Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Benefit Details in Plain Text |
The following Medicare Prescription Drug plan (PDP) benefits apply to the Sterling Rx (PDP) (S4802 - 012) in CMS Region 21, which includes all counties in LA. This plan is administered by STERLING LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, a national plan provider. This means that the insurance carrier offers Medicare Part D plan in most every state. To switch to a different Medicare Prescription Drug plan or to change your location, click here. |
Click here to see the Sterling Rx (PDP) prescription drug benefit details in chart format
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Plan Premium |
The Sterling Rx (PDP) has a monthly premium of $40.30. That is $483.60 for 12 months. There are a few factors that can increase or decrease this premium. If you qualify for full or partial extra help, your premium will be lower. If you have a premium penalty, your premium will be higher. Or if you have a higher income you would be subject to the Income Related Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). |
Prescription Drug Coverage: Deductible, Cost-sharing, Formulary |
This plan has a $100 deductible. So, you are 100% responsible for the first $100 in medication costs. After you have met the deductible, the Sterling Rx (PDP) will share the costs of your medications with you (see cost-sharing below). The maximum deductible for 2011 is $310, but this plan (Sterling Rx (PDP)) has a $100. There are other plans with a lower deductible or even a $0 deductible for all formulary drugs. Click here to review plans with a $0 deductible. |
The following information is about the Sterling Rx (PDP) formulary (or drug list). There are 2855 drugs on the Sterling Rx (PDP) formulary. Click here to browse the Sterling Rx (PDP) Formulary. |
The Initial Coverage Phase (ICP) can be thought of as the cost-sharing phase of the plan. During this phase, you and the insurance company share your prescription costs. Once you have spent $100, your initial coverage phase will start. All medication are divided into tiers within the plans formulary. This helps the plan to organize and manage the prescription cost-sharing. The Sterling Rx (PDP)’s formulary is divided into 4 tiers. Every plan can name their tiers differently, and can place medications on any tier. The cost-sharing for this plan is divided as follows:
The Sterling Rx (PDP)’s Initial Coverage Limit is $2,840. When this limit is reached, you exit the Initial Coverage Phase and enter the Coverage Gap (or Donut Hole). |
The Coverage Gap, which is also known as the Donut (Doughnut) Hole is the phase of your Medicare Part D plan where
you are responsible for 100% of your medication costs. Healthcare Reform mandates that the insurance carrier pay 7% of your generic drug prescription costs in the donut hole on your behalf. The brand-name drug manufacturer will pay 50% and your plan will pay an additional 0% of the cost of your brand-name drugs purchased in the Donut Hole, for a total of 50% discount. The 50% paid by the brand-name drug manufacturer is paid on your behalf and therefore counts toward your TrOOP (or True Out-of-Pocket) costs. The portion paid by your plan, does not count toward TrOOP. Some Medicare Part D plans offer coverage during the Coverage Gap that is beyond the mandated discounts. Any drug not covered by the plan’s Gap Coverage will still receive the discounts noted above -- even if the plan has "No Gap Coverage". This plan (Sterling Rx (PDP)) offers No Coverage during the Coverage Gap phase. |