Manatee's Medicare counselors set to help enrollees
LaMastro, who often says, "the devil is in the details," when it comes to analyzing annual
SHINE, two decades old, is a national program funded by grants through the Centers of
"
LaMastro and her colleagues try to find programs that lower prescription drug costs or provide prescription drugs at no cost.
Open enrollment, which occurs once a year, is the best chance to change plans in
Part B provides reimbursement for doctor's office visits, lab tests and medical services. It can also cover wheelchairs and walkers if prescribed.
Part C is a separate component that allows private health insurance companies to provide
"Part C of
Part D is drug coverage available through private drug companies or HMOs or PPOs," LaMastro added.
"Everyone should have gotten their plan changes by
move from a Tier 2 drug to a Tier 3 drug that will cost me more for a co-payment? They don't check to see if the drug store they were using in 2015 will still be a preferred drug store in 2016 and if their deductibles have been raised."
What the counselors do during hour long meetings is present facts and answer questions to help seniors formulate strategies, said
"
Some
That includes people who are 65 or older but have chosen to not yet receive
"About 70 percent of
"There's a provision in federal law involved with cost-of-living adjustments, also called COLA, that has a 'hold harmless' provision," LaMastro said.
Because a cost-of-living adjustment will not take place in 2016, the premiums of those who are on
Many impacted have held off drawing
About a half dozen people attended LaMastro's first meeting at the
"I have talked to a SHINE representative before and I was considering making a change so I thought I would just catch up on information," said attendee
"We're here to get some answers and clear up the mass of confusion that surrounds this," McCormick said. "I have
Focus on Part D this year
LaMastro urged people Friday to take a hard look at Part D of
LaMastro showed figures using a Manatee County Medicare client as an example.
"This client, if she goes to a preferred drug store, her whole drug cost for 2016 including her premium and copays will be
The reason for the difference involves the relationship between drug plans and drug stores.
"The individual prescription drug plans, of which there are 17 in
In years past, mail order has always been the cheapest alternative for drugs, LaMastro said.
"This year you have to check the difference between mail order and preferred drug store to see which one is the best value for your drugs," LaMastro said.
Seniors in
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