A closer look at Medicare prescription drug program; Covering; The Bases

I retired from the state of Maryland government. I have state of Maryland health benefits and Medicare. I received a letter from the Maryland Department of Budget and Management stating they will continue my health and medical coverage, but that I must elect a Medicare Part D drug plan for 2019. What is Medicare Part D, and what do I need to do?

Medicare offers outpatient drug coverage through the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. There are approximately 20 different Medicare Part D drug plans from which you may elect coverage. Every year, during the annual open enrollment period (Oct. 15 until Dec. 7), you may evaluate your Medicare Part D coverage and make changes.

Medicare Part D drug plans have a monthly premium cost (the money you pay each month to be enrolled into a Part D drug plan) and co-payments costs (the money you pay at the pharmacy counter when you pick up your medicines). Each Medicare Part D Plan has a formulary. A formulary is simply a list of medicines that that particular plan covers.

Medicare offers two ways to evaluate the different plans to make the right choice:

Option 1: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) during the annual enrollment period. Have a list of your medicines handy. Also have your Medicare card handy. A Medicare customer service representative will enter all your medicines into Medicare's Part D Plan Finder database. The representative will answer your questions and will enroll you into the plan that best suits your needs. The phone number is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (The TTY line toll-free is at 1-877-486-2048.)

Option 2: Visit www.medicare.gov during the annual enrollment period and use the Medicare Part D Plan Finder Tool to evaluate your options and enroll into a Part D plan that best suits your needs. A helpful video on how to use the Plan Finder Tool is available at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx.

It is imperative you elect a Medicare Part D drug plan during this year's annual enrollment period. The period begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. Once you enroll into a Medicare Part D drug plan, your coverage will be effective Jan. 1, 2019.

Is there any help with the costs of Medicare Part D for state of Maryland retirees who will have to enroll into a Medicare Part D drug plan?

Medicare Part D has monthly premiums; this is the money you must pay each month to join a Medicare Part D plan. The average Medicare Part D monthly premium is $34 a month. The Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program may offer financial relief for your monthly premiums costs.

If your income is below $36,420 a year for a single person; or below $49,380 a year for a married couple, you will want to contact SPDAP by calling 1-800-551-5995 or by visiting www.marylandspdap.com to apply for their program.

Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or [email protected].

Credit: Amy Rubino - Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or [email protected].