30-Day Supply Cost-Sharing | 90-Day Supply Cost-Sharing | |||||
Preferred Pharmacy |
Non- Preferred |
Mail- Order |
Preferred Pharmacy |
Non- Preferred |
Mail- Order |
|
Initial Coverage Phase Cost-Sharing | ||||||
Tier 1: Preferred Generic: |
$1.00 | $10.00 | $1.00 | $3.00 | $30.00 | $0.00 |
Tier 2: Non-Preferred Generic: |
$4.00 | $33.00 | $4.00 | $12.00 | $99.00 | $0.00 |
Tier 3: Preferred Brand: |
20% | 25% | 20% | 20% | 25% | 20% |
Tier 4: Non-Preferred Brand: |
39% | 50% | 39% | 39% | 50% | 39% |
As an example of how this different cost-sharing could affect you, the chart below shows how the total prescription costs for three popular medications (Atorvastatin, Clopidogrel, and Nexium®) can vary between network pharmacies (such as CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens), depending on your 2014 Medicare Part D plan.
Bottom Line: you may pay more for your medications at a “non-preferred” network pharmacy.
2014 Medicare Part D Plan Name |
Annual Cost at CVS* |
Annual Cost at Walmart* |
Annual Cost at Walgreens*
|
Annual Cost Mail Order* |
AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus | $1,008 | $802 (P) | $826 (P) | $734 |
Humana Enhanced | $1,387 | $1,242 (P) | $1,286 (P) | $1,082 |
United American - Enhanced | $1,752 (P) | $1,743 (P) | $1,996 | $1,726 |
Some of the new Medicare plan entries now using a 2014 preferred pricing structure for include:
Again, the Bottom Line: If you want to lower your 2014 prescription drug costs, make sure you are using your Medicare Part D plan’s preferred network pharmacies (or, if available, the Mail Order option).