Q1Medicare.com Now Offers an Easier Way to Compare Drug Coverage Details ...
Q1Medicare.com now provides their updated PDP-DrugFinder to help Seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries compare medication coverage across Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in their area. The PDP-DrugFinder is available free of charge and provides users with prescription drug plan features, medication cost-sharing information, and details of the drug's utilization management or usage restrictions.
Saint Augustine, FL (PRWEB) July 22, 2011
Q1Medicare.com now offers their updated PDP-DrugFinder, an easy to use online tool designed for Seniors, Medicare beneficiaries, and caregivers who want to quickly find details on drugs covered by the Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) in their area. The PDP-DrugFinder is offered at no cost and provides users with prescription drug plan features, cost-sharing information for both 30-day preferred pharmacy and 90-day mail order prescriptions, and detailed drug utilization management or usage restrictions. The PDP-DrugFinder can be found directly at PDP-DrugFinder.com.
The PDP-DrugFinder provides site visitors both basic and advanced search capabilities. Users first select their state and can enter at least the first three letters of their prescription drug name, click on "Search" and choose the medication from the list of possibilities. Users can also browse medications alphabetically by choosing the first letter of the drug name in the PDP-DrugFinder preference box. Alphabetical searches will list the medication name along with the strength and packaging information for the drug, its National Drug Code (NDC), and the number of Medicare Part D plan formularies nationwide that include the drug. As a convenience, users can also browse through a list of the top 10 Medicare drugs or they can browse through a longer list of over one hundred of the most popular Medicare drugs. For pharmacies, prescribers, or more advanced users, the PDP-DrugFinder also allows searching by National Drug Code.
One of the most important features of the PDP-DrugFinder is the inclusion of the drug usage management (or drug utilization) restriction details for the medication. The drug utilization management information includes prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limit restrictions. Quantity limits are shown in the format of units (such as tablets) per time period, for example Q:4/30Days (meaning 4 tablets per 30 days).
"Often we find that the specific quantity limits for a medication are almost as important as whether or not the drug is covered by the Medicare Part D plan," notes Dr. Susan Johnson, Technical Director and co-founder of Q1Group LLC. "If a beneficiary is prescribed two pills per day, and their medication has a quantity limit of one pill per day, they will be charged full price for half of their medication, unless they request a formulary exception and their exception is approved.
AARP Prescription Drugs - AARP Formulary Information | Medicare ...
AARP prescription drugs vary depending on the AARP formularyDid you know that what may be considered approved AARP prescription drugs for one plan may not be approved for another? The AARP formulary can also be different depending on which State you live in.
Many people assume that an AARP Medicare Rx plan will include the same prescription drugs no matter where you live.
The secret about the AARP formularyWhen insurance companies that offer Medicare Part D Plans enter into an agreement with The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in the Part D program they do so on a State-by-State basis.
Medicare Rx Plans from the same company often have different formularies for the States where their plans are offered. The formulary is the list of covered medications within a given plan.
AARP prescription drug plans can vary form State-to-State in the following ways:
Drug may be included in one State and not another The drug tier may be different from State-to-State Copay or coinsurance amount may also varyIn addition to this State variation you also need to be aware that the AARP formulary will also effect which AARP prescription drugs are included in plans available in the same State. The difference between AARP MedicareRx Preferred PDP and AARP MedicareRx Enhanced PDP for example, is not only the premiums and the copayment amounts.
The Part D formularies for these plans are very different and you should do your homework to determine which will include the AARP prescription medications that you require.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Assuming that a drug is covered because it is for someone else Choosing the lowest premium to save money Assuming that the Enhanced plan must be the best plan for you because it includes more drugsResource for choosing the best AARP Medicare prescription drug plan
When comparing Part D plans the formulary is by far the most important document to review. Formularies are printed in booklet form but Medicare Part D formularies can change even after the plans effective date.
Part D providers are able to add or remove drugs from their Medicare drug plan formularies. In order to have the most up to date formulary it is essential that you visit the plan’s website and find the formulary for the plan you are interested in and for the State where you live.
AARP Medicare Rx plans are underwritten by United Health Care. They are currently the largest provider of Part D Plans nationally. Plans are competitive and the AARP formularies generally include a wide range or AARP prescription drugs.
Aarp Drug Formulary - Bookshelf
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