Medicare Insurance Plans
An Introduction to Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans in Ohio
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (also referred to as PDP plans) can help cover the cost of your prescription drugs. Help in covering the costs of prescription drugs is available with the Medicare Part D PDP plan.
Enrollment in a PDP is up to you. If you want Part D coverage, you must enroll through a private health benefits company, like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which has a contract with the federal government to offer the plans.
Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) provide drug coverage only.
In 2010, monthly premiums are expected to be about $31.94 for standard PDPs—and may be lower for those with limited income and resources. However, benefits and premiums vary by company and location.
In general, beneficiaries must use network pharmacies to access their prescription drug benefit, except in non-routine circumstances, and quantity limitations and restrictions may apply.
Why Choose Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for Medicare Part D?
It's not just premiums that vary—it's service, too. We think you'll find that we offer an unbeatable combination of top-notch service and premiums that fit your budget.
You're free to choose the coverage that's right for you. Keeping monthly premiums as low as possible is important to some people, while others want to save as much as possible on out-of-pocket costs.
Just as important, you get the reliability, reputation, and service. And you can rest assured that we'll be here with the quality coverage you need, when you need it—today and tomorrow.
- Coverage beginning as soon as your effective date
- Benefits designed with set fees, taking the guesswork out of what you'll pay for most prescriptions
- Virtually no paperwork
- Dedicated member service staff
- A robust pharmacy network that reaches coast to coast via national chains
When to Enroll
You can enroll in a PDP at different times throughout the year, and there are several different types of enrollment periods. You can sign up only during one of these three enrollment periods:Initial Enrollment Period:
You first become eligible for Medicare the month of your 65th birthday or the month you qualify due to disability or end-stage renal disease. The best time to enroll in a PDP is during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), a seven-month period that starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after the month of your 65th birthday.
For example, if you turn 65 on May 20, 2011, you can enroll February 1, 2011, through August 31, 2011. In general, people who first become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2011, will have the same IEP for Medicare Part D as they do for Medicare Part B.
Annual Coordinated Election Period
If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you’ll have to wait until the next Annual Election Period (AEP). This may result in a late enrollment penalty. If you enroll during the AEP, your coverage will start in January of the new year. If you’re already receiving Medicare, the AEP is your chance to switch coverage options.
Please keep in mind that when you shop for Medicare Prescription Drug and Medicare Advantage plans, the next Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). is October 15, 2011 through December 7, 2011. During AEP, Medicare beneficiaries may join or switch Medicare Prescription Drug or Medicare Advantage plans.Special Enrollment Period :
In certain circumstances, you may sign up for a plan outside of the AEP. A Special Enrollment Period is sometimes available, such as when a person permanently moves outside the Part D plan’s service area or a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan does not renew its contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). There are other exceptional conditions that CMS determines. Beneficiaries who move into, reside in, or move out of a nursing home also may have an Special Enrollment Period. During this time, those eligible may enroll in or change Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans.Please note that if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan and are considering switching to a different plan, such as a PDP:
- There is a Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) in 2012: The next MADP is January 1, 2012, through February 14, 2012. If you choose to dis-enroll from a Medicare Advantage plan during the MADP and your plan includes a drug plan, you will be allowed to sign up for a stand-alone Part D plan to replace the drug coverage that was in your Medicare Advantage plan. This means that if you shop around for another Medicare Advantage plan, you will need to consider changing your plan during AEP (October 15, 2011 through December 7, 2011) because after January 1, 2012, you will not be able to change from your current Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan unless you qualify for a Special Election Period
- As an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield member, if you inadvertently sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage from any other plan, you will be automatically dis-enrolled from your Medicare Advantage plan. If you choose to, you can go back to Original Medicareand get a Medicare Supplement policy. But keep in mind that you can only join or leave a plan at certain times during the year.
