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Tag: Prescription Drugs

Medicare Open Enrollment

Posted on by djbechard

If you haven’t reviewed your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for the upcoming year, there is still time. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15th to December 7th.  If you take this time to shop and compare plans, you may be able to lower your co-pays and out-of-pocket costs for 2023 by switching to a different plan.

Even if you aren’t changing plans, make sure your pharmacy is still in your plans network next year.  Plans may change their network pharmacies each year.

Call your local Post Rock Extension District Office to set up an appointment.  Meetings can be scheduled in the county in the Post Rock District that is most convenient for you.

By: Brenda Langdon

Medicare Open Enrollment

Posted on by djbechard

It’s the time of year to begin thinking about Medicare Open Enrollment.  Open enrollment runs from October 15 – December 7, with coverage beginning January 1. This is the time of year when you should review your Medicare prescription drug coverage and make changes if your current plan no longer meets your needs or if you could lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

During your appointment we will make sure all your prescription medications are on the plan formulary in 2023, and that your pharmacy is still in the plan network. Costs such as deductibles and copays can change from year to year.  Using the plan finder, we can identify whether your current plan will best meet your needs for 2023 and compare it to other options that are available. The goal is to make sure you understand how your plan works and to make an informed decision.

The extension office will be helping beneficiaries with comparison, selection and enrollment in drug plans again this year. Email Brenda at bklangdon@ksu.edu or call 785-346-2521 to schedule an appointment. Brenda will be scheduling appointments in all five counties in the Post Rock District (Osborne, Smith, Jewell, Mitchell and Lincoln).

By: Brenda Langdon

Medicare Changes for 2022

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

The social security administration announced a 5.9% increase to Social Security benefits for 2022.   Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act.

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $170.10 for 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021.  The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $233 in 2022, an increase of $30 from the annual deductible of $203 in 2021.

Medicare Part D open enrollment will soon be coming to an end. December 7th is the last day to make changes to your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for 2022. If you are still needing your plan looked at, please call the Osborne Post Rock District Extension office to make an appointment.

By: Brenda Langdon

Medicare Open Enrollment

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

If you haven’t reviewed your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for the upcoming year, there is still time. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15th to December 7th.  If you take this time to shop and compare plans, you may be able to lower your co-pays and out-of-pocket costs for 2022 by switching to a different plan.

Even if you aren’t changing plans, make sure your pharmacy is still in your plans network next year.  Plans may change their network pharmacies each year.

Call the Post Rock District Extension Office to set up an appointment.  Meetings can be scheduled in the county in the Post Rock District that is most convenient for you.

By: Brenda Langdon

Medicare Open Enrollment

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

You don’t need to sign up for Medicare each year.  However, you should review your Medicare health and prescription drug coverage and make changes if it no longer meets your needs or if you could lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

There are several things you should consider when choosing Medicare drug coverage.  If you:

  • Take specific drugs, look at drug plans that in
  • clude your drugs on their formulary (a list of prescription drugs covered by a drug plan). Then, compare costs.
  • Want extra protection from high prescription drug costs, look at plans offering coverage in the coverage gap, and then check with those plans to make sure they cover your drugs in the gap.
  • Want your drug expenses to be balanced throughout the year, look at plans with no or a low deductible, or with additional coverage in the coverage gap.
  • Take a lot of generic prescriptions, look at plans with “tiers” that charge you nothing or low copayments for generic prescriptions.

Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. As you make a decision about your prescription drug coverage, remember to review your current plan.  Look at other plans in your area to see if one may better meet  your needs.

If you are needing assistance with reviewing your prescription drug plan, contact your local K-State Research and Extension office. The extension office will be helping beneficiaries with comparison, selection and enrollment in drug plans. Email Brenda at bklangdon@ksu.edu or call any of the offices in the Post Rock District to schedule an appointment.

By: Brenda Langdon