Medicare Part D enrollment is open

15 October 2023, 03:57 PM

quote:
It’s that time of year when almost every American senior 65 and older must get online to reshop their Medicare Part D plans. This is one of the most ridiculous requirements we place on seniors. They are forced to analyze their Part D plans each year to ensure they are not being taken advantage of. Even if nothing whatsoever has changed with their prescriptions.

It's especially important to review Part D plans this year. Shockingly, the least expensive stand-alone Part D monthly premium is less than one dollar. In Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the Wellcare Value Script plan is priced at 50 cents per month. In 2023, that same plan carried a premium of $8.60.

What is going on for 2024?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/mone...s-really/ar-AA1iaj3j

I checked our available plans, and Wellcare is offering a zero dollar per month plan in our area. Deductible is $545, versus the next cheapest plan at $9.90 a month with a $280 deductible. Neither of us is on any regular prescription meds. The only prescription we have filled occasionally is Mr wtg's antibiotic that he takes before dental procedures. His orthopedic guy recommends it because of the hip hardware. When we pick that up, we usually do it under GoodRx or Single Care. It ends up being cheaper.

Here's the Consumer Reports guide for shopping for Part D plans. It's from last year, but still a good starting point.

https://www.consumerreports.or...ug-plan-a6788874634/

This is such a pain....

15 October 2023, 04:44 PM

Axtremus

I keep saying “single-payer universal healthcare FTW!”

16 October 2023, 08:46 AM

QuirtEvans

Medicare is single payer.

The wrinkles come around the fact that there are certain costs associated with Medicare, and it doesn't cover absolutely everything, and so private companies have rushed to offer alternatives.

Everything I have read says to be skeptical of the private companies, unless you cannot afford to pay what you need to pay under Medicare. The denial rates for procedures are far higher.

16 October 2023, 11:10 AM

AdagioM

quote:
Originally posted by QuirtEvans:
Medicare is single payer.

The wrinkles come around the fact that there are certain costs associated with Medicare, and it doesn't cover absolutely everything, and so private companies have rushed to offer alternatives.

Everything I have read says to be skeptical of the private companies, unless you cannot afford to pay what you need to pay under Medicare. The denial rates for procedures are far higher.

Do you mean the Medigap/supplements that go with Medicare A/B, or the Advantage plans?

We don’t qualify for Medicare yet, but need to figure out stuff for Mr. AM’s mom.

This article was in the NYTimes, full of info. Gift article about navigating the Medicare ads