Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies

by Barry, Patricia

• ISBN13: 9780470276761
• ISBN10: 0470276762
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-29
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

The easy way to make sense of the Medicare Part D programMedicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies helps readers in different circumstances identify their best options under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. This friendly, easy-to-read guide unravels the complexities of Part D and is an essential tool for consumers making critical decisions about their drug coverage--whether they're new to Medicare or already in the program. It explains how to find the best deal among a bewildering variety of choices, how Part D works with other kinds of drug coverage, how to trouble-shoot problems and avoid pitfalls and scams. It is a valuable resource both for people on Medicare and caregivers trying to help them.Patricia Barry (Chevy Chase, MD ), a senior editor of the AARP Bulletin, is a recognized expert on Medicare Part D.

Author Biography

Patricia Barry is a senior editor at the AARP Bulletin and a recognized expert on the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. During a long career in journalism, she has authored thousands of articles and two guidebooks on healthcare and social policy. Since 1999, she has specialized in writing about Medicare and prescription drugs.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Nuts and Bolts of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

The ABCs (And D) of Medicare

The Rules of the Game: How Part D Works

The Big Question: What Will Part D Cost (And Save) You?

Delving into Drug Coverage under Part D

Extra Help: A Better Deal if Your Income Is Low

Deciding Whether to Sign Up for Part D

Taking Other Drug Coverage and Sources into Account

Considering Coverage if You Take Few or No Drugs Right Now

Confronting the Late Penalty

Choosing and Enrolling in the Right Part D Plan for You

The First Cut: Deciding How You Want to Receive Your Medical Benefits

Making a Smart Choice among Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Buyer Beware: Avoiding Scams and Hard-Sell Marketing

Signing Up for a Part D Plan for the First Time

You're In! Navigating Part D from the Inside

You've Just Signed Up - What Happens Now?

Filling Your Prescriptions

In and Out of the Coverage Gap

Bringing Down Your Drug Costs

Switching to Another Plan

Staying in Long-Term Care (Or Helping Someone Who Is)

You Have Rights: How to Holler and (If Necessary) Holler Louder

The Part of Tens

Ten Ways Boomers Can Help Loved Ones with Part D

Ten Proposed Changes to Part D You Should Know About

Appendixes

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.