Silver Script for Part D?

[flatbutt]

Hey old guys, anyone have any experience with Silver Script for those of us who must purchase drug coverage under Medicare? I need to choose soon. If not who do you use?

[wdfifteen]

I use Siver Script and have no complaints.

[flatbutt]

thanks wd! quite a bewildering array of choices to be made.

[hcoles]

We just started using Silverscript (SS) for our Part D. So far so good. They denied my request to change an eye drop medicine form tier 3 to tier 2. I think it was a long shot. They called the doctor and the doctor could not convince SS that the prescribed medicine was better than the one suggested by SS. Something like that. They sent me a letter but I can't figure out what alternate medicine matches "cromolyn sodium ophthalmic". Otherwise things seem to be working - it may take a while to get your pharmacy to refill in time before you run out. We are still working on that.
We use CVS.

[hcoles]

@fb , yes the whole thing is bewildering along with getting pounds of mail to sort every week.
We ended up getting AARP Plan F (Plan B) and Silverscript (Plan D) as already mentioned.
I didn't not want to go to an "advantage" plan at this point. We'll see how this all goes.
AARP Plan F doesn't cover chiropractor visits but they are covered 80% by Medicare. I found that out the other day after visiting the chiropractor after lifting tires doing "car" work.

[hcoles]

sorry 2 negatives caused by not backing up enough and not proof reading - should be did not want an advantage plan

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by hcoles

@fb , yes the whole thing is bewildering along with getting pounds of mail to sort every week.
We ended up getting AARP Plan F (Plan B) and Silverscript (Plan D) as already mentioned.

That's the exact Medicare supplement plan I have, costs me about $6k a year.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

That's the exact Medicare supplement plan I have, costs me about $6k a year.

$6k just for you?!!

[wdfifteen]

Yep, just for me. Plan B prices are based on income. I landed in a bad spot last year, jus over the limit for a lower rate. If I had made $800 less, the insurance would have bee $1200 less.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Yep, just for me. Plan B prices are based on income. I landed in a bad spot last year, jus over the limit for a lower rate. If I had made $800 less, the insurance would have bee $1200 less.

wow, is there much of a look back on income? Or is it based on current income? I ask because two years ago my income was double what it is now that I am retired.

[hcoles]

The Plan B Medicare rate is based on two years back. E.g. the rate for 2017 is based on your 2015 income. Thus you get penalized a bit just after you retire. You can see this is about the only way they can make it work. E.g. your income for 2016 is not known until well into 2017 (April or later) or they use 2015 info.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by hcoles

The Plan B Medicare rate is based on two years back. E.g. the rate for 2017 is based on your 2015 income. Thus you get penalized a bit just after you retire. You can see this is about the only way they can make it work. E.g. your income for 2016 is not known until well into 2017 (April or later) or they use 2015 info.

I'm searching now to see what kind of increase I'll get in premiums and if it ever gets adjusted later on.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by hcoles

The Plan B Medicare rate is based on two years back. E.g. the rate for 2017 is based on your 2015 income. Thus you get penalized a bit just after you retire. You can see this is about the only way they can make it work. E.g. your income for 2016 is not known until well into 2017 (April or later) or they use 2015 info.

Because both my wife and I have to start RMD's this year we will be getting kicked into the higher Part B premium in 2019 as I understand it anyway.

I think since retiring I spend more time on taxes that when working. Penalties on Medicare Part B per the above, more of SS is taxed (85% of our social security is now taxable), and etc. etc.... fun and games it is.

[flatbutt]

yeah loads o' fun. 2015 just happens to be my last year of employment when EVERYTHING vested and got counted as ordinary income. I now earn less than half of that so my rate will be based on an income I don't have.

I'm considering not taking part B since the premium is waaaay more than I've ever spent in one year.

I really need to talk to an expert on this stuff.

[flatbutt]

Huh, the rules of medicare premiums appears to have me impaled on Mortons Fork. sigh

[hcoles]

@fb,
I think there is a penalty for not signing up and paying for Part B when you are supposed to. You might want to check that out.
By the time you pay for all the premiums (Part B, Part D, etc.) for two people it adds up. This is not counting dental, vision, co-pays or vitamins/etc.
The world is coin operated.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by hcoles

@fb,
I think there is a penalty for not signing up and paying for Part B when you are supposed to. You might want to check that out.
By the time you pay for all the premiums (Part B, Part D, etc.) for two people it adds up. This is not counting dental, vision, co-pays or vitamins/etc.
The world is coin operated.

the b1tch of it is having my premium based on an income that was artificially inflated by vesting of retirement benefits. I have less than half of that income now but will be paying the higher premium.

[wdfifteen]

^
You might be able to appeal a ruling based on your artificially high year.

[intakexhaust]

I don't know of SilverScript but right now thinking its got to be better than Cigna.

Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure Max plan presents itself as top shelf but in reality is the bottom of the pile and a scam operation. Well known for renege on Rx after fully confirming were covered, prior to signing up. The game goes something like this: One is covered for two months, then a particular drug on that list is denied without notice.... yet read on. To comply, they suggest an appeal, of which gets you half way there with assistance from a prescribing doctor doing all the extra legwork. But then after 60 days, its fully denied from being covered.

All sweet talkers on the customer hotline but useless liar fuchs. Thats if an existing customer can get through the long wait. But if new at sign-up time, they surely are quick and right there to answer your questions and get on board.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

I don't know of SilverScript but right now thinking its got to be better than Cigna.

Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure Max plan presents itself as top shelf but in reality is the bottom of the pile and a scam operation. Well known for renege on Rx after fully confirming were covered, prior to signing up. The game goes something like this: One is covered for two months, then a particular drug on that list is denied without notice.... yet read on. To comply, they suggest an appeal, of which gets you half way there with assistance from a prescribing doctor doing all the extra legwork. But then after 60 days, its fully denied from being covered.

All sweet talkers on the customer hotline but useless liar fuchs. Thats if an existing customer can get through the long wait. But if new at sign-up time, they surely are quick and right there to answer your questions and get on board.

that sux, maybe we should do a sticky based on such experiences.