Who Should Consider Joining Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

October 25th 2005

There are various Medicare Plans and not every Medicare recipient needs to join Medicare Part D.  You will need to research the plan you currently have and decide if Medicare Part D can save you money.

Original Medicare Plan

Many Medicare recipients are covered on the Original Medicare plan.  This is a fee-for-service plan that covers many health services and certain drugs.  This plan is good because it will allow you to go to any doctor that accepts Medicare. 

You can buy separate coverage that covers what Medicare calls the “Medigap”.  This is called Medicare Supplement Insurance, and is bought from a private insurer.

If you have this original Medicare Plan you may consider joining Medicare Part D for the prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plan

The second Medicare Plan is called Medicare Advantage.  These plans, which include HMOs, PPOs and PFFS plans may cover serves and have lower out-of-pocket costs than the Original Medicare Plan.  With some of the HMO plans you may be limited to certain doctors and hospitals. 

Many recipients under these plans will usually have some or most of their drugs covered. 

According to Medicare “If you currently have prescription drug coverage from your plan, you will get a notice from your Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health Plan about your prescription drug choices. Read any materials you get from your plan carefully.”

Medicare Drug Plans

Medicare prescription drug coverage starts January 1, 2006.   You can get prescription drug coverage no matter how you get your Medicare health care.  According to Medicare those under the Original Medicare program should seriously consider joining Medicare part D and investigate the various plans. 

By Dan Wilson
Best Syndication Staff Writer

Medicare Books

Keywords and misspellings:  Medicare Medecare Medicair Medicaire plan d