First, we need to mention that there is a difference between non-network, network, and preferred network pharmacies.  Non-network pharmacies will not provide coverage under your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.  Network pharmacies (both preferred and non-preferred network pharmacies) provide coverage under your Medicare Part D plan.

On the other hand, some 2013 Medicare prescription drug plans include both preferred and non-preferred network pharmacies within the plan’s pharmacy network.  And in such a plan, preferred network pharmacies may have lower prices (or cost-sharing) as compared to the plan's non-preferred network pharmacies.

For example, as shown in the chart below, the total prescription co-payment costs (or cost-sharing) for the same three medications (Atorvastatin, Clopidogrel, and Nexium®) can vary between a plan's network pharmacies (such as when you visit CVS or Walmart or Walgreens), depending on the 2013 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan – meaning, you may pay more for your medications at a non-preferred network pharmacy.

 

*Annual Cost Estimates from Medicare.gov Plan Finder 11/25/2012.

In recent years, this has become an increasingly important topic as more of the most popular Medicare plans no longer have the same cost-sharing for both preferred and network pharmacies.

For 2013, there are 12+ Medicare Part D plan carriers using different cost-sharing for preferred network pharmacies as compared to regular network pharmacies on one or more of their Medicare Part D plans.

Some of these Medicare Part D plan carriers include UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna/CVS, EnvisionRx, First Health, Humana, SilverScript, SmartD, and some of the Blue plans.

Bottom Line:  If you want to lower your prescription drug costs, make sure you are using your plan’s preferred network pharmacies (or, if available, the Mail Order option).