AARP Medicare Part D Enrollment For 2012

Janet, The difference in data between the Medicare calculator and AARP estimated cost is most likely due to Medicare not being aware of the exact negotiated rate that United HealthCare / AARP has secured. Insurance companies do not pay retail for drugs (or most anything else) and this will affect the figures. I doubt that the Medicare calculator has data on all insurance companies negotiated rates.

If you spoke with a rep at AARP and they were able to give you a figure based on your drugs, that information should be available to you via fax or email. Give them a call back and ask for the hard data.

Madeline, If your priority is a low price for your mother in Norwood Massachusetts, you might consider the Humana Walmart-Preferred RX Plan (PDP). The monthly premium is touted as the lowest available at $14.80 per month. Make sure that you check the formulary to ensure that her drug is included.

If you are referring to the Medicare Advantage plan for 2011 in Nevada zip 89014, it is branded as Secure Horizons MedicareComplete and it is available at $0/month. The AARP RX Preferred (PDP) is $38.20/month and the AARP RX Enhanced (PDP) is $91/month. I hope that helps.
David

Janice, If you are interested in what drugs the 2011 AARP Medicare RX Enhanced plan covers, visit AARPMedicareRX to search for your drugs and view plan information. Your medication, Cardizem LA is covered as a tier three drug in AARP Enhanced PDP. This is a drug that has quantity limits of one per day, so you should be fine. The cost is going to be based on where you live, as prices differ across the Country. Thanks for the question, I hope this helps.
David

Mary, I did a quick check on http://www.medicare.gov, and 2011 AARP MedicareRX Preferred is available in Shiawassee County Michigan. The premium for 2011 is $31.70. If you were at the AARP MedicareRX site and received the message you indicated, maybe it is because the Annual Enrollment Period for Part D has not begun yet. The Annual Enrollment Period takes place from November 15 through December 31. You are unable to submit an application outside of this enrollment period unless you are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period. Try again during the enrollment period. If you continue to have difficulty, call AARP SecureHorizons at 800 547-5514 8:00AM – 8:00PM, 7 days a week.
David

Charles, No, if you want to stay with your AARP Part D for 2011 and you didn’t receive a notice informing you of your plan’s non-renewal, you do not need to re-enroll. You will be automatically enrolled in the 2011 plan. This would be the case no matter which company you are currently with. People who received a notice on non-renewal from their current Part D provider would be wise to compare 2011 Part D plans.
David

So, AARP Medicare Part D plan formularies can vary by State. Visit AARP’s Medicare website to find both a look-up tool as well as complete formularies. This site is not specific to AARP Medicare plans, many Medicare Part D plans, as well as Medicare Advantage plans are highlighted.
David

John, In full disclosure, this site is not owned or operated by AARP Medicare. I comment on my plans and items in the news related to Medicare. I know that there are literally thousands of AARP members who are snowbirds. I’m honestly not sure if you will have to make the phone calls. Could you possibly get your medications mail order for 3 months prior to going to Florida? And would a private company like Mail Boxes etc. be a solution to the “do not forward issue”? Sorry I’m not much more help. This is a good reason to work with a local agent who can navigate such issues.
David

Alehta, Here is an article on 2011 Medicare Part D that can answer some questions. One positive change is a result of the Health Care Reform legislation. If you reach the donut hole you will only be responsible for 50% of the cost for brand name drugs and 93% of the cost for generic drugs. As far as $2 copay for generic drugs; the pharmacy is not the determining factor, it’s the drug plan that determines copays. Plan availablity will vary depending on your area. You will have to compare 2011 Medicare Advantage Plans to look for the drug coverage that will suit you. If you are interested in a stand-alone drug plan, you can get $2 copays for some generics from the Humana Walmart-Preferred RX Plan or the CVS Caremark Plus PDP if you use preferred pharmacies.

Jeannine, The easiest way to get this information is to visit the AARP Medicare website at http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com. They have a tool available that will allow you to check drug costs. Also, if you enrolled with an agent, they should be able to help you.

Joseph, I’m guessing you were at http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com Applications are not accepted on this site, as this is a blog about many Part D Plans as well as information about Medicare Advantage and Medigap insurance.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and do not receive a notice that your plan will not be offered for the following year and you do not submit an application for another plan, your plan will automatically renew.

Bonnie, Yes this is part of United Healthcare’s Pharmacy Saver program. The Pharmacy Saver program allows members in many of the United Healthcare Medicare plans to save money on hundreds of prescription medications, eight of the top 10 generic drugs are included and the most commonly used by United Healthcare’s Medicare plan members. Not all drugs are $2 in the program but many are.

Gerald, If you did not specifically fill out and submit an enrollment form you do not have Medicare Part D. I’m not sure what you mean by a Medicare RX ID number unless you are referring to your Medicare claim number. Becoming eligible for Medicare does not automatically enroll in a Part D Plan.

If it is within 3 months of the month you tun 65, the month you turn 65 or 3 months after the month you turn 65 you can enroll in any Part D plan. Visit http://www.medicare.gov to compare drug plans. If you are outside of the parameters related to turning 65 and did not enroll during the Annual Election Period for 2011 Part D plans (Nov 15 – Dec 31) you will not be allowed to enroll in Part D for 2011 unless you have a Medicare Part D Special Enrollment Period. If you believe you qualify for a special enrollment period contact a company that offers Part D and let them know of your circumstance.

Catherine, Here’s the address for AARP Medicare RX Plans:

AARP Medicare RX Plans
PO Box 29300
Hot Springs AR 71903-9300

Visit them online at http://www.aarpmedicarerx.com or call United Health Care at 800 947-3167.

Ron, I’m not sure what you are referring to. Call the 800 # on your AARP Medicare Part D card to get assistance.

Owen, Contact Secure Horizons customer service to find out why providers are listed that do not accept the AARP Medicare Complete HMO Advantage plan. If you are going to cancel your Medicare Advantage Plan the Annual Dis-enrollment Period is your opportunity. You have until February 14 to dis-enroll. Once you dis-enroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan you will return to original Medicare and would be advised to purchase a stand alone Part D plan. Unless you are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period you will not be able to join another Medicare Advantage plan until the next Annual Enrollment Period. Any new plan will not be effective until January 1, 2012.

Rachel, This site is not owned or operated by AARP Medicare Plans. If you are currently a member maybe you should make your request via telephone.

Renna, Age is not the determining factor to enroll and be a member of AARP Medicare Complete. The requirements are that you have Medicare Part A and B, you live in the plan’s service area and you do not have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Living in the plan’s service area is a stumbling block for many people who would otherwise be eligible to enroll in an Advantage Plan because not all plans are offered in all service areas.

It’s also important to note that in most cases, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan only at certain times during the year. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for plans with a 2012 effective date has been moved. Enrollment begins October 15 and ends December 7.

Judy, Yes it is as long as the medical services are Medicare covered services. If Medicare is paying 80% the Supplement will pick up the other 20%. The only possible expense in this scenario is if there are Medicare Part B excess charges. Plan C does not cover excess charges.

Gary, the easiest way to determine which card is correct is to visit http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com and select the contact link. The United health Care customer service department should be able to help you.

Hilda, Unless something has recently changed I’m not sure that you can pay your AARP Medicare Part D premium online. Typically Part D premiums are paid one of three ways.
1. Automatic deduction from your social security check.
2. Electronic funds transfer (EFT) from you bank account.
3. Mailing a payment by check with your monthly coupon.
How did you choose to pay when you enrolled in Part D?

Marilyn, As long as your drug coverage was deemed credible coverage by Medicare and your loss of coverage was due to the employer discontinuing coverage you are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period and will be able to join a Part D plan without waiting until the Annual Enrollment Period.

Pamela, The AARP Enhanced Rx plan includes an expanded formulary. If the basic plan includes all their drugs it wouldn’t make sense to switch. The premium is often more than twice as much as the basic plan. On the plus side you will save a couple dollars in copays and have some Tier 1 benefits in the coverage gap. But generally the math doesn’t add up. The few dollars saved in copay amounts and some Tier 1 coverage in the gap is generally much less than the extra premium.

Once they reach the coverage gap they will only be responsible for 50% of the brand name costs and 93% of the generic drug costs. This is due to the health care reform legislation that was previously passed.

Joanne, I think your best resource to find AARP MedicareComplete providers is http://www.aarpmedicareplans.com. You should be able to do a provider search to determine if UnitedHealthCare AARP MedicareComplete has in-network providers at Cleveland Clinic.

Kathryn, a quick check of medicare.gov showed three Part D plans in St. Johns Virgin Islands. AARP MedicareRx Preferred is available for $26.10 per month with a $0 deductible.

Miles, You will only be allowed to enroll during the Open Enrollment Period (October 15th – December 7th) unless you are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period. You had a Special Enrollment Period when your previous plan terminated but that has since expired. The Late Enrollment Penalty will continue to increase if you continue to wait as well.

David, Many 2012 Part D plan have made changes that have not been well received. Visit medicare.gov to see all plans available in your area.

Clara, Aquí está el sitio Web de lengua español para la Parte de AARP D. Espero que esto ayude.

Barbara, Unless they are entitled to a Special Election Period you will not be able to submit an application. There is not a provision to pay a penalty for submitting an application late. If they were enrolled in a Part D plan this year and it is renewing for 2012, they will automatically be enrolled in that plan.

Susan, Sounds like he said… they said. He could ask for a copy of his Part D application which would show how he c hose to pay premiums. If he did not choose an automatic deduction from Social Security he will have a difficult argument to make. He could contact his local Area Council on Aging office or SHIP to see if they could offer some assistance.

Cathy, If your uncle lost creditable drug coverage with his company effective 12-31-11 he is still within a Special Enrollment Period. He should act soon to secure coverage.