It’s no secret that prescription drugs can get expensive. To ensure that you can afford your medicine, it’s important to pick the right insurance coverage for your unique needs. When comparing Medicare plans, you can do this by creating a drug list in the Medicare Plan Finder.
Even if you’ve done this before, you may find that things are a little different this year. That’s because CMS released a redesigned Medicare Plan Finder over the summer. Here’s how to use it to create your new Medicare drug list.
Step One: Get Your Old Drug List
If you created a drug list previously, you’ll probably want to start there. Unfortunately, you can’t simply move it from the old Plan Finder to the new one. Instead, you’ll have to retrieve the drug list and re-enter the information manually.
- Go to https://www.medicare.gov/find-your-old-drug-list/.
- Enter your Drug List ID and Password Date to retrieve your drug list.
- Print out the drug list.
- Use this printed list when you’re ready to enter your prescription drugs into the new Plan Finder.
This method will only be available until December 7, 2019. If you have a drug list stored at MyMedicare.gov, you can log in there to find it.
Step Two: Sign into Your Medicare Plan Finder Account
Although people can use the new Medicare Plan Finder anonymously and without creating an account, some of the features won’t work as well. If you want to save your new drug list, you should log in before entering your information.
If you already have a MyMedicare.gov account, you will use the same login information. If you don’t have an account, you can create a new one.
Step Three: Answer the Plan Finder Questions
Once you’re in the Plan Finder system, you will be prompted to answer a series of questions.
- Enter what type of coverage you’re looking for. You can pick Medicare Advantage plans, drug plans, drug plans with a Medigap policy or Medigap only. You can also ask to learn more information first. (The following instructions assume you select “drug plans” as your answer.)
- Enter your ZIP code.
- Select any programs you receive help from, such as Medicaid.
- You’ll be asked whether you want to see drug costs. Select yes to see this important information.
- You’ll be asked how you fill your prescriptions – at retail pharmacies, through mail order pharmacies, or both. You’ll be prompted to enter the pharmacies you use.
- Add your prescription drugs. If a lower cost generic is available, you’ll be asked if you want to add it instead. You’ll also need to enter information about your dosage.
Creating an accurate and complete drug list is important. Otherwise, the cost information you get won’t be right.
Step Four: Review Plans
Once you’ve entered all the needed information, you’ll get a list of plans in your area. You can sort these plans in three different ways:
- Lowest monthly premium
- Lowest drug plus premium cost
- Lowest yearly deductible
You can also filter plans based on the star ratings or your preferred insurance carrier.
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