Patricia Barry 
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies 

Confused about Medicare’s drug coverage? You’re not
alone. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For Dummies
explains Part D in plain English and shows you how to find the best
deal among numerous drug-coverage plan options. Whether
you’re new to Medicare or already in the program,
you’ll navigate the system with more ease and confidence,
avoid pitfalls and scams, and have plenty of help choosing the plan
that’s right for you.

This easy-to-understand, consumer-friendly guide helps you find
out whether Part D affects any drug coverage you already have and
weigh the consequences of going without coverage. You’ll find
ways to compare plans, identify the one that covers your drugs at
the least cost, and make sure you sign up at the right time. And
you’ll learn how to minimize your expenses, use the
‘right’ pharmacies, and troubleshoot any problems with
your coverage. Discover how to:

* Decide whether you need Part D

* Understand how Part D works, from costs to coverage

* Choose and enroll in the best plan for you

* Get up and running with Part D

* Handle the coverage gap

* Lower your drug costs

* Join and switch plans

* Comply with long-term-care rules and rights

* Challenge plan decisions

* Avoid scams and hard-sell marketing

Now, more than ever, you need clear, reliable information that
helps you understand Part D and make smart, cost-saving healthcare
decisions. You need Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage For
Dummies.

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part I: The Nuts and Bolts of Medicare

Prescription Drug Coverage 7

Chapter 1: The ABCs (And D) of Medicare 9

Chapter 2: The Rules of the Game: How Part D Works 23

Chapter 3: The Big Question: What Will Part D Cost (And Save) You?
31

Chapter 4: Delving into Drug Coverage under Part D 43

Chapter 5: Extra Help: A Better Deal if Your Income Is Low 57

Part II: Deciding Whether to Sign Up for Part D 83

Chapter 6: Taking Other Drug Coverage and Sources into Account
85

Chapter 7: Considering Coverage if You Take Few or No Drugs Right
Now 105

Chapter 8: Confronting the Late Penalty 113

Part III: Choosing and Enrolling in the Right Part D Plan for
You 123

Chapter 9: The First Cut: Deciding How You Want to Receive Your
Medical Benefits 125

Chapter 10: Making a Smart Choice among Medicare Prescription Drug
Plans 149

Chapter 11: Buyer Beware: Avoiding Scams and Hard-Sell
Marketing183

Chapter 12: Signing Up for a Part D Plan for the First Time
195

Part IV: You’re In! Navigating Part D from the Inside
205

Chapter 13: You’ve Just Signed Up — What Happens Now?
207

Chapter 14: Filling Your Prescriptions 221

Chapter 15: In and Out of the Coverage Gap 233

Chapter 16: Bringing Down Your Drug Costs 249

Chapter 17: Switching to Another Plan 263

Chapter 18: Staying in Long-Term Care (Or Helping Someone Who Is)
283

Chapter 19: You Have Rights: How to Holler and (If Necessary)
Holler Louder 293

Part V: The Part of Tens 313

Chapter 20: Ten Ways Boomers Can Help Loved Ones with Part D
315

Chapter 21: Ten Proposed Changes to Part D You Should Know About
321

Part VI: Appendixes 325

Appendix A: Worksheets327

Appendix B: Sources of Help 333

Appendix C: Buying Prescription Drugs Safely from Abroad 345

Index 351

About the author

Patricia Barry is a senior editor at the AARP Bulletin and a recognized expert on the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. During a long career in journalism, she has authored thousands of articles and two guidebooks on healthcare and social policy. Since 1999, she has specialized in writing about Medicare and prescription drugs.