Pharmacy Management Group | PMGservices.com

Location: Blake's Seafood Restaurant 9 Main Street Westlake, Ohio 44145 (In Crocker Park).

FROM THE WEST OR EAST:
Follow I-90 to the Crocker Road Exit (#156), then turn onto Crocker Road. (Turn Left if coming from the East, turn Right if coming from the West.) Continue past Detroit Road and Crocker Park is the second complex on the right, after The Promenade.

Location: Mitchell’s Steakhouse, 1408 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH (614) 888-2467

Medicare Part D: 2008

You have probably heard about Medicare’s new prescription drug program that began on January 1, 2006. This new coverage, known as Medicare Part D, works differently than Medicare Parts A and B. Private insurance companies administer the Part D program, and every beneficiary is able to choose a prescription plan that best suits your own individual needs. If you already have prescription drug coverage, you will want to compare the plan you have now with the plans that are offered under Part D. If you do not have any prescription coverage now, it is important for you to look at the Part D plans as you could save a substantial amount of money on prescription drugs.

Pharmacy Management Group is following the progression of the new Medicare law and its benefits very closely. As changes in the plans are released from Medicare, we will update this website. Here are some basics:

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D) is a voluntary plan offered through private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare and is available for anyone who has Medicare Part A and/or B.

To be eligible for a Medicare Part D prescription drug program, you only have to be eligible for Medicare Part A and/or Part B. There are no other pre-requisites.

If you do not have a prescription plan of your own that is at least as good as the Medicare Part D standard plan, and you decide to delay your enrollment once you're eligible, you may face a lifetime premium penalty.

You will probably have to pay a monthly premium, yearly deductible, and small copay per prescription; however, the government will absorb the majority of the cost.

Dual eligible beneficiaries (those with both Medicare and Medicaid benefits) can choose their own plan if they wish and will not be responsible for premiums or deductibles in certain plans. If the dual eligible beneficiary resides in an LTC facility, they will also have their copays waived.

All plans are run by private companies known as PDPs (Prescription Drug Plans). These plans can change yearly.

Enrollment for those living in the community or an Assisted Living Facility, begins every November 15, and runs through December 31 of any given year. Those living in the Long Term Care setting are eligible to enroll anytime of the year.

People with lower income (at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level) can apply to receive extra financial help through the Social Security Administration.

People who have both Medicare and Medicaid benefits are automatically eligible for the Part D program, and they will be automatically enrolled into a PDP so they do not miss a day of coverage (Members may still opt to choose their own PDP).

If you already have a prescription drug plan through a former employer or as part of a retiree plan, you should contact your plan and find out if it's as good as or better than the Medicare Part D program; this is known as having "creditable coverage." If your plan is NOT creditable, you may find substantial savings on your prescription drug costs by enrolling into the Medicare Part D program.

Pharmacy Managment Group is progressively active in helping families decide if Medicare Part D is right for them. Simply e-mail John Lengauer with any Part D questions at lengauerj@pmgservices.com or call him at 440-617-7646.