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2009 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
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Agents must complete a specialized training program prior to selling these plans. Please contact your marketing representative for more information.
You've probably heard about Medicare's prescription drug coverage, sometimes called Medicare Part D. Part D works differently than Medicare Part A and Part B. To get Part D, Medicare beneficiaries choose a Medicare prescription drug plan from a private company, like BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. We offer two plans, MedBlue RxSM and MedBlue RxSM Plus.
The more you know about Medicare's prescription drug coverage, the better prepared you'll to help your clients make informed decisions that can save them money and give them peace of mind.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is Insurance
The federal government helps pay for Part D. To get this coverage, Medicare beneficiaries must join a Medicare prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, like Medicare BlueSM and Medicare BlueSM Plus. Like other types of insurance, there is a monthly premium that varies depending on the type of plan they choose. They then pay a share of the cost of their prescriptions.
Everyone with Medicare Can Join
Anyone who is entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B and who lives in South Carolina is eligible to join a plan, regardless of income and resources, pre-existing conditions or current prescription drug expenses. Medicare beneficiaries do not have to participate. It's their choice. Just like with other types of insurance, however, the longer they wait, the higher their premiums may be.
Extra Help Is Available for People Who Need It
Members may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if they qualify for extra help, members may call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-325-0778. Or call their state Medicaid office.
Savings and Peace of Mind
We offer two Medicare prescription drug plans, MedBlue Rx and MedBlue Rx Plus, designed to save members money and protect them from high out-of-pocket drug costs. Here are the features of each drug plan:
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Features of MedBlue Rx
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Features of MedBlue Rx Plus
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Low monthly premium of $33.60
- No deductible
- 34-day supply -- $8 copayment for Generic drugs, $41 copayment for Preferred Brand and 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs
- 90-day mail-order supply -- $16 copayment for Generic drugs, $82 copayment for Preferred Brand drugs for the first $2,700 in drug costs, and 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs.
- After members spend $4,350 in a calendar year, they pay the greater of $2.40 for Generic and Preferred Brand drugs, and $6.00 for all other drugs, or 5% of the drug cost for the rest of the calendar year. The Plan pays the rest.
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Over 58,000 network pharmacies nationwide and over 900 in South Carolina.
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- Monthly premium of $73.80
- No deductible
- Enhanced formulary (list of covered drugs)
- $8 generics in the coverage gap
- Predictable cost sharing
- 34-day supply -- $8 copayment for Generic drugs, $38 copayment for Preferred Brand drugs, $65 copayment for Non-preferred Brand drugs for the first $2,700 in drug costs, 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs
- 90-day mail-order supply -- $16 copayment for Generic drugs, $76copayment for Preferred Brand drugs, $130 copayment for Non-preferred Brand drugs and 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs.
- After members spend $4,350 in a calendar year, they pay the greater of $2.40 for Generic and multi-source Preferred Brand drugs, and $6.00 for all other drugs, or 5% of the drug cost for the rest of the calendar year. The Plan pays the rest.
- Over 58,000 network pharmacies nationwide and over 900 in South Carolina.
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Compare Drug Plan Costs
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Plan Name
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Monthly Premium
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Rx Coverage
(Retail pharmacy amounts up to 34-day supply)
Save even more using mail order!
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MedBlue Rx
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$33.60 |
Annual Drug Cost |
$0-$2700
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Over $2700
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Over $4350
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Rx Type
Generic
Preferred Brand
Specialty
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Members Pay
$8**
$41**
33%
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Members Pay
100%
100%
100%
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Members Pay *
$2.40 or 5%
$2.40 or 5%
$6.00 or 5%
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MedBlue Rx Plus
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$73.80 |
Annual Drug Cost |
$0-$2700
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Over $2700
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Over $4350
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Rx Type
Generic
Preferred Brand
Non-preferred Brand
Specialty
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Members Pay
$8***
$38***
$65***
33%
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Members Pay
$8
100%
100%
100%
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Members Pay*
$2.40 or 5%
$2.40 or 5%
$6.00 or 5%
$6.00 or 5%
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*Once members' out-of-pocket prescription drug costs reach $4,350, they pay $2.40 or 5% (whichever is greater) for Generic and Preferred Brand drugs. For Non-preferred brand and specialty prescription drugs, the payment is $6.00 or 5%, whichever is greater.
** Members can receive a 90-day mail-order supply for $16 for Generic drugs and $82 for Preferred Brand drugs.
*** Members can receive a 90-day mail-order supply for $16 for Generic drugs, $76 for Preferred and $130 for Non-preferred Brand drugs.
More Information
Get more specific details on MedBlue Rx or MedBlue Rx Plus.
Important Information for Pharmacists
Contact Us
If you are interested in selling this product, please contact your marketing representative or call Amelia Guess at 1-800-288-2227, extension 49482.
Current members can contact us for customer service:
Toll free at 1-888-645-6025 (TTY 1-888-645-6023) -- 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday During our annual open enrollment period from November 15, 2008 to March 1, 2009 our hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
MedBlue Rx, P.O. Box 100191, Columbia, SC 29202-3191
Please call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov for more information about Medicare. You can call this national Medicare helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The TTY/TDD number is 1-877-486-2048 (you need special telephone equipment to use this number). Calls to these numbers are free.
Send premium payments to:
Attn: CASHIERS, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Mail Code: AA-G31, P.O. Box 6000, Columbia, SC 29260-6000
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina contracts with the federal government.
Last updated: 9/30/08
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