What is a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan?
Medicare Part D is a prescription drug benefit for all people on Medicare ages 65 and older and those under 65 with permanent disabilities. You can get Medicare Prescription drug coverage either from a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan offering prescription drug coverage (MA-PDP).
When should you apply?
Because your prescription drugs will no longer be paid on your Westmoreland Employer Plan card, you may want to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. The annual open enrollment period is October 15th– December 7th. If you are seeking coverage effective January 1, 2020, you should enroll by December 7, 2019. If you miss this deadline there is a Special Enrollment Period but your coverage will not be effective on January 1st.
Special Enrollment Period
Individuals have the chance to join a prescription drug plan (PDP) or Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (MA-PDP) for 2 full months after the month in which you lose your Westmoreland Employer Plan coverage. For example, if you lose your Westmoreland drug coverage on December 31, 2019, you will have until February 28, 2020 to enroll in the Medicare Part D plan. If you are an individual eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid you may join, switch or drop PDP or MA-PDP coverage anytime.
What will it cost to Pay for Coverage?
Premiums will vary across plans and regions.
Is there Financial Assistance to help me pay Premiums?
Medicare Part D provides different levels of financial assistance based on income and asset limits. You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you have Medicare and:
- Have full Medicaid coverage; or
- Get help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B premiums; or
- Get supplemental security income (SSI) benefits
There is no cost or obligation to apply. You, a family member, trusted counselor, or caregiver can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you don’t quality for Extra Help, your state may have programs that can help pay your prescription drug costs. You should contact your state Medicaid office or your state Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for more information.
How do You Enroll?
To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a PDP or MA-PD plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. (You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.)
To join a Medicare PDP or MA-PD:
- Enroll on the Medicare Plan Finder found on medicare.gov or on the website of the Medicare PDP or Medicare MA-PD that you want to join.
- Complete a paper enrollment form
- Call the Medicare PDP or MA-PD
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
When you join, you will need your Medicare number and the date that your Medicare Part A and/ or Part B coverage started. You can find this information on your Medicare card.
