What happens if you receive your annual booklet on Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and your prescription drugs have been removed from list?
Many seniors end up wondering what their next step is when Medicare prescription plans change the drugs they cover and a booklet with the information is sent out annually.
Recently, Elder Law Answers offered some answers in “Your Right to Refills If Medicare Drops Coverage of Your Drugs.”
The good news is that you will not suddenly find yourself without insurance coverage for the medications you need. Within the first 90 days of joining a new plan or the new contract year of an existing plan, coverage must be given for a 30-day supply of any ongoing prescription.
Consequently, that means you have 30 days to visit with your doctor to have a substitute medication prescribed that is covered by your plan.
Alternatively, you can apply for a coverage exception for your current medication. If you do, prescription refills must be supplied until your exception request is ruled on.
If you are in a nursing home, you have even more coverage. Refill requests for all 31-day supplies must be honored for 90 days after the switch in coverage.
An elder law attorney can advise you on Medicare prescription coverage or other Medicare issues.
Reference: Elder Law Answers (Feb. 11, 2016) “Your Right to Refills If Medicare Drops Coverage of Your Drugs.”
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