Where Do I Start With Part "D"?
How to begin your
walk through the Part "D" maze
Bob Fassbach, Editor,
www.SeniorArk.com
*SeniorArk
has developed a short series of "plain-English" articles
that give you information on Part D. They will help you
understand how Part D fits into Medicare, exactly what
it is, does it make sense for you, and how do you select
a plan that works for you. Check out these four articles
in the proper order, and things may become clear fairly
quickly. It is critical that you develop a rudimentary
understanding of the way Medicare works, because you
will be making decisions that will impact your finances
and prescriptions for the next year, and many years to
come. So take a few
minutes and look at these 4 pages.
(1) First take a quick
look at a SeniorArk simple, one-page Medicare overview. We call it
Medicare Parts
A, B, C and D (and Medigap) Made
Simple.
(2) Then take a little closer look at
Part D Made Simple..
(3) Now go to
Medicare Part D, Does it Make Sense for Me?.
(4) And finally, if you are ready to select a part D plan,
or Medicare Advantage Plan that works in your area, at
the best price, and that covers your medications, go to
the SeniorArk Part D Plan Finder.
NOTE: If you have
questions about, or problems with these steps, email me.
I answer all email. Your wellbeing has become my
mission. But remember, I cannot really address the ins
and outs of any individual plan, and I cannot make your
decisions for you. The Medicare Part D
Plan Finder can help with that.
* Or call the agency at (800) MEDICARE (633-4227).
Operators can assist callers in navigating the agency's
search engine for qualifying plans, or they can send
written information on each plan.
* State-specific guidance is also available. Go to our
"government
links" page and click your state. That link should
lead you to a site in your state that can help you. Many
states have programs that dovetail in some way with
Medicare, and you will save a lot of money if you find
the right one. For example, my Pennsylvania plan covers
me completely through the doughnut hole!
Other sources
Other organizations also offer phone operators or
websites to help consumers figure out a plan's
specifics.
* The National Alliance for Hispanic Health, an advocacy
group, can answer questions about Medicare Part D
benefits for Spanish-speaking beneficiaries. Unlike in
past years, however, the group cannot enroll
beneficiaries in specific plans. Call (866) 783-2645,
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
* Medicare Rights Center, an independent information
source for all things Medicare, offers telephone
counseling to answer questions about Medicare Part D.
Call (800) 333-4114 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to
6 p.m. (EST). The group's website,
www.medicarerights.org, offers
information on various drug plans and tips on comparing
them.
Low-income help
* Apply for Extra Federal
Help., There is a federal program that helps pay for some
or most of the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage,
if your income and assets are low enough to qualify.
website.
Don't forget to check you state for
many programs like this as well.
also
see:
Part D Fiasco - Congress Can Do Better,
Part D In Chart Form,
All about Part D and Medicare
