Confused about Medicare’s drug coverage? You’re not alone. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies explains Part D in plain English and shows you how to find the best deal among numerous drug-coverage plan options. Whether you’re new to Medicare or already in the program, you’ll navigate the system with more ease and confidence, avoid pitfalls and scams, and have plenty of help choosing the plan that’s right for you. This easy-to-understand, consumer-friendly guide helps you find out whether Part D affects any drug coverage you already have and weigh the consequences of going without coverage. You’ll find ways to compare plans, identify the one that covers your drugs at the least cost, and make sure you sign up at the right time. And you’ll learn how to minimize your expenses, use the “right” pharmacies, and troubleshoot any problems with your coverage. Discover how to: Decide whether you need Part D Understand how Part D works, from costs to coverage Choose and enroll in the best plan for you Get up and running with Part D Handle the coverage gap Lower your drug costs Join and switch plans Comply with long-term-care rules and rights Challenge plan decisions Avoid scams and hard-sell marketing Now, more than ever, you need clear, reliable information that helps you understand Part D and make smart, cost-saving healthcare decisions. You need Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies offers strategies to cut through the confusions of Part D, either for yourself or for someone you're helping. It explains the programs ins and outs in plain words. It shows you how to avoid or cope with pitfalls and suggests how you can lower your costs or find a better deal. Best of all, it convinces you that you can - yes, you can - handle Medicare Part D!

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 established a new voluntary prescription drug benefit under a new Medicare Part D, effective January 1, 2006. Prescription drug coverage is provided through private prescription drug plans (PDPs) or Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans. Beneficiaries must enrol in one of these private plans in order to obtain their drug benefits. The program relies on these private plans to provide coverage and to bear some of the financial risk for drug costs; federal subsidies covering the bulk of the risk are provided to encourage participation. At a minimum, plans offer "standard coverage" or alternative coverage with actuarially equivalent benefits. They may also offer enhanced benefits. All plans are required to meet certain minimum requirements, including those related to beneficiary protections. However, there are significant differences among plans in terms of benefit design, drugs included on plan formularies (i.e., list of covered drugs), cost-sharing applicable for particular drugs, and monthly premiums. In general, beneficiaries can enrol in a plan, or change plan enrolment, when they first become eligible for Medicare or during the annual open enrolment period. The open enrolment period for 2008 is from November 15, 2007, to December 31, 2007. Plans can change from year to year. Beneficiary needs may also change. Therefore, beneficiaries should review their plan choice annually to make sure that their chosen plan continues to meet their needs.

On Jan. 1, 2006, Medicare began providing coverage for outpatient prescription drugs through its new Part D benefit. Beneficiaries who enroll in Part D may choose a drug plan from those offered by private plan sponsors under contract to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serv. (CMS), which administers the Part D benefit. Beneficiaries have until May 15, 2006, to enroll in the Part D benefit & select a plan without the risk of penalties. This report reviews the quality of CMS's commun. on the Part D benefit. This report: examined 70 CMS publications to select 6 documents to review & evaluate the clarity of these texts; made 500 calls to the 1-800-MEDICARE help line; & evaluated the usability of the Medicare Web site. Illus.

What is the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit? How does it work? Am I eligible? How can I apply? The only book of its kind, this practical guidebook offers the answers to these questions and much more! Whether you're a senior, caregiver, or practicing healthcare professional, The Medicare Part D Drug Program: Making the Most of the Benefit clearly and concisely explains how the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit works, where to obtain clarification and further information about the Program, how and when to apply, and how to use the Benefit to help seniors. In an easy-to-use format featuring simple terminology, this book explains how the Medicare Part D Drug Program meshes with other insurance programs and offers essential information on the Benefit and its components.