Mark your calendar. October 15th to December 7th is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP.) During this time Medicare beneficiaries can change Medicare Advantage ( Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans with ease. Plan or coverage changes go into effect January 1, 2018. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Plan C or Plan D […]
My clients regularly ask why brand name medications are so expensive. This great article by WSJ reporter Denise Roland helps explain the game. “In traditional marketing, a product line extension is the use of an established brand name for a new item with new flavors, forms, colors, added ingredients, package sizes.” Novo Nordisk repackaged its […]
CMS reports the average 2018 monthly premium for a basic Part D prescription drug plan will be reduced by $1.20 to $33.50. In addition to the monthly premium other Part D variables Medicare beneficiaries should compare are: Plan Formulary – not all plans are alike. Check and confirm your medication is included in the list […]
On January 1, 2006, the US federal government introduced a program to subsidize the costs of prescription drugs and prescription drug insurance premiums for Medicare beneficiaries. You must enroll in a Part C (Medicare Advantage with Drug) or Part D (Stand Alone Prescription Drug) plan to participate in this federal-government-subsidized drug program. Here’s a summary on how […]
…. it’s great to hear results. Just before Thanksgiving I met with a recently widowed woman who was reeling from her loss and struggling to make sense of her health plan costs and dramatically reduced monthly income. When she disclosed her assets and monthly income, I explained to her some programs she was likely eligible for and provided assistance with the enrollment […]
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State Program that provides seniors with co-payment assistance for Medicare Part D prescription drugs. Members must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan. including any Medicare Advantage plan with Part D prescription drug coverage Provides secondary coverage for Medicare Part D […]
EPIC, (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps eligible seniors supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Eligibility requirements are: Resident of New York State Age 65 or older Income up to $75,000 (single) or $100,000 if married. EPIC offers two plans, […]
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. The New York State 2014-15 budget included the expansion of the program to cover the prescription needs of […]