Florida Part D – BlueMedicare Rx Review

Florida Part D – should you consider BlueMedicare Rx?

If you are in the market for a Florida Part D plan you have a lot to consider.

There are 34 Part D plans available in Florida for 2013. Many of these plans will be from familiar names like the BlueCross BlueMedicare Rx plans.

But name recognition alone is not reason enough to choose one Part D plan over another.

This article will give a brief overview of the BlueMedicare Rx plans, some criteria you should use to compare plans and who might benefit from choosing one of the BlueMedicare Part D plans.

BlueMedicare Rx Option 1 vs BlueMedicare Rx option 2

The following is a brief summary of the BlueMedicare Part D plans available in Florida for the 2012 benefit year. For a complete description you should consult the Summary of Benefits for each plan.

BlueMedicare Rx (PDP) Option 1

• $43.10 monthly premium
• $0 deductible
• $0 copay for generics through home delivery pharmacy

Option 1 Copays

• Preferred Generics – $6 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $10 everywhere else
• Non-Preferred Generics – $16 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $21 everywhere else
• Preferred Brands – $32 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro /$37 everywhere else
• Non-Preferred Brands – $90 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $95 everywhere else
• Specialty – 33% of the costs
• Mail Order – $0 on preferred generics

BlueMedicare Rx (PDP) Option 2

• $127.60 monthly premiums
• $0 deductible
• $0 copay for preferred generics though home delivery pharmacy

Option 2 Copays

• Preferred Generics –   $2 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $9 everywhere else
• Non-Preferred Generics – $6 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $13 everywhere else
• Preferred Brands – $35 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $42 everywhere else
• Non-Preferred Brands –  $84 at CVS, Publix, Target and Navarro / $94 everywhere else
• Specialty –  33%
• $0 copay for preferred generics through home delivery pharmacy

BlueMedicare Rx Option 2 has the highest monthly premium of any of the 34 available Medicare prescription drug plans in Florida for 2013.

BlueCross is surely relying on their brand and the fact that many under 65 have enjoyed health benefits from Blue Cross of Florida either individually or through their employers to attract members.

BlueCross of Florida seems to be keeping it strictly business with plans that focus on prescription drugs only while other carriers are attempting to drive sales by including value added benefits such as vision, hearing and health product discounts.

What Does Medicare Part D Cost?

Comparing BlueMedicare Rx to other Part D plans in Florida

In all fairness to BlueCross, the reason to choose a Part D plan is the depth and value of the prescription drug benefits. The  plan with the lowest monthly premium is  not always the best value.

Consider the following features when you compare Part D plans:

• The Plan Formulary – is a list of covered drugs. this is the most important feature of a Part D plan.
• Part D Deductible – plans can include a deductible up to $320 for 2012 plans.
• Copays and Coinsurance – amounts can vary widely from one plan to another.
• The Pharmacy Network – must be convenient and accessible.
• Mail Order Pharmacy – should add a real value and contribute to cost savings.

Keep these criteria in mind when comparing the BlueMedicare Rx plans to other Florida Medicare Part D plans. There is not a plan that is best for everyone. Choosing a plan is an individual consideration. Your health status and budget play an important part in which plan will best suit your needs.