Medicare Part D, a prescription drug benefit that began at the start of the year, now has just weeks left before reaching a major deadline.
Enrollment in the program after May 15 will result in paying a higher premium to participate. The premium increases by one percent each month.
‘That’s an increase of 24 percent in two years,? said Lake Orion Walgreens Pharmacist Heather Hamilton. ‘So the longer you wait, the higher your premium gets.?
Walgreens Store Manager Terry Taj said it is not a store issue, but a national issue – and one that could get out of hand if people aren’t paying attention to it.
‘Our corporate offices are telling us that close to 14 million people haven’t signed up yet,? Taj said. ‘The bottom line is, everyone needs to be aware.?
The program should be thought of as ‘insurance? for current or future prescription needs, and is available to those with Medicare Part A and/or Part B.
It replaces the Medicare Discount Card programs.
Each plan has its own unique design for premiums, deductibles, co-pays and coverage gaps.
Hamilton and Taj said visitors to their Walgreens store on Lapeer Road can get a detailed plan summary using the ‘Walgreens Rx Savings Advisor? computer program.
There are somewhere between 50 and 75 different plans to choose from, and the ‘Savings Advisor? program will show what medications fit into what price category (such as preferred generics, preferred brands and other price categories).
‘They don’t have to choose us as a pharmacy,? Hamilton said. ‘We’re just trying to help.?
‘People can see where they fall in with the sub-tiers,? she said of the Savings Advisor.
‘I don’t think physicians think in terms of cost to the patient and I think it’s our job to help a bit,? Hamilton said.
The program covers just prescription drugs, and Hamilton said those already covered through work do not need to enroll, though they can look into it if it’s a cheaper option.
In addition, anyone on State Medicaid was automatically assigned to a Medicare Part D plan when it took effect in Jan.
More information about the Medicare Part D program can be obtained by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or go online to www.medicare.gov.