I just maxed out and now for the first time in 16 years must pay for all my meds without insurance. The total comes to almost $1,000/month. Any advice?
MKane formerly MK2

Back in April I realized that I was going to max out and have to pay the bulk of May 100% (PD isn't my only health issue). There was no way I could pay the $1,000+ monthly rx bill...not even for one month. I was in a panic. I was in NYS, leading a monthly support group up there, and asked if eveyone who needed Part D had got enrolled.

One of my members there told me a few things about Part D I didn't know. I was enrolled with a plan that DID have the gap, as described by Part D.

BUT, there are plans out there that DO cover the gap. I was stunned..."There are?!?!"

Greatfully for me, it was May 13th. I also discovered that even though I was enrolled in a plan, I could make...one single change...before the 15th.

So, I got on the stick and on the 14th switched to a Human plan that has $7/$30/$60 co-pays, BUT DOES cover the gap...premium about $50 a month. I will pay only copayments for 12 months...never 100%.

Now my goal for Oct/Nov/Dec is to see if I find a better plan for the same premium. I doubt that will be the case, but do believe my premium and/or my copayments will rise for 2007. I suppose it will have to be okay, as 100% is my only option.

Carolyn,

I just qualified for Medicare and haven't bought a supplemental or Plan D plan yet. Where can I get information about drug plans that cover the hole?

thanks,
Carey

Carey, This is the primary page for the Medicare Part D Plan
http://www.medicare.gov/pdphome.asp

While reading all of the information is certainly a good idea, the 5th item down... Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder...is where you will go to find out what is available in your part of WA. You will have to fill in a lot of information, including what meds you currently take. Be sure to have ALL your scripts in front of you, as the search is based on what meds your currently take.

Go to...Find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

The primary problem is that once you have entered all the necesary information, you will find this very long list plans/companies to select from. The site has been upgraded since the first of the year, so it is a bit different than I last saw. But, it should still give you a list of plan by percentage-of-your-medications-covered; e.g. 100%, 85%.

The second problem is finding a plan that is affordable that covers the "gap" that MK is faced with until the end of the year.

I initially took out an AARP plan, but then discovered that the "gap" period was not covered. The support group member told me about his Humana plan, which I enrolled into. I am happy with it. The first $250 of generic costs are paid 100%, then you pay $7 per. The brand are $30. I believe my premium is just under $50 a month, which is automatically taken out of my SSDI.

You will have to spend time online and/or on the phone with the companies until you find the one best for you. BUT, do pay close attention to the enrollment deadline that Medicare provides you.

Oh yes, and don't go by the list of "available pharmacies". Seems that ONLY the national chains come up on the list...go figure...but many, many non-chain pharmacies are also subscribers to filling Medicare rx.