Medicare Part D Prescription Plans

[mallory]

I hope one of you can help me because I am so confused!

My Dad has Alzheimer's Disease.  He's been living with my sister and me since the beginning of this year.  When he moved in with us (rather suddenly and very unexpectedly), I found that his regular health insurance had dropped his prescription coverage because he was eligible for Medicare Part D.

I did the best research I could and signed him up for a plan.  Unfortunately, I didn't understand the coverage gap after you reach $2,250.  Now we're paying full price for his med's, and some of them are fairly expensive.

I know open enrollment is coming up, can I change plans?  I know I need a plan that covers the Medicare coverage gap, any other suggestions on what I should look for?  This Medicare stuff is very confusing to me and I don't want to make another mistake. 

[Joe Paul]

According to my social worker, secondary insurance is the only way to bridge the gap. I had asked the same question before I chose my medicare plan. Medicaid (state insurance, welfare assistance) is my secondary insurance. I would check to see if your father would be eligible for state assistance.

[BigSky]

It all varies from state to state.  Federal government sets the limit but lets other states change it to how they want it.

If one has medicare and their income is below a certain limit their is a federal program called QMB that is run through the state medicaid programs.  It will pay part D premiums, Medicare premiums and also pickup the 20% of co payments on medicare approved services as well as the "donut" hole in the Part D program.