MEDIGAP PART D & PRESCRIPTION DRUG HELPLINE
1-855-67PARTD
(1-855-677-2783)
The Medigap Part D & Prescription Drug Helpline is a free, confidential counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries of all ages. Prescription drug counselors can help with questions about prescription drug options.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) help Medicare beneficiaries pay for outpatient prescription drugs. It's available to people who have Medicare Part A and/or Part B and live in a Part D plan’s service area. The Part D benefit is provided through private insurance companies using plans that are approved by Medicare. Even if a beneficiary does not take prescription drugs now, they should still consider joining a Medicare drug plan if they do not have other creditable coverage. If not enrolled in a Medicare drug plan when first eligible without being covered under other “creditable” prescription drug coverage, there may be a late enrollment penalty assessed if enrolled in a Part D plan later.
Each Part D plan may vary in cost and the formulary of the medications covered. Plans may change from year to year. A plan that covers certain prescriptions this year may change and not cover them the following year. The only effective tool to determine an "estimate" of a person’s drug costs is using the Medicare Plan Finder (External Link) found on Medicare.Gov. SeniorCare is a prescription drug program for Wisconsin residents age 65 or older who meet other enrollment requirements. There is no monthly premium, but there is an annual enrollment fee (currently $30 per year). The level of coverage a person has depends upon their income level. All levels of the SeniorCare program are considered “creditable coverage," meaning SeniorCare coverage is as good as the standard Medicare Part D plan.
Other prescription drug coverage options may be available to individuals such as Employer/Union sponsored plans, Veterans benefits, or discount programs. Some of these coverages may be considered “creditable” and others not.