Senior Marketing Specialists University

MEDICARE PART D SECTION 3

TRACKING THE COVERAGE GAP

Carriers will send out statements when their members purchase prescription drugs to show them the costs, how close they are to the coverage gap, and if the member is in the coverage gap, how much further they need to go until they reach catastrophic (post coverage gap) coverage.

FORMULARIES

Formularies are the list of covered drugs each plan has.  Each carrier has the ability to choose what drugs they will cover and place in them in the tier level of their choosing.

Most plans have a 4 or 5 tier level system:

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It is important to make sure the drugs they are currently on match the tier levels or your clients are aware of the different tiers so there are no drastic cost differences.

NETWORK VS PREFERRED PHARMACIES

Network pharmacies are pharmacy locations members can use

Preferred are in-network pharmacies which have special negotiated prices to help lower member drug costs

Mail order is also a common option.  Many larger Part D carriers own their own mail order service and offer even greater savings to their members

PART D PENALTY

For each month a Medicare beneficiary is eligible for a Medicare Part D plan and does not have one or any other credible coverage, they will be have to pay 1% of the national average for each month they were eligible.

The penalty will be assessed by the Social Security office and will stay with the beneficiary for life.

FLASHCARDS! HOVER OVER EACH CARD 

TO SEE THE CORRECT ANSWER

Who determines the tier that drugs fall in?

Each carrier has the ability to choose what tier a drug falls under.

What is a formulary?

A Formulary is a list of covered drugs that each plan has.

Why is it important to know the formulary of your client's plan?

To make sure there are no drastic cost differences when choosing a plan.