General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYou all do know that with Medicare
you have to renew your drug plan each year. And you had better make sure that the drugs you take are covered, each year. They can and do change what is covered every year. So, don't just simply renew. Do some checking first, before you end up in a position that puts you in the poor house.
This sucks and it's a shame it's allowed to happen. How are elderly people to keep up with this and make sure their needs are taken care of. It's a burden. Trying to figure this out each year for my mother, is a real pain in the ass. If people want real competition, you have to make the plans equitable. Otherwise it's just a scam.
I, however, I don't want competition. I want every single person to be able to access healthcare. Treating patients like they are consumers is wrong headed and simply repugnant to me.
Kurovski
(34,655 posts)I don't see that that has changed. I know my relatives who are retired have to pay close attention.
my doctor has been able to advocate the insurance company for me on two occasions. both times the items were "natural" and far cheaper than the alternatives. Sometimes it pays to be a bit pushy. I'm very lucky to have found a doctor who is great to work with She's a mercy in my life.
I think the whole competitive for-profit system is obscene. incomprehensibly inhumane.
boston bean
(36,217 posts)Each year, you have a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year. There are 2 separate enrollment periods each year.
Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage.
What can I do?
Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage.
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.
Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
When?
October 15December 7
http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan.html#collapse-3190
Kurovski
(34,655 posts)including Medicaid. I can change anytime
Part D took over what the states once did. I could get any medically necessary item from the pharmacy, in order for that to continue to be true after the switch, the states made it possible for enrollees to change plans anytime to get the required meds at any time.
As it would seem.
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)Demit
(11,238 posts)boston bean
(36,217 posts)on our elderly.
And that is has followed through directly to the ACA speaks volumes. Same as it ever was.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)You can only CHANGE it during open renewal, but if you want to keep the same plan, you don't have to renew or do anything.
ETA: I have found the aarp pdf to be a good one for basic Medicare questions:
http://www.aarphealthcare.com/content/dam/aarphealthcare/docs/medicare-made-clear.pdf
snappyturtle
(14,656 posts)two years on Medicare I've just recently started using it...whew!
I thought I might be in a whole lot of hurt.
boston bean
(36,217 posts)you may find that your costs have increased, or that the formulary is not the same.
Auto renewing is renewing and agreeing to the plan as it will exist for that next year. Auto renewing doesn't mean your plan has to stay the same as when you first signed up for it.
boston bean
(36,217 posts)Each year it can change and one better be doing due diligence.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Holy shit, you need a PHd to figure your way through all that crap. I'm grateful that I have coverage right now and that I live in MA, but once I'm on medicare, it's gonna be torture trying to figure this all out. Not looking forward to it.
lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)It renewed automatically. However, in January I moved to another state, and had to get coverage for KY, which was similar but not exactly as my coverage in GA.
boston bean
(36,217 posts)Because the formularies and cost can change year over year.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,431 posts)ALF and nursing homes without family and or friends to assist them ever get the plan that pays for the majority of their drugs. I think that's the whole idea. People pick a plan and then they end up paying Tier 3 prices.
theboss
(10,491 posts)In the best interest of long-term care facilities to make sure that their patients have coverage.
I actually think that - long-term - we are more likely to move to some kind of quasi-Kaiser model than a single payer model. One of my hospital clients is already exploring the possibility of paying for coverage for patients who are chronic users of their ERs.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)type of information as we discover it.
So we can help people have a better quality of life, and somewhat foil the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries' "scam the sick for profit" schemes.
What is in the hearts and minds of people who would do such a thing?
-----
The Wolf Of Indianapolis: Scene II
"Ron, I just figured out how we can increase profits by 16.4% this year. All we have to do is change which drugs we cover under Medicare each year. Most of the grannies out there won't be watching for this, so by my analysis, 66.6% of them will get burned on at least one drug switch every year. And...and here's the clincher...if we switch the expensive critical life saving drugs they need, the grannies we scam won't be able to afford them, and they'll die off quicker, saving us even more money! We simply let them die!
(Dramatic pause for emphasis and impact)
This translates into $3.2 gazillion in increased profits this year.
(Audible sharp intake of breath)
"Brilliant, Rand, just brilliant. I'm very proud of you, son, you remind me so much of me when I was your age. We're giving you a raise, and a hefty golden parachute." (Sympathy For The Devil begins to play-cliche in the background ~ "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste...cuz what's puzzlin' you is the nature of my game, oh, yeah"
(End of Scene II)
So, what kind of people would even think about doing such awful things?
(Hints: Republicans, Third Way, and other RWers...because they can. For now.)
ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)My father receives more mail about this than I do about all other things combined.
boston bean
(36,217 posts)They must not understand their plan can change.
WhiteTara
(29,692 posts)I fought for a couple of months and got a drug that used to cost $98 and it is now $24
William769
(55,141 posts)Medicare part D can get complicated you just need to read the new formularies before the new year starts and go from there.
But your right it needs to be a simpler process.