You can sign up for Part D Prescription Drug Plans, which helps cover prescription drug costs, along with other components of Medicare starting three months before your 65th birthday.
It's important to do this on time because there's a permanent premium surcharge for enrolling more than three months after your 65th birthday if you don't have equivalent drug coverage from another source, such as a retiree plan.
If you are already enrolled in a Part D “standalone" plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that incorporates drug coverage, you can switch plans during the open-enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year. Call Martin for a full evaluation of your pharmaceutical drug plan needs 707-540-0211
In 2022, you are facing higher out-of-pocket drug costs before you can qualify for catastrophic coverage. The out-of-pocket spending threshold will increase from $6,550 in 2021 to $7,050 in 2022.
You will also face higher out-of-pocket costs in 2022 for the deductible and in the initial coverage phase before reaching the catastrophic coverage. The standard deductible is increasing from $445 in 2021 to $480 in 2022, while the initial coverage limit is increasing from $4,130 in 2021 to $4,430 in 2022.
For costs in the coverage gap phase, beneficiaries will pay 25% for both brand-name and generic drugs, with plans paying the remaining 75% of generic drug costs. For total drug costs above the catastrophic threshold, Medicare pays 80%, plans pay 15%, and enrollees pay either 5% of total drug costs or $3.95/$9.85 for each generic and brand-name drug, respectively.
Individuals with annual incomes of less than $19,140 and financial resources of up to $14,610, or married couples with incomes of less than $25,860, might qualify for Extra Help from Medicare to pay their Part D premiums and out-of-pocket drug costs.
Call Martin for more details 707-540-0211
