4 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • NOVEMBER 5, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com health Frequently asked questions about Medicare Part D Why can’t I add an existing drug? Why isn’t my drug listed? Plan Finder doesn’t include every drug that Medicare covers. The Plan Finder drug list is updated on a regular basis. If you can’t fi nd your drug, contact your plan to fi nd out if it is covered. Remember that Medicare drug plans may choose to cover some or all of the drugs that Medicare covers. Plans may also cover drugs that aren’t listed. Plan Finder doesn’t show pricing for over-thecounter drugs or diabetic supplies (e.g. test strips, lancets, needles), so these items can’t be added to your drug list. Why are the drug prices I’m paying higher at my pharmacy than what Plan Finder indicates? A number of factors affect drug prices: drug dosage and quantity selected, pharmacy selection, the subsidy level of the benefi ciary, as well as the actual timing for drug purchases. Plan Finder provides estimated pricing for what you will pay at your pharmacy. If the dosages and frequencies you use on Plan Finder are different than what you’ve been prescribed, you may go into a coverage phase that may have an effect on the cost share you pay. When are drug prices updated on Plan Finder? Plan Finder drug prices are updated regularly from October through August. Pricing for the current year is frozen in September in preparation for the new plan year’s display. Why can’t I fi nd my pharmacy on the list? A certain radius is selected to display pharmacies in your area. In order to fi nd more or other pharmacies, you can increase the search radius or use the “Search by Pharmacy Name or Address” feature. How can I be sure that my enrollment went through? If the ‘Confi rmation’ page displays with a 14-digit confi rmation number, your enrollment has been saved. You should write down the confi rmation number or print the confi rmation page so that you can refer to it later, or when you want to call the plan or 1-800-MEDICARE. you can also use the “Email Your Confi rmation” button to send an email containing all the information on the Confi rmation page. If I’m a Medicare benefi ciary, what information do I need to have to search for plans? You can always perform a General Search using only your zip code. You will then be asked to enter other information for a more accurate search, such as the list of your drugs and your favorite pharmacies. For a more Personalized Search, at minimum you will need to have your Zip code, Medicare number, last name, effective date for your plan and date of birth. I have some special needs. How do I fi nd plans refl ecting my conditions? In Step 4 of 4 (Refi ne Your Plan Results) of the search, expand the “Select Special Needs Plans” option on the left side of the screen. The various special needs plan options will be listed on the next page of the search, the Plan Results page. Why can’t I compare some plans? When viewing the search results, some plans will show a blue information button indicating that comparison is suppressed. Some of these plans may be categorized as Medicare-Medicaid Plans. These plans can’t be compared with other Prescription Drug Plans. Why can’t I enroll in some plans? There may be several reasons why Plan Finder doesn’t offer an enrollment option for some plans. For example, some plans opt not to offer an online enrollment option. And, some low performing plans are restricted from offering online enrollment. Sometimes when I do a plan search with drugs, I can’t use the enrollment button; Plan Finder tells me to contact the plan to enroll. However, when I do a search without adding drugs or look the plan up directly, I can use the enrollment button. What does this mean? If you can’t use the enrollment button, it may be because the plan is “Part D Suppressed”. With Part D Suppression, there has been an inaccuracy in a plan’s drug pricing submission. The enrollment button will be disabled ONLY if you do a search with drugs. If you do a search without drugs, the enrollment button can be used. Plan Finder discourages enrollment into plans that have submitted inaccurate drug prices. Enjoy a Season Full of Sound. Join Us for Our Open House November 16–20 PLLC Great Neck 107 Northern Blvd, Suite 309 www.gbaudiology.com Call today to schedule your FREE hearing consultation and clean & check. 516.708.4844 Refreshments provided! Quality Senior focused Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy We are pleased to welcome Milena Alicandro, OTR/L, an occupational therapist with 28 years of clinical experience. Occupational Therapists treat people with neurologic and musculoskeletal problems and those who suffer from cognitive, visual/visual perceptual dysfunction. 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