Other prescription drug options both creditable and non-creditable may be avaliable to help cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Creditable Prescription Drug Options
Employer/Union Sponsored Plans
Many current or former employer/union sponsored Health Plans include prescription drug coverage that is considered “creditable coverage” by Medicare. The employer/union plan can provide documentation when the plans drug coverage is considered creditable coverage. This notice is required to go out each September.
Prescription costs (premiums, co-pays) with employer/union plan can be compared with Medicare Part D plan options. If the employer/union plan is not considered creditable coverage, a person may want to enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan when first eligible to avoid a late enrollment penalty (LEP).
If a person has prescription drug coverage through an employer/union health plan and chooses to enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan, this may actually put them at risk of losing the employer/union health coverage. A person should contact their employer health plan administrator for further information before enrolling in Medicare Part D and consider all options.
FEHB provides health and prescription drug coverage for current and retired federal employees and covered family members. The FEHB prescription drug coverage is considered “creditable coverage” by Medicare. This may work differently for United States Postal Service current and former employees.
This health program offers prescription drug coverage that is considered “creditable coverage” by Medicare. An individual does not need a Part D drug plan if they are recieving Veterans benefits. If enrolled in both, a person cannot use both types of coverage for the same drug at the same time.
TRICARE For Life offers prescription drug coverage that is considered “creditable coverage” by Medicare. An individual does not need a Part D drug plan to keep the TRICARE drug coverage. If enrolled in both drug coverage programs, Medicare Part D will be the primary payer and TRICARE pays secondary.
CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs) This health program offers prescription drug coverage that is considered “creditable coverage” by Medicare. An invididual does not need a Medicare Part D drug plan fi they have CHAMPVA. If a person does enroll in Medicare Part D, they will not be able to use the CHAMPVA Meds by Mail program (in which a person can receive their maintenance drugs at no charge – no premium, deductible, or copayments).
Indian Health Services is a federal health care program for American Indians and Alaska Natives with care being provided at IHS facilities. If an individual receives health care from IHS, they have creditable prescription drug coverage. If the individual enrolls in a Medicare Part D drug plan it may help the Indian health facility because the drug plan pays part of the cost of their prescriptions. This helps the Indian health provider with the cost of services.
Wisconsin Tribal Health Centers
Non-Creditable Prescription Drug Options
Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) may be sponsored by pharmaceutical manufacturers and offer financial assitance to help those that can't afford specific prescription drugs. Each PAP has its own qualifying criteria which may include annual income. Needymeds.org is a website that is a reliable source for up-to-date information about PAPs. Discount Cards and/or Coupon Programs (such as GoodRx or SingleCare) These programs are not insurance, rather discount cards. These cards or programs are offerent by prescription discout companies that partner wiht pharmacies to negotiate prices for medications. Frequently, these cards and programs can offer significant savings for consumers. Some discount cards and coupon programs will only work if a person does not have any other prescription drug insurance, including Medicare Part D. It is important to note that drugs purchased using these cardsa and programs do not count towards your Medicare prescription drug plan deductible.
