Medicare Part D Mistakes

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Exclusive Top 10 Most Common Medicare Part D Mistakes

#1 Selecting a Medicare Part D plan only without checking to see if a Medicare Private Fee for Service (PFFS) Plan that includes prescription medication cover more medical expenses and cost less than Original Medicare and Medicare Part D purchased separately. This combination plan also offers maximum yearly expenses you will have to pay…unlike Original Medicare with a Medicare Part D plan. Courtsey of Lindsay Shearer, Director of Public Relations: CIGNA

#2 Failing to check with your physician to make sure you still need all the medications you are taking, or if there are generic medications you might use instead of expensive brand name medications to help you postpone, or completely avoid, the "donut hole". Courtsey of Lindsay Shearer, Director of Public Relations: CIGNA

#3 Not anticipating medications you might need to add to your medication list. For example, your blood sugar might be borderline right now and you may not need medication if you can control it with diet and exercise. But is that realistic for you or should you see which diabetes medications are on the list of covered medications…just in case. Courtsey of Lindsay Shearer, Director of Public Relations: CIGNA

#4 Don’t stop taking your medications. Stopping your medications without talking to your doctor could be dangerous. Some medications can be life-threatening if you don’t take them exactly as directed, or if you stop taking them abruptly. Courtsey of Megan Schiavone, Account executive, Medco Health Solutions

#5 Don’t take less than the prescribed dose. While you may think it’s all right to take less of a medication than you were prescribed, doing so can affect how well your medication will work and can prolong or worsen the condition you are treating. In the long run, it could cost you more with additional doctor visits and hospitalizations. Courtsey of Megan Schiavone, Account executive, Medco Health Solutions

#6 Ask your doctor before splitting pills. Not all pills can be split safely. For instance, drugs that have special coatings or are slow-release medications should never be cut in half. Only your doctor can advise you on which of your pills you can safely split. Courtsey of Megan Schiavone, Account executive, Medco Health Solutions

#7 Don’t take a medication that was not prescribed for you. The medication that helps someone else with the same condition may not help you and, in fact, could put you at risk. Courtsey of Megan Schiavone, Account executive, Medco Health Solutions

#8 Everyone should have one; late enrollment carries a lifetime penalty. Enrollment runs from November 15th to the end of the year; once the deadline is missed the person has to wait until the following year to get coverage

#9 Keep an eye out for limitations, such as quantity limitations, prior authorizations, and step therapies

#10 Know the actual names of the drugs you want covered ­ not the brand name. For example, if you are taking Zocor, you need to submit the actual name of the drug ­ Simvastatin. Not knowing the drug¹s name can throw calculations off and place you into a plan that doesn¹t fit your needs

Tips provided courtsey of Lindsay Shearer, Director of Public Relations for CIGNA; Woody Eisenberg, Chief Medical Officer, Medco Retiree Solutions; Jacob Milbradt, PharmD, founder and president of MrMedSaver.com; Katalin Goencz CIC Medical Reimbursement Specialist, MedBillsAssist; and Cathy Mears individual benefit specialist at America¹s Healthplan Consultants (a GBL company).

Read Our Top 10 Tips To Successful Medciare Part D Enrollment

Read Our Exclusive Interview With Medicare Part D Experts