Medicare Part D 2010
Picking a Plan: Simple Steps for Picking a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Find out if you are eligible for additional help paying for a plan.
You may be eligible for assistance in paying for your prescription drug plan. To find out what the income guidelines are or to fill out an application for assistance, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or fill out an online application at www.socialsecurity.com or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). You can speak with a SHIP counselor who will help you apply. After you apply for assistance, you will receive a letter in the mail letting you know whether or not you qualify and what steps to take next. Please SAVE THAT LETTER.
Find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
Medicare offers a service to help you find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Their Medicare Plan Finder under My Medicare Tools at www.medicare.gov will help you access the drug plans available in your area. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Select a plan.
Based on the medications you take, the cost of the plan, and whether you can continue to use your local pharmacy, select the plan that is the best fit for your needs.
Contact the Medicare Part D Plan for enrollment material.
Call the plan and ask for an enrollment package or go to the plan Web site and enroll online. Medicare Prescription Drug Plan phone numbers and Web sites are available on the Medicare Web site, or you can request them by contacting a Medicare representative at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Complete the enrollment package and mail.
If you are eligible for additional help, you must still send in an application to enroll in the plan that you choose.
Begin to use your prescription drug card.
Once you have received your prescription drug identification card, please remember to present the card to your pharmacist when having a prescription filled. Contact the plan with any questions about your coverage. Your Hannaford pharmacist is always available to assist you in changing drugs or finding generic alternatives. If you have any questions or concerns about your medications, ask your pharmacist.
The 2010 Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Year
Open Enrollment begins November 15, 2009
If you wish to change the Medicare D Plan you were enrolled in during 2009 you may do so beginning November 15th. This marks the beginning of the open enrollment period that allows you to change the plan you were in and begin a new plan January 1st, 2010. The open enrollment period begins each year on November 15th and ends on December 31st. In the event you wish to change plans you must make your election by December 31st to avoid a penalty. You do not have to notify your current plan if you decide to change plans. Once you enroll with a new plan they will notify your 2009 plan.
If you are satisfied with your 2009 coverage, do nothing.
You will be automatically re-enrolled in the plan you were in if you do not elect to enroll in a different Medicare D Plan for 2010.
When does the plan begin?
Medicare (and eligible Medicaid) participants may enroll in the plan beginning November 15th and the benefits will start January 1, 2010.
Key Dates
October 1, 2009
Medicare began mailing the 2010 Medicare & You Handbook that includes valuable information about all areas of Medicare. Section 2 of the Handbook, pages 62 – 74, is all about the 2010 Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.
November 15, 2009
Marks the beginning of the open enrollment period. First day to enroll in a plan for 2010.
December 8, 2009
The ideal date to have selected a plan and sent in your enrollment application. By having selected and sent in the enrollment application by December 8th you should be added to the Medicare D Plan you have selected and have your identification card by January 1, 2010.
December 31, 2009
The end of the enrollment period, this is the last day to make an enrollment change.
January 1, 2010
The last day to make an enrollment change. Marks the end of the open enrollment period.
Medicare Part D 2011 Plan Overview
Monthly Premium: Costs vary by plan.
Initial Deductible: You pay an annual deductible up to $310.00 (an increase from $295.00 in 2009, but plan deductibles vary).
Initial Coverage Limit: $2,830.00, which is the combined amount of prescription expenses paid by the plan and the co-payments (from $2,700.00 in 2009).
Enter the Coverage Gap (a.k.a. the Donut Hole): After the Initial Coverage Limit has been met, coverage stops and you pay all your prescription costs until your total prescription expenses reach $6,440.00.
Once expenses reach a total combined amount of $6,440.00 (what the plan has paid and what you have paid, including the donut hole), catastrophic coverage begins and your Part D plan pays 95% of covered prescription costs.
**You may be able to choose a plan that will assist you with some of your out-of-pocket costs. Some plans offer additional coverage during the coverage gap, so please review the plans to determine the best plan for you.
Qualifying for additional help
If you have limited income or few assets, you may be able to get additional help from Medicare. You may be eligible for reduced co-payments, lower or no premiums, and a zero deductible. Please review your Medicare & You Handbook for more details or ask your pharmacist for more information.
You may also contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Medicare directly.
Social Security Administration >>
1-800-772-1213
Medicare >>
1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227)
