Just got my Silver Script Abridged Formulary.....

I received mine and all the sustained release meds had been moved to TIer 4 and are now going to cost 45% Cant afford it, and called to ask what meds I could switch to as they had moved all of them. NO COMMENT from them

That's my company too, but I'm going to check all the ones as they publish. There's no reason you can't change if you have separate drug policy. I get no assistance.

For those signing up for Medicare for the first time this season: Look very carefully before you sign an "Advantage" policy. Check out the Supplements! The Advantage policies had a $6700 out of pocket this year and the supplement I have cost only about $2000 - no out of pocket! You buy the cheapest supplement because by law their coverage is exactly the same. They don't have drugs or dental, but those can be had very cheaply if you just look them up. Check the formularies!!! That's where there can be a big difference. Anyone on this forum probably wouldn't be accepted into a supplement if you start out with an advantage. Unless the advantage is terminated, supplements are allowed to use preexisting conditions, which they can't if you apply for them right at first. Read the book Medicare published. It's available now.

I have Extra Help so the increases don't effect me.

But the Tier changes got me.

No more free Prescriptions.Only 1 of my BP Meds,Amlodipine,remained at Tier 1.

Now I'll have to pay $2.95 for each.

Take care.

Rick

Post Edited (tidalmouse) : 9/27/2015 11:09:41 AM (GMT-6)

I suppose I have that since I only pay co-pays on certain tiers of meds and those are usually brands. The state pays my premium for medicare and the advantage plan. I'm hoping none of that is going on the fact I still have a dependent child in the home because she's about to turn 18 in May. This is her last year of high school and I get a check on her off my Ssdi as long as she's in school I'm assuming and under 18? I will lose that I believe in May right? She turns 18 and graduates in May.

For those with no "extra help."

There are no co-pays if you get a supplement, or "Medigap" plan - starting on page 99 in your "Medicare and You" booklet. You most likely want to choose an "F" plan.

All the "F" plan coverage is exactly the same. By law! Just choose the cheapest one! You generally have to get them through a broker. I found mine online at the medicare.gov website. There is no "out of pocket," No service areas, etc. good anywhere in the country.

For those who need to be on this forum and just starting Medicare and getting no "extra help," this is the best way to go. You won't qualify to get into this plan if you get into something else and want to switch later. These are private plans, not government plans. The CAN and DO have "pre-existing conditions." (Well, you can get in, but you'll pay a very high premium.) But - they ARE regulated by the government. There are no pre-existing conditions when you first sign up for Medicare.

Don't listen to big plan sellers about how wonderful their all inclusive plans are, and they include a health club plan - Woo-Woo! They will sell you what makes the company money. Remember, the "out-of-pocket" is $6700 to $10,000 for their plans again this year. All it takes is one surgery or bad condition to get to that. I tried to explain to my friend whose husband thought "It's only 20%" and then found how much that amounts to! Don't make his mistake. My plan is only about $2000 a year - total.

Thanks,pretty sure I won't surpass income levels! Lol

If you're already on Medicare you may not be able to sign up for one of those plans. They use preexisting conditions! You can only sign up without preexisting conditions when you first start Medicare or if your plan is discontinued. Price goes up by age, but not terribly high.

When I signed up a couple of years ago the prices were on the website. You may have to look up each one on their website or call them. There are brokers too. I don't know where to find them, but I'd bet you can google them.

My company is called Combined insurance of America.

AARP brokers for another, to show you the type of insurance this is.

When I checked AARP it was a lot higher for me. Rate goes up by age. I'm 70, so my rate is pretty good for my age. But it can change by where you live. It's not advertised, but even the Blue in my area has a supplement available.

The medicare.gov site has links to the supplements by company and location.

Each company has a different rate schedule, so check a bunch out - or easier - find a broker. Even my local county government has help available for understanding the different types of policies.

A really nice thing for hospitals and doctors and such is that Medicare automatically bills your Medigap company when Medicare gets the bill. Providers don't have to do anything, including sending you a bill!