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The 2021 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines determine the income level requirements for people applying for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also known as the "Extra Help" program that helps pay Medicare prescription drug costs.

The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) income brackets became inflation adjusted in 2020.  Consequently, people with an annual income under $165,000 who are at the low end of their . . .

CMS released the 2021 low-income premium subsidy amounts (or Benchmark premiums) for Medicare Part D plans on July 29, 2020. In 2021, four regions will lower their Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) benchmark premiums and 30 regions will increase their benchmark premium.

If the retail value of your formulary drug purchases are over $345, you will enter the 2021 Donut Hole and, as was true in 2020, you will receive a 75% discount for all formulary drugs while in the Coverage Gap.

The 2020 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines determine the income level requirements for people applying for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also known as the "Extra Help" program that helps pay Medicare prescription drug costs.

On February 5, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter that included the 2021 proposed defined standard benefits for Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage - and proposed changes to Medicare plans.

Starting in 2020, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) income brackets will be adjusted for inflation.  Consequently, people at the low end of their 2019 IRMAA income bracket wil . . .

CMS released the 2020 low-income premium subsidy amounts (or Benchmark premiums) for Medicare Part D plans on July 31, 2019, and in 2020, 33 regions will lower their Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) benchmark premiums and only 1 region will raise their benchmark premium.

The Donut Hole (or Coverage Gap) is a term used to describe a "gap" or pause in your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage where - prior to 2011 - you were 100% responsible for the cost of your . . .

Updated  2/5/2020 See:  2020 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (FPL): 2020 LIS Qualifications and Benefits   (https://Q1News.com/812.html) The 2019 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidel . . .

On April 1st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2020 Announcement and Final Call Letter that includes the defined standard benefits parameters for 2020 Medicare Part . . .

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans expressly excludes coverage for vitamins - although some Medicare plans do cover "excluded" drugs such as B-12 vitamin injections as "Bonus" or Supplemental dru . . .

Since 2011, people with Medicare who earn over $85,000 have been paying an additional monthly premium or Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for their Medicare Part D prescription drug p . . .

In certain situations, people with Medicare may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allowing them to join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan , or switch . . .

October 1st.   2022 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan information will be officially released October 1st and will be included on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder website. If you a . . .

The June 2021 Medicare Part D plan formulary (or drug list) updates included 38 new drug codes or NDCs representing 29 different medications, including five (5) new generics. The NDC uniquely ident . . .

The June 2021 Medicare Part D plan drug list updates include five (5) newly-introduced generic drugs - and six (6) newly-introduced brand-name drugs, including: GEMTESA®, IMPAVIDO®, LUCEMYRA®, RELTONE®, UKONIQ®, and ZILXI®.

As you may know, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans update their plan formularies (drug lists) throughout the plan year and the June 2021 Medicare Part D formulary updates included 29 new drugs, . . .

On June 17, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave notice to Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc. ("Imperial") that CMS has made a determination to immediately impose an interme . . .

As you may know, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans update their plan formularies (drug lists) throughout the plan year and the May 2021 Medicare Part D formulary updates included 28 new drugs, . . .

The May 2021 Medicare Part D plan drug list updates include nine (9) newly-introduced generic drugs - and six (6) newly-introduced brand-name drugs, including: BRONCHITOL®, KLISYRI®, LUPKYNIS®, TEMIXYS®, TEPMETKO®, and VERQUVO®.

Forecasters predict an above-normal 2021 Atlantic hurricane season with 3 to 5 major hurricanes. As was true in 2020, experts are advising to begin preparing earlier for any 2021 disaster in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 29, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave notice to Golden State Medicare Health Plan ("Golden State") that CMS has made a determination to immediately impose interm . . .

The April 2021 Medicare Part D plan drug list updates include 26 newly-introduced generic drugs - and 11 newly-introduced brand-name drugs, including: Cystadrops®, Hemady®, Impeklo®, Nyvepria®, ONUREG®, ORGOVYX®, ORLADEYO®, SUTAB®, Travatan Z®, and XYWAV®.

As you may know, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans update their plan formularies (drug lists) throughout the plan year and the April 2021 Medicare Part D formulary updates included 95 new drugs . . .

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans change every year and no matter whether you joined a new plan or stayed with your same plan from 2020, there are a number of possible reasons why you may be pa . . .

No.  Your $6,550 total out-of-pocket spending limit (2021 TrOOP) only includes the portion of your $4,130 Initial Coverage Limit that you actually paid. The portion of your medication costs . . .

You exit your Medicare Part D plan's Coverage Gap (or Donut Hole) and enter into the Catastrophic Coverage phase - for the remainder of the plan year (until December 31st) - and the cost of your form . . .

If you purchase an expensive formulary drug, your first purchase would be calculated as a straddle claim across all four phases of your Medicare Part D coverage: Initial Deductible (if any), Initial Coverage Phase, the Coverage Gap, and Catastrophic Coverage.