Is Your Plan Still Good For You?
By Mark Johnson R.CPhT., Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine
Every year just like clock work open enrollment comes around. You are bombarded with letters, cards, and various assortments of “pick me” unsolicited solicitations. Which ones do you look at? Do you even need to look at your options? I know that your head just spins when you start getting things in the mail about prescription plans. Every year there are new plans and with new plans comes new choices. As mom always said, “Window shopping doesn’t cost anything.” You should take a look at what you have and compare it to what will be available for the next year. The best way to do that is to compare the plans with the medications that you are currently taking on a regular basis. Compare what your plan will look like to other plans.
Where can you go to do that? People like myself are always ready to help at no cost and no pressure. Volunteers at the local Area Agency on Aging are there to help too.
By letting someone help you look at your options could possibly mean putting money back into your pocket. Tools like estimated out-of-pocket costs and quality and customer service ratings are just a few things that are at your finger tips. How about checking to see if you will go into the dreaded donut hole or not? That is one of the nice features that Medicare has added to their drug plan finder that has made a big difference to those that I have helped, and I am sure that it could help you too.
There has never been a better time to check out your options. So what is the calendar of events that you might want to make a note of? October begins the open enrollment period. From October 15 through December 7 is the time to make changes to your plan. This is the one time when ALL people with Medicare can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans for the next year. January 1 of the following year is when your new coverage begins. If you did not change plans, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs for the new year will begin on January 1.
I hope you will take the time to look at your options. I could very well save you money. Be well and be well informed.
Mark Johnson, R.CPhT., is with Axtell Rite-Value Pharmacy in Whitesboro, TX. If you have any questions for Mark, he invites you to email him at axtellritevaluepharmacy@suddenlink.net or call him at 903-564-3216.
