Medicare costs / Part D vaccines coverage / Part D sign-up extended re Insulin costs

[Lethe200]

This is a long article but very specifically covers changes to certain drug costs. The most important are changes to Part D:

• Insulin users can sign-up, change or drop Part D plans

The first is the $35 monthly cap on insulin, which will affect more than a million insulin users who have Part D through Medicare Advantage plans or free-standing plans purchased along with traditional Medicare. The cap will save average users at least 35 percent and applies immediately, without requiring them to first pay the Part D deductible, which amounts to $505 in 2023. About 10 percent of Part D insulin users, like Mr. Lubin, paid more than $1,300 out of pocket in 2020 and will save much more.

Although all Part D plans must cap the cost, they aren’t required to offer every form or brand of insulin. “People should make extra sure their plan isn’t dropping their insulin from the formulary,” Dr. Cubanski said.

So Medicare has begun a one-time special enrollment period through the end of 2023, allowing insulin users to drop, add or change Part D plans. Beneficiaries have to call the 1-800-MEDICARE number to make a switch. Counselors at State Health Insurance Assistance Programs can also help with the decision.

• In the second major change, adult vaccines covered by Part D*, typically offered at pharmacies, are now free, without deductibles or co-pays, just as the flu and pneumonia vaccines (covered by Part B) have been.

Note: If you opted out of Part D, vaccines not covered by Part B are not free.
Also free: hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations, and Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

NYTimes free link: Medicare reining in some drug costs

 

[Kaila]

Very good idea of yours, to draw attention and greater awareness to these important changes, @Lethe200

 

[MikeyDude]

They're lowering some prices by raising some others.