News & Announcements

Part D Medicare Coverage

When it comes to health care prescription benefits, many seniors are taking advantage of the new Medicare Part D plans that have become available since 2004. These plans allow seniors who do not have some kind of supplemental health care coverage for their medications to receive coverage that can reduce the amount you spend on your pills—or even have your medications paid for altogether.

What Benefits Does Medicare Part D Provide?
Medicare Part D plans allow seniors to receive their prescription drugs at a reduced cost out of their own pockets. The plans allow common prescription medications to be covered in part or in full through the use of generics or name brand medications that are commonly prescribed to seniors. If the drugs fall into generally prescribed classes, Medicare Part D coverage kicks in.

The insurance works to reduce the amount of out of pocket costs in concert with the other medical care provided by Medicare's other parts. The Part D plans are not provided directly by the government; as a result, the types of drugs covered can vary. Consequently, someone looking into Part D plans should shop around and find the plan that covers the drugs in their regimen. Extra help may be available that covers the Medicare Part D premiums.

To qualify for Extra help: Your annual income must be limited to $16,245 for an individual or $21,855 for a married couple living together.  Your assets must be limited to $12,510 for an individual or $25,010 for a married couple living together.  Assets include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.  We do not count your house and car as assets.

Medicare Part D is the prescription drug program available to Medicare recipients that gives them several options to help pay for their medications. Each company that's part of it is privately-run and will vary from the next, but each meets the standards required by the government. It's an optional benefit and it will cost you a monthly fee if you take part.

Since each company's plan is different, there's a wide variety of drugs covered in Part D health insurance that can be good (or bad) depending what you require, so it's important to research before you pick one. Get a clear understanding before deciding so you do not face penalties for changing your mind later on, considering things like: 1) Do you already have drug coverage that Medicare considers "creditable coverage."; 2) What prescriptions are you taking and how much does each cost you each time you have them filled?; 3) Do you have a good grasp of the information in the "Medicare & You" pamphlet or details you found online?; and 4) which Part D plan best meets your needs and desires for specific drugs?

What is open enrollment for Part D drug coverage?
Open Enrollment is the time of year in which you can enroll in a Part D plan or switch plans. The Open Enrollment period begins on November 15 and ends on December 31 of each calendar year.

If I enroll during this time, when does my Part D coverage begin?
If you enrolled between November 15, 2009 and December 31, 2009, your Medicare Part D coverage began on January 1, 2010 and will continue for the entire year.

Is there any other enrollment time?
You may initially enroll in a Part D plan any time from 3 months before to 3 months after your 65th birthday. For example, if you turn 65 years old on June 4, you may enroll in a Part D plan anytime between March 4 and Sept 4.

*You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:
Local Contacts:
Call an Information Specialist at 2-1-1 or 800 826-7871
E-mail our Information Specialist at info@nwi-ca.org
OR
National Contacts:
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778