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You are here: Home1 / Our Blog2 / All About Medicare3 / Making the most of your coverage4 / How to maximize your Medicare prescription drug benefit

How to maximize your Medicare prescription drug benefit

All About Medicare, Making the most of your coverage, Managing your medications
Aspire Blog - How to maximize your Medicare prescription drug benefit

Medicare drug coverage helps pay for prescription drugs you need. Original Medicare (Part A and B) does not cover prescription drugs. This means that you can either enroll in a separate Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan with Part D coverage (MAPD). Aspire Health Plan’s Medicare Advantage plans all include Part D coverage. We want to help our members maximize your Medicare prescription drug benefit. Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions about Part D coverage.

1. Can I use a prescription drug discount card with my Medicare Part D (MAPD) plan?

Many members ask if they can use a prescription discount card with our drug list. The answer, in most cases, is no. The reason for this is due to the Anti-Kickback Statute. This statute prevents pharmaceutical companies from offering incentives or discounts when filling prescriptions when paid in part by a federal healthcare program, like Medicare. You can use a discount card or a drug coupon from a manufacturer or third-party company, like Good Rx, but you will not be able to combine that with your MAPD plan.  The total cost of the medication or your out-of-pocket costs would not be added to your Part D drug totals.

2. How can I get the best prices for my prescription drugs?

When it comes to getting the best price on your prescription drugs, it is always a good idea to shop the prices at different pharmacies. Every pharmacy prices prescriptions differently, and that price can vary with each medication. Pharmacy A might process one drug higher than pharmacy B, but with another drug, pharmacy B may price the drug higher than pharmacy A, and this could affect the total cost of the drug. You will still pay your set copayment, but this could effect when you reach the donut hole or coverage gap. In all cases, if the pharmacy charges less than what your Part D copay is set at, then you will pay the lower cost of the medication. For example, if your expected copay is $10, but the pharmacy only charges $4 for the medication, you will pay $4.

3. Why should I have my pharmacy fill my prescription using my Medicare Part D benefit?

When possible, have the pharmacy fill your prescription using your Aspire benefit. Processing through Aspire allows your drug to be evaluated for drug interactions and other safety checks by comparing against the other drugs you have filled in the past. Aspire utilizes prescription drug claim history to help determine adherence. If you fill a medication that Medicare monitors for adherence, you may receive a phone call or a letter from us if you miss a refill. If you use a discount card outside of Aspire, we will not see that prescription refill in our system and may contact you to discuss your adherence and any challenges you might face in filling your prescriptions.

4. How can I reduce my Medicare prescription drug costs?

Drugs can be expensive and using generic alternatives is a great way to reduce your costs. Always ask your prescribing doctor if the prescription is on the Aspire drug list (formulary) and if there is a generic option for that drug.

5. Are there programs to help pay for medications while enrolled in Medicare?

If paying for your drugs becomes an issue, you may qualify for low-income subsidy (LIS) or there may be a lower tier available. We talk about how you can qualify for Extra Help for your Medicare prescription drug plan costs in a previous blog post.

We want to ensure you get the help you need when it comes to maximizing your benefits. Call our Pharmacy team and let us know if you need help. We can be reached at (888) 495-3160. TTY users call 711.

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https://www.aspirehealthplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Aspire-Blog-Managing-Your-Prescription-500x270px.jpg 270 500 Aspire Health Plan https://www.aspirehealthplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/aspire-health-plan.svg Aspire Health Plan2022-01-17 15:50:312023-12-11 20:41:13How to maximize your Medicare prescription drug benefit
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Aspire Health is a Medicare Advantage HMO plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Aspire Health depends on contract renewal.

Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll in Aspire Health through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at http://www.medicare.gov. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-855-570-1600 (TTY: 711) Other Providers are available in our network. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Aspire Health members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

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