicare), Social Security and Medicare prescription drug plans about Medicare prescription drug coverage and what action you may need to take. Important things to consider when choosing a Medicare drug plan for people with Alzheimer’s disease
(3 pages)
With so many drug plans to choose from, this sheet outlines important questions to consider, such as are Alzheimer drugs on a plan's formulary and does a plan’s policies limit coverage of Alzheimer drugs.
Extra help for Medicare beneficiaries in paying for prescription drugs (2 pages)
Outlines who is eligible and how to apply.
Re-assignment for Medicare-Medicaid and “extra help” enrollees
About 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries who receive “Extra Help” have received a tan letter from CMS. These individuals are called “Choosers” because they selected and joined their previous or current drug plan on their own. Their plans’ premium is increasing in 2010 and this group will have to choose a new plan with a lower premium on their own or they will pay a portion of their monthly premium in 2010. CMS will not automatically assign “Choosers” to new plans.
In many states, a large portion of the “Extra Help” or Medicare-Medicaid enrollees should be reassigned. The Medicare agency, CMS, released a list of the state-by-state reassignment numbers. Scroll down the document to find out how many enrollees will be reassigned in your state.
View list >>
Again in 2010, there will be fewer plans (288 nationwide) for “extra help” beneficiaries (also called benchmark plans.) Therefore, beneficiaries receiving the “extra help” subsidy or on Medicaid will have fewer options of plans from which to choose in most states.
Special Needs Plans (SNP) for Alzheimer’s disease
For 2010, there will be three new Special Needs Plans for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Special Needs Plans (also called SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans that specialize their care and coverage for Alzheimer beneficiaries. Only Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease can enroll in these plans. They are: Universal Health Care (two plans) – Tampa Bay area; Medica Complete Solution - Minnesota.
Get extra help paying for prescription drugs
People with Medicare who have limited income and resources may qualify for extra help paying for prescription drugs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are working together to provide this extra assistance.
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People with both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual eligibles”) will automatically qualify for extra help.
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Other individuals may apply for extra help from the SSA.
Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov,
or call the SSA at 1.800.772.1213 for a paper application or to make an appointment.
Get help enrolling in a plan
Get free one-on-one help with Medicare drug coverage and enrollment questions at State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). SHIPs are staffed with counselors to help people with Medicare understand the new drug coverage.
Find your SHIP counselor at www.medicare.gov
Contact the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) where Asian and Pacific Island elders can call to obtain bilingual enrollment assistance and translated information.
NAPCA Web site at http://www.napca.org/
NAPCA national multilingual toll-free helpline numbers:
English: 1.800.582.4218
Chinese: 1.800.582.4218
Korean: 1.800.582.4259
Vietnamese: 1.800.582.4336
Call the The National Alliance for Hispanic Health's bilingual hotline for assistance with Medicare drug coverage enrollment. Individuals can receive help applying for low income subsidies and finding a plan to meet their needs. Call 1.866.783.2645 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET)
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
More information
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The official U.S. government Web site for people with Medicare. Online tools help you find and compare drug plans and enroll in a plan.
Medicare Web site -
AARP has developed an interactive tool called the Doughnut Hole Calculator to help guide consumers to options to reduce their Medicare drug benefit spending. It is a step-by-step tool that will help consumers reduce spending by identifying less costly generic or therapeutically similar alternatives.
AARP Doughnut Hole Calculator -
This site is an information and education source for people who can enroll in the Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Rx Education Network www.medicarerxeducation.org -
Access fact sheets and interactive tools to help answer your questions about Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Access for Patients-Rx (MAPRx) www.maprx.info -
Learn about food stamps, federal rent subsidies and the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Access to Benefits Coalition -
Learn about and enroll in government benefits, including the new Medicare prescription drug coverage as well as other healthcare and prescription drug assistance programs.
BenefitsCheckUpRx www.benefitscheckup.org -
Find resources for reducing the costs of prescription drugs, including Medicare prescription drug coverage, the Medicare-approved drug discount card program, patient assistance programs and more.
Access to Benefits Coalition www.accesstobenefits.org
