Why Is Medicare Part D Confusing?

Can I opt out of Medicare Part D? Do I need a Medicare drug plan if I don’t take prescription drugs? Can I change Medicare Part D at any time?

Most people sign up for Medicare Part D prescription-drug coverage when they are first eligible for Medicare at age 65.Your initial enrollment period starts three months before your 65th birthday, the month you turn 65, and the three months after your 65th birthday.

If you miss your eligibility period you will pay a late enrollment penalty in addition to your regular premium. The penalty is payable for life.

How Does Medicare Part D Work?

Medicare Part D is confusing. Almost no one understands how it works. The few that do know can’t explain it. 800-MEDICARE can’t help, neither can your friends. Most agents have no clue and neither do volunteer counselors.

GA Medicare plan expert Bob Vineyard looks at the most confusing part, Medicare drug plans.

And the folks in Congress who designed the Medicare Part D program don’t understand it and they will never use the plan. Most carrier service reps who answer the phone MIGHT be able to explain their plan but they won’t have a clue about their competitors.

Why is Part D so difficult? Consider this.

The program was designed by folks in Congress who know nothing about health insurance and they turned it over to insurance carriers to manage. If you believe they DO know what they are doing just witness how they messed up Obamacare. And don’t overlook the misnomer for the law . . . the AFFORDABLE Care Act.

WHO thinks Obamacare is AFFORDABLE? How many got to keep their plan no matter how much they liked it? Which of you were able to keep their doctor?

So why do you think they got Medicare drug plans right?

Trust me when I say almost no one understands Part D.

Will I get a lower prescription price if I pay cash?

Medicare prescription drug insurance plans have moving parts. Some have a deductible, others do not. All have copay’s. Some copay’s are a flat dollar amount, others are a percent of the retail price. All plans have the donut hole. All plans have preferred pharmacy’s and drug formulary’s.

Some drug plans have a mail order option, others do not. Some mail order refills will save you money, others will not and some will even cost you MORE than filling at a pharmacy. The preferred pharmacy you use this year may not be favored next year.

Will you pay less for your medications if you pay cash or use a discount like GoodRx vs running everything through your drug plan? Are you better off running ALL your drugs through the Medicare Plan Finder or only checking prices on some of your med’s? Why will I pay a higher copay by using my drug plan vs a discount card?

Can I use a discount drug card like GoodRx?

Why should I buy a drug plan if I don’t need it? What is the penalty for not having a drug plan? Is it the same every month? How long will I have to pay the penalty? Can I pay the penalty from my HSA?

Can I save money by ordering from Canada? Why is it less expensive to pay cash, use a discount card or order from Canada?

Can I enroll in a drug plan at any time? Can I switch drug plans whenever I want? Do I need to review my prescription plan every year or can I just let it renew?

How do I find the BEST Medicare drug plan?

How much are agents paid to help with Part D? Are agents required to show me ALL the drug plans in my area? Why do agents only sell one or two plans? How many drug plans are offered in Georgia?

What is wrong with picking the plan with the lowest premium? Aren’t all drug plans the same? Why do I have to buy my drug plan from an insurance carrier? Many of the policies are from carriers I have never heard of. Why shouldn’t I just buy from the same company that sold me the Medicare supplement plan? Don’t I get a discount for buying Part D and Medigap from the same carrier? Is there a reason why I shouldn’t enroll in the same drug plan as my spouse?

My best friend says her plan is the best. What is wrong with buying the same plan she has? Can I use my PDP with any drug store? Can I continue to fill my prescriptions at the same pharmacy I have always used?