Medicare Part D quesion - Page 3

nomless · ‎03-10-2010

Witchy Woman, I don't understand why you have two insurance plans, your Federal plan and Medicare Part B. While you're investigating prescription coverage, perhaps you should also check to be sure that you need both insurance plans. Don't try to figure it out yourself. Contact a certified advisor who can sort out the needs of both you and your husband.

patbz · ‎03-10-2010

As a federal retiree I kept my BCBS as my supplemental and also have SS part B. Yes this is correct and BCBS even had an option for this. DH and I are very happy with this choice.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

@nomless wrote:
Witchy Woman, I don't understand why you have two insurance plans, your Federal plan and Medicare Part B. While you're investigating prescription coverage, perhaps you should also check to be sure that you need both insurance plans. Don't try to figure it out yourself. Contact a certified advisor who can sort out the needs of both you and your husband.

My Federal health benefits plan acts as my supplemental plan in lieu of having private insurance. This is a plan I had as a Federal employee and took into retirement. Medicare Part B does not cover everything.

In addition, my husband is covered under my Federal health plan and is not yet eligible for Medicare.

Yes, I need to speak to someone who knows more than I do, that is obvious.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

I automatically got Part D when it became available (I was already on Medicare). I signed up with Silverscript (CVS) for Part D and have never had to pay more than a few dollars for any of my prescriptions. They just raised my co-pay, but by only a few dollars. I also don't take many meds, so prescriptions are not a big expense for me. I know I'm lucky.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

m2p · ‎06-23-2010

WW, we also have GEHA. My husband has medicare part A (hospital) and has GEHA for part B (doctors office) which also covers prescription drugs.

When his doctor prescribes something we think is too expensive I'll go to the GEHA site and look for generics.

He takes that to his doctor and usually they'll find one of the cheaper versions will work, although that isn't always the case with the newer medications.

I have noticed our drug costs are lower with GEHA than they were with BC/BS.You may try to get 90 day prescriptions, that also saves.

Sometimes the pharmacies have in house programs. It doesn't hurt to ask if they have a cheaper way to get the medication. Many do but won't volunteer the info, you have to ask.

Good luck to you and hang in there.

nomless · ‎03-10-2010

@Witchy Woman wrote:

@nomless wrote:
Witchy Woman, I don't understand why you have two insurance plans, your Federal plan and Medicare Part B. While you're investigating prescription coverage, perhaps you should also check to be sure that you need both insurance plans. Don't try to figure it out yourself. Contact a certified advisor who can sort out the needs of both you and your husband.

My Federal health benefits plan acts as my supplemental plan in lieu of having private insurance. This is a plan I had as a Federal employee and took into retirement. Medicare Part B does not cover everything.

In addition, my husband is covered under my Federal health plan and is not yet eligible for Medicare.

Yes, I need to speak to someone who knows more than I do, that is obvious.

If your Federal plan is a supplemental plan that picks up what Part B doesn't pay, then you probably should look into whether you need Medicare Part A, the hospitalization plan. Good luck to you.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@LilacTree wrote:
I automatically got Part D when it became available (I was already on Medicare). I signed up with Silverscript (CVS) for Part D and have never had to pay more than a few dollars for any of my prescriptions. They just raised my co-pay, but by only a few dollars. I also don't take many meds, so prescriptions are not a big expense for me. I know I'm lucky.

I also use Silverscript and so far am happy with it.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

dkk11 · ‎04-17-2014

I'm a former federal employee not yet 65. When I turn 65, I intend to keep my federal blue cross blue shield basic as my supplement for Medicare A & B and this will also cover prescriptions.

If you take a non federal plan, you may have to buy both a medicare supplement and a separate prescription plan (through private insurance) plus you can never return to the federal medical insurance again. I understand you have prescription costs but between Medicare and the federal employees insurance, you shouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket for other medical services except for your prescriptions. There is also no prescription drug donut hole for you (which will be phased out by 2020 due to the Affordable Care Act) that private medicare plans have.

dkk11 · ‎04-17-2014

In addition to above, Social Security ONLY helps people to get help to pay their Part D premium if they have low income. They do nothing else to help with Part D. You go to private insurance companies to apply. I used to work for SSA so I am quite familiar

with Medicare etc.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

@dkk11 wrote:
I'm a former federal employee not yet 65. When I turn 65, I intend to keep my federal blue cross blue shield basic as my supplement for Medicare A & B and this will also cover prescriptions.
If you take a non federal plan, you may have to buy both a medicare supplement and a separate prescription plan (through private insurance) plus you can never return to the federal medical insurance again. I understand you have prescription costs but between Medicare and the federal employees insurance, you shouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket for other medical services except for your prescriptions. There is also no prescription drug donut hole for you (which will be phased out by 2020 due to the Affordable Care Act) that private medicare plans have.

I think this is the answer I was looking for.

As a former fed, your situation is identical to mine other than your not yet being eligible for Medicare.

You are right, likely the ONLY costs I'm going to experience are certain drug costs, so it is a balancing act.

I do realize if I left the FEBHP, I could NEVER return. That is a big concern as I feel Feds get good insurance coverage under this plan. And, as I said, I need to provide coverage for my husband who is not yet eligible for Medicare.

I'm in the old retirement plan, CSRS, and SS will never be part of my benefits.

I'm going to look at standard option BCBS next time to see if it has better drug coverage. GEHA was excellent, but it upped the amount of what members had to pay in 2016. It might be the same in BCBS, but I'll look closely during the next open season.