|
Senior prescription plans are set up to help defray the costs of elderly people. The programs may be federally or state funded, depending on where you live. There are also a variety of premiums, deductibles, co-payments, covered drugs and participating pharmacies which can mean a large difference in total yearly cost depending on your medical situation and those medications that you either are or may be expecting to take. Medicare provides a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder search page that provides a list of the many Medicare prescription plan providers by state and county. The monthly premiums and the annual deductible listed may be close in comparison or be large, depending on whether they cover generics only, some brands, whether they provide gap coverage or not, etc. A big concern for many who need the coverage is that there are so many providers with so many possibilities that they need to weigh to get the best provider. You can even join online on the Medicare website. It is important to take a yearly review of the coverage that you have under a senior prescription plan through Medicare because the out-of-pocket costs may greatly escalate even if monthly premiums don't go up. There are also non-federal prescription plans available in some areas. To enroll in the programs, you generally have to meet certain minimum age and income requirements which can vary depending on whether you are married or not. Depending on the plan, you may pay the full prescription prices until you meet the set deductible. Some of these plans are to capture those individuals who may not be eligible for Medicare. Some links to senior prescription plans in two states include: New York State - Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program Illinois - Illinois Department on Aging There are so many possibilities with senior prescription plans that it pays to thoroughly investigate before committing to one that is right to you as well as avoiding those which may cost you much more money for the same prescriptions. Be sure that the information that you intend to make a decision with will apply to you and to the geographical area where you reside. Copyright 2008 on Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle. Privacy, terms of use, and contact page. |
|