That time of year for those on Medicare

[Guest guest]

Just a heads up to everyone on Medicare to review both your medical plan

(whether an Advantage plan or a supplement) and to review your Part D,

prescription plan. You should have received notices on changes to the

prescription plans from your carrier. But in all these cases do not

automatically assume that the plan you're on and that was best last year

is still the best. Medicare.gov has excellent tools for comparing plans.

The differences from last year to this year will vary for each of us.

Just a couple of examples of changes in my case but these will not be

the same for you. Last year there were no Medicare Advantage plans in

our area other than PFFS plans which no doctor here will accept. This

year there are HMO's and PPO's. Last year for a Plan F Supplement since

I'm in Texas and under 65, I had only one choice. This year its two.

Last year my Budeprion XL was a $7 generic. This year its Tier III on

the same plan and $42. Last year Ambien CR was in most formularies in

this area but at Tier III. Now most of the plans available here to me do

not include it in their formularies at all.

This is the time to make sure your meds and those you may need are

included in the plan you choose and to make sure that you have the

doctor and hospital choices you want. Especially for those of you

anticipating transplants, this can be huge as basic medicare and some

Advantage plans include lots of transplant centers and, yet, there are

some that include as few as three facilities in the entire country.

This is just important end of the year business for all of us on

medicare. It is a pain and lots of work sometimes, but it is worth

taking the time.

[Guest guest]

Again thanks bruce

<FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#40007f size=3> Soulliere & nbsp; <IMG src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/50.gif"></FONT>

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 6:12:51 PMSubject: That time of year for those on Medicare

Just a heads up to everyone on Medicare to review both your medical plan(whether an Advantage plan or a supplement) and to review your Part D,prescription plan. You should have received notices on changes to theprescription plans from your carrier. But in all these cases do notautomatically assume that the plan you're on and that was best last yearis still the best. Medicare.gov has excellent tools for comparing plans.The differences from last year to this year will vary for each of us.Just a couple of examples of changes in my case but these will not bethe same for you. Last year there were no Medicare Advantage plans inour area other than PFFS plans which no doctor here will accept. Thisyear there are HMO's and PPO's. Last year for a Plan F Supplement sinceI'm in Texas and under 65, I had only one choice. This year its two.Last year my Budeprion XL

was a $7 generic. This year its Tier III onthe same plan and $42. Last year Ambien CR was in most formularies inthis area but at Tier III. Now most of the plans available here to me donot include it in their formularies at all.This is the time to make sure your meds and those you may need areincluded in the plan you choose and to make sure that you have thedoctor and hospital choices you want. Especially for those of youanticipating transplants, this can be huge as basic medicare and someAdvantage plans include lots of transplant centers and, yet, there aresome that include as few as three facilities in the entire country.This is just important end of the year business for all of us onmedicare. It is a pain and lots of work sometimes, but it is worthtaking the time.