Medicare drug plans
February 16, 2006 6:20 AM Subscribe
I need to pick a Medicare drug plan for Mom. Is there a resource that explains the plans in relatively easy to understand language?
Response by poster: Thanks NC--great website! Mom did carry me for 9 long months and went through 49 hours of labor pains--it's the least I can do ;-)
posted by sandra194 at 6:59 AM on February 16, 2006
posted by sandra194 at 6:59 AM on February 16, 2006
I made a Medicare Drug Finder tutorial, because the online app is so terribly awful.
Also, be warned, there are several "bugs" in the application that cause underestimates of the actual costs of the plans. (I'm not joking.)
posted by gramcracker at 7:29 AM on February 16, 2006 [1 favorite]
Also, be warned, there are several "bugs" in the application that cause underestimates of the actual costs of the plans. (I'm not joking.)
posted by gramcracker at 7:29 AM on February 16, 2006 [1 favorite]
This Medicare law is the worst thing to come out of congress in years. I spent two full days helping a friend who had to choose among 45 different plans. They all have different levels of coverage and premiums. If you mother is currently taking medications you must check the formulary for each plan to see if her particular medications are covered. A senior citizen that doesn't have access to a computer to analyze the plans is totally screwed.
Here is the important part. She has until May 2006 to sign up for a plan -- any plan -- and start paying premiums. For every month after that she delays, she will have to pay a 1% penalty for the rest of her life. If she waits 12 months she pays a 12% penalty each month. (Congress did this to force payments into the hands of the drug and insurance lobbyists as quickly as possible).
One thing you might consider if your mother does not currently have much need for a prescription plan is to buy the cheapest one available. A few are less than $5 per month. They don't provide much coverage, but they will do fine as a placeholder to avoid future penalties described above. She can change later to a better plan, once a year on the anniversary date, which I believe is November of each year. This law is so screwed up that I suspect that congress will be making substantial changes to fix it up and this way you aren't committing yourself to an expensive plan that may change. You can let the dust settle and make a more informed decision later.
posted by JackFlash at 10:22 AM on February 16, 2006
Here is the important part. She has until May 2006 to sign up for a plan -- any plan -- and start paying premiums. For every month after that she delays, she will have to pay a 1% penalty for the rest of her life. If she waits 12 months she pays a 12% penalty each month. (Congress did this to force payments into the hands of the drug and insurance lobbyists as quickly as possible).
One thing you might consider if your mother does not currently have much need for a prescription plan is to buy the cheapest one available. A few are less than $5 per month. They don't provide much coverage, but they will do fine as a placeholder to avoid future penalties described above. She can change later to a better plan, once a year on the anniversary date, which I believe is November of each year. This law is so screwed up that I suspect that congress will be making substantial changes to fix it up and this way you aren't committing yourself to an expensive plan that may change. You can let the dust settle and make a more informed decision later.
posted by JackFlash at 10:22 AM on February 16, 2006
Wow gramcracker. You did a great job with that. i'm sending it to my Mom
posted by culberjo at 1:20 PM on February 16, 2006
posted by culberjo at 1:20 PM on February 16, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ND¢ at 6:30 AM on February 16, 2006