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Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

by Jagger Esch
written by Jagger Esch

As you get older, you start to think about your health in new ways. Things you never were too concerned about before now become a top priority. One of these things is hearing. Hearing loss is a common and sometimes frightening development that takes place as you age. Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Causes of Hearing Loss

A variety of circumstances can cause hearing loss. External causes, like long-term exposure to noise pollution, are common. Internal causes, such as genetics or illness, can also play a major role in hearing loss.

Do You Need Your Hearing Tested?

If you have noticed that you are having trouble hearing, you may need a hearing test. Sometimes, symptoms can come on very gradually, so it’s difficult to be sure. If you notice that you are asking people to repeat themselves, or that people seem frustrated that you can’t hear them, this can be an indicator before you even notice yourself. Also look for symptoms such as ringing or feeling like your ears are plugged. Keep in mind that, even if you show no symptoms now, as you age you will likely need a hearing exam at some point in your life.

Where to Buy Hearing Aids

Typically, hearing aids need to be prescribed by a doctor and can be very expensive. Thanks to the Over the Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, hearing aids will soon be able to be bought over the counter at a more affordable price. These hearing aids are for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The goal is to make the market more competitive so that costs for hearing aids everywhere reduce.
Until this happens, and as hearing issues progress, you will still unfortunately be paying a high cost for hearing aids if you don’t have the right coverage.

Understanding Medicare Coverage for Hearing

It is important to understand fully what you are covered for when it comes to hearing as you age. As with most Medicare coverage, Medicare covers services that they find medically necessary.

Diagnostic Hearing Exams

Routine hearing exams are not covered under Medicare. Under Medicare Part B, diagnostic hearing and balance exams can be covered if ordered by your health care provider to determine whether you need medical treatment. One example of this would be testing for the cause of vertigo or dizziness. Under these circumstances, you are still partially financially responsible. If the test is done in a hospital, the hospital copayment will be due. If the test is done outside of a hospital, the Medicare 20% coinsurance applies. Medicare supplement plans are available which will pick up these costs.

Medicare Coverage for Hearing Aids

One of the most common things people wonder about as they start to approach age 65 is Medicare coverage for hearing aids. This is because hearing aids can be very pricey. Not only are the actual hearing aids themselves costly, but the tests and exams required to determine need of the hearing aids!
Medicare does not cover hearing aids, routine hearing exams, or the exams for fitting hearing aids. This leaves a big hole in your health coverage should you just accept this fact. Fortunately, there are alternatives and supplements to Medicare insurance. However, not all of these will provide you with the coverage you need, either. Here is a breakdown of different plans you may have heard of and what hearing services they do – and don’t- cover.

Medigap

You may have heard of Medigap before. It is also commonly known as Medicare Supplement insurance. This is private insurance that supplements Medicare A and B. Many people use these plans to assist with medical out-of-pocket costs. It is important to remember that Medigap doesn’t pay for services not covered by Medicare. Instead, it pays for remaining costs that would typically be out-of-pocket for the patient.
There are ten different types of Medigap plans, and each has different benefits. None of them cover hearing aids.
These plans can still help you with hearing service costs. For Medicare Part B covered diagnostic hearing tests, Medigap will pay the 20% coinsurance. Some plans, such as Plan C and Plan F, will pay the deductible as well.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is another option you may have heard of, and is also privately issued. It is also referred to as Medicare Part C. It provides the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B, and in some cases additional benefits. With certain plans, hearing exams may be covered, but hearing aids are typically not covered by Medicare Advantage.

Help with Costs and Expanding Your Coverage

If you are looking to reduce your costs when it comes to hearing services, there are a few things you can do. Enrolling in a Medigap plan will help you cover out of pocket costs when it comes to doctor-ordered diagnostic hearing tests.

You can also expand your Medicare coverage by adding specialized Dental, Vision, and Hearing plans to your Medicare plan. These plans are affordable and can cover your routine hearing tests. They even sometimes cover hearing aids.

To find out what type of coverage is best for you, compare rates and plans here. You will find an easy-to-follow system and help from qualified individuals who can help guide you to the right plan.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

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MedicarePrescription Programs

6 Ways Seniors can Save on Prescription Drugs

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Prescription drug use is increasing across all groups of people. But seniors are the most like to use multiple medications at once. This phenomenon, called polypharmacy, sees some seniors saddled with ten or more prescriptions. As age increases, so does the number of pills consumed each day.

Whether or not polypharmacy is the best option medically, the financial burden is undeniable. Even with a Medicare Part D plan, prescription drugs costs stifle many seniors. This is especially true in the coverage gap, where patients are responsible for a larger percentage of drug costs. If you’re overwhelmed by the cost of medication or caring for a senior on a tight budget, try these 6 ways to save on prescription drugs.

  1. Try Generics

The average price difference between generic and brand-name drugs is between 80% and 85%. This represents a huge opportunity for cost savings, especially for people who take multiple medications.

Brand loyalty might be keeping you on a more expensive drug. But generic equivalents are subject to the same quality standards and contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medication. Unless your doctor has a specific medical reason for you a brand-name drug, ask for the generic.

  1. Switch to a Different Brand

Generic equivalents aren’t always available. But there are many different medications to treat common conditions. When your doctor prescribes something new or expensive, ask if a more economical option exists.

If you have Part D coverage, what you pay for a drug will depend on the plan’s formulary. This list puts medication in different categories and often changes from year to year. Request a copy of the formulary to help your doctor find the lowest price option for your condition.

  1. Preferred Pharmacies

If your Part D plan has preferred pharmacies, you should be using them whenever possible. They offer benefits like co-pay discounts, bulk ordering, or home delivery.

It’s especially important to shop around if you aren’t enrolled in prescription drug coverage. Prices can vary significantly between pharmacies. Call different retail chains and smaller independent stores to make sure you’re paying the lowest possible price.

 

  1. Change Medicare Plans

Enrolling in prescription drug coverage with Medicare can be overwhelming. Once you’ve selected a plan, it’s easy to stick with the status quo. But the plan that’s best for you will change as you age and your prescriptions increase.

Ask friends and family for advice or help researching new plans. You can also take advantage of resources like State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, where counselors are available to help find the right Medicare plan for you.

  1. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Medicare is a federal government program, but some states offer extra assistance to residents with a specific health condition or below a certain income. Check the Medicare website to see if you qualify for one of these programs.

  1. RxConnected Online Pharmacy

What if you take an expensive drug that isn’t covered by your Part D plan, or pay high out-of-pocket costs in the coverage gap? RxConnected.comis a Canadian prescription referral service that helps patients in the U.S. purchase lower-priced maintenance medications from licensed pharmacies in Canada and around the world. All you need is a valid prescription from your doctor. Placing an order online or over the phone is easy, and medication is delivered right to your door.

Ready to spend less money on prescriptions and less time at the pharmacy? Visit RxConnected.comto compare prices and find out just how much you could be saving.

Author Bio:

Katharine is a creative content writer who loves to tell stories. When she’s not busy writing, Katharine spends time hiking, cycling, and exploring beautiful British Columbia.

 

 

 

 

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Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Prescription Programs

Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

by Garrett Ball
written by Garrett Ball

With the arrival of the Medicare annual election period, now is the time to compare your Part D plan to make sure you have the best “deal” for 2018. Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan
First of all, it is important to understand that, each year, the Medicare Part D prescription drug plans have the ability to change their benefit structures, including premiums, deductibles, co-pays, networks and formularies. This means that keeping the “status quo” from year-to-year carries with it some definite risk. It is advisable to re-evaluate your Part D selection annually to ensure you have the plan that most closely fits your needs. Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

What is Part D?

Part D is the part of Medicare that covers prescription drugs. It is, technically, a “part” of Medicare; however, Part D plans are sold through private insurance companies. CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has oversight over Part D plans and approves them on an annual basis.
Each Part D provider decides how they are going to structure their plans. They may choose to have a higher premium and lower co-pays or vice versa, for example. They must meet Medicare’s minimum standards for what drugs they cover, but within those standards, they have flexibility in designing a formulary (list of covered drugs) and co-pay structure.
In early October of each year, the Part D plans for the following year are released. Around that same time, you should receive a notice in the mail from your current Part D provider, showing how the plan’s coverage and premium is changing for the next calendar year. This is the time that you should compare Part D plans. Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

How to Compare Part D Plans

Comparing Part D plans is actually relatively easy to do if you have some computer savvy. It can all be done on Medicare’s website, www.Medicare.gov. To compare the plans, you can use the “Medicare Plan Finder”. It can be a little difficult to use if you have not used it before – this step-by-step guide to comparing Part D plans on Medicare.gov may be helpful.
Another alternative to comparing the Part D plans on Medicare.gov is asking your local pharmacy, or pharmacist, for help. Many pharmacies now offer this service to their customers. They already have a list of your medications, so they can plug those in to the “Medicare Plan Finder” and make a recommendation that way.
The way the plan finder works is that it ranks the plans in order of lowest overall annual cost to you. It takes into account the drug plan premium, the deductible and the co-pays on each plan. This way, the results are customized to your specific medications and situation, and you can make an informed choice. Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

How to Change Your Part D Plan

Once you have done the Part D comparison, you may find that you should just stay with the same plan. If this is the case, you do not need to take any action, as the plans renew automatically if you make not changes.
If, however, you see that you should choose a different plan that would cover your medications more thoroughly or give you a lower overall annual cost, you can do so easily.
One option for changing your Part D plan is to do it directly on Medicare’s website. Changes can be made between October 15 and December 7 of each calendar year.
The other alternative for changing your Part D plan is to contact the new plan directly, either online or by phone, and enroll in the plan of your choice.
Any time you change Part D plans, Medicare automatically takes you out of the old plan when they approve your enrollment into the new plan. In other words, you do not have to proactively cancel the old plan – it happens automatically when you are enrolled into the new plan. All plan changes take effect on January 1, as the plans run with the calendar year.
Overall, comparing Part D plans annually is a crucial part of a sound financial plan for someone on Medicare. You should take the time to compare and make any needed changes for next year during this annual election period. Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

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Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies
Prescription Programs

Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Wondering whether to make a switch to mail order for your elder’s medications? Wishing you knew if there was really a difference? Do you like ordering things online? Or, do you prefer the personal touch? Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies
Well, here are some basic tidbits that can help you evaluate which system works best for you and your elders. Sometimes it works best to use both! Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Pros –

  • Local store, usually convenient to you and/or your elders
  • Fast turnaround
  • Consultations with pharmacists are easy
  • Many offer compounding (custom Rx blending/preparation)
  • You can pick up over-the-counter (OTC) items at the same time (such as aspirin, bandages, pain relievers, vitamins, etc.)
  • Can get refill reminders via text or phone
  • Established relationships with known contacts
  • Flexibility to change orders and pick up times
  • Can purchase durable medical equipment at many retail pharmacies

Cons –

  • Provide only 30-day supply, usually
  • Can be more expensive
  • Refills and orders are not usually automatic
  • Requires a personal visit to pick up medications

Mail Order Pharmacies

Pros –

  • Provide a 90-day supply, usually
  • Can usually get a 90-day Rx for the same price or less than a 30-day Rx from a retail pharmacy
  • Often are much less expensive on a pill-to-pill comparison
  • Convenient online refills/reorders
  • Can get refill reminders via email or phone

Cons –

  • Orders are processed online or via call centers
  • Often more difficult or impossible to get compounded Rx orders filled
  • Much less flexible. Once order is made, that’s it.
  • Long wait time, usually 7-10 days to ship
  • Can get shipping errors, sometimes frequently. Especially if billing and shipping addresses are different.
  • Can’t usually order OTC items
  • Consultations with pharmacists are much more difficult to get than with retail pharmacies
  • Not local

Both options have their advantages. I personally like to use the retail pharmacies for short-term or specialty prescriptions and mail order for maintenance meds. As with almost everything, it pays to do your homework. Check out pricing for your elder’s medications at both types of pharmacies and compare timing of orders as well. The right answer for your family will be at the corner where right price meets good fit.
Author Suzanne Blankenship
Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies

Comparing Retail and Mail Order Pharmacies

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Prescription Drugs and Seniors
Prescription Programs

Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, there are over 33 million people in the U.S. who care for an aging relative or friend. Caregivers need to be aware that drug errors can happen and may be serious, but often are preventable. Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems
The problem stems largely from the multiple drugs seniors are prescribed and the complex network of physicians and pharmacists caring for them. According to Medco Health Solutions, Inc., the average senior takes nine prescription medications a year. One in four seniors sees four or more different physicians and uses three or more different pharmacies.
To help prevent errors:

  • Make and take a medication list including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, any vitamins or herbal supplements and present it to the doctor and pharmacist.
  • Understand how medications should be administered, possible side effects and how to recognize if they occur. Changes such as poor eyesight, hearing trouble or decreased endurance may indicate an adverse reaction to a medication.
  • Ask any specialist the patient sees to send a full medical report, including drugs prescribed, to the patient’s primary care doctor.
  • Consider pre-packing your medications together to avoid errors

Seniors now also have to decide about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program. It provides much-needed relief for many seniors with little or no drug coverage but may require research to determine which plan is best.
Consider the following:

  • Weighing Medication Costs: Seniors currently on medications should determine if the plan covers their drugs and at what cost. They should also consider the cost of generics since they may be substantially lower. In addition, under some plans the deductible is waived for generic drugs.
  • Access to Pharmacies: Each plan has its own pharmacy network. If several months of the year are spent in another state, a national plan may be best. Some plans include a mail-order prescription service.
  • Patient Safety: A plan that includes a drug utilization review (DUR) program that identifies potential errors provides an important safety net.

Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems Helping The Elderly Avoid Prescription Drug Problems

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Guide to Choosing a Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Prescription Programs

Prescription Drug Coverage

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

When you join Medicare you may want to add coverage for your prescription medications. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (MPDC, or Part D) will cover both brand-name drugs and generic at participating pharmacies. Part D helps to protect you from unexpected drug expenses and help you better predict your medical spending.
If you want to enroll in Medicare Part D, make sure to do so when first eligible. If you do so at a later date, you will have to pay penalty fees that will last as long as you have the drug plan. When you do choose to join Medicare Part D, your premium cost will increase by a minimum of 1% per month for every month that you waited to join.
Prescription Drug CoverageYou can receive prescription drug coverage either by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan (or any health plan that includes drug coverage) or by joining the new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Before you choose a plan, check that the pharmacies in the plan are convenient for you; or if not see if it offers mail order prescriptions. You should also review the formulary list of all the drugs the Medicare drug plan covers.
Coverage:

  • Formulary: a list of all drugs that a Medicare drug plan covers. Includes generic and brand name drugs.
  • Prior Authorization: Some drugs cost more than others, even though the less pricey drug is just as effective. Other drugs may have more side effects, or restrictions on how long they can be taken. To help ensure drugs are being taken properly, and when truly needed, some plans may require “prior authorization”. Prior authorization is when your doctor provides the plan with proof that there is a medically necessary reason you must use a particular drug.

Coverage Gap:

  • If you have high drug costs, you may consider which plans offer additional coverage until you spend $4.350 out-of-pocket. In some plans, if your costs reach an initial coverage limit, then you pay 100% of your prescription costs. This is called the coverage gap. This “gap” in coverage is generally above $2,700 in total drug costs until you spend $4,350 out-of-pocket. Some plans might offer some coverage during the gap. Even in plans where you pay 100% of covered drug costs after a certain limit, you would still pay less for your prescriptions than you would without this drug coverage.

Convenience:

  • Drug plans have to contract with certain pharmacies in your area. Check your plan to see which pharmacies are included. Some plans will also offer mail order prescriptions.

How does Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage work with Employer or Union coverage?

  • If your drug coverage from your employer/union is on average at least as good as MPDC, you can keep it as long as its offered.
  • If your employer/union coverage stops, you will have a special enrollment period to sign up for MPDC (with no penalty fee).
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Prescription Programs

Are Pills The Best Way To Take Medication

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Are Pills The Best Way To Take Medication

Are Pills The Best Way To Take MedicationPeople take medications expecting fast pain relief. If you’re swallowing pills, however, you might have to endure a longer wait.
Medications designed to work immediately don’t come in pill form. Take the epipen. Epipens are meant to stem severe allergic reactions, which can progress rapidly. The medication comes in the form of an injection, so someone entering anaphylactic shock can shoot the drug epinephrine directly into their bloodstream, leading to the fastest possible relief.
On the other hand, when you take a pill, the medication has to go through your esophagus and stomach, dissolve somewhere in your intestines, move through your intestinal wall into the bloodstream, get processed by the liver, and them move to the area where it’s needed. The process can take up to 20 minutes – and then you have to wait for the medication to actually start working.
It’s not an easy trip. The pill’s active ingredients have to survive the hostile conditions of the gastrointestinal tract before they can enter the bloodstream and get to work. In addition, organs like the liver and kidneys may filter some of the medication out of your body. The liver may also break down or change some of the compounds in the pill in a process called “first pass metabolism.”
Injections skip all those steps, but not everyone wants to give themselves shots. This is where sublingual medications, which are delivered under the tongue, come in. The membranes under the tongue readily absorb medications, which then enter the bloodstream without traveling through the gastrointestinal tract.
For example, Lipigesic M, an all-natural, nonprescription migraine medication, uses a sublingual delivery system to speed its active ingredient into the bloodstream, so it can quickly reduce the inflammation that causes migraine pain.
Feverfew has been used to treat migraines for centuries, but most people take it as a daily supplement. In that form, it’s not always effective, because the digestion process leaves less feverfew to be absorbed. In using a sublingual system, Lipigesic M uses a smaller amount of the active ingredient more effectively, allowing migraine sufferers to get back to their lives as soon as possible.

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Prescription Programs

More Americans Choosing Generic Drugs

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

shutterstock_167991929 (2)More Americans Choosing Generic Drugs
Have you ever gone to fill a prescription and the pharmacist asks if you’d like the generic version of the medication, perhaps reminding you that it is at a considerable cost savings over the brand-named drug? Or you’re told that your insurance will only cover the generic equivalent of what your doctor has prescribed?More Americans Choosing Generic Drugs
The first time this happens, you undoubtedly have many questions: Is there a difference between branded and generic medicines? Will the generic be just as safe and effective? Do insurance companies prefer generics? If you have, you’re not alone in asking these questions.
-It’s no secret that the rising costs of health care services and medications have been affecting millions of Americans – indeed, our economy – and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future. However, generic alternatives have proven to be a critical factor in slowing down national health care spending. In fact, generic drug use has saved America’s health care system approximately $1.07 trillion over the past decade, with $192.8 billion in savings achieved in 2011 alone, according to a 2012 study by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.
However, while consumers recognize the cost advantage of generic drugs, they are reminded, from time to time, of the question of quality and efficacy of generic medications versus name-brand equivalents. Consumers should know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health, requires that generic drugs must be identical or “bioequivalent” to brand name drugs in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use.
“The U.S. FDA tests generic medicines just as rigorously as their branded counterparts,” explains Venkat Krishnan, senior vice president and regional director at Ranbaxy Inc. “Generic drugs must meet rigid qualifying criteria before they can be made available to the general public. At Ranbaxy, we have stringent protocols in place to ensure that our products are both safe and effective, and we stand behind that, focused on our philosophy of ‘Quality and Patients First.'”
People are choosing generics in increasing numbers, out of economic necessity and because they are increasingly better informed.Of the 4 billion prescriptions written in 2011, nearly 80 percent were dispensed using generic versions of their brand name counterpart. With generics, consumers have the option of paying a price that is as much as 85 percent lower than name-brand drugs.

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Prescription Programs

How to Manage Multiple Medications

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

shutterstock_213919387Someone older than 65 takes an average of six medications a day. Taking multiple medications at the same time is called polypharmacy. But with more medications come higher costs and greater risks, so it should come as no surprise that polypharmacy is a major concern for seniors. How to Manage Multiple Medications
There are plenty of legitimate reasons why polypharmacy can occur. You may have developed a new condition, or an existing condition may have worsened. You may need certain medications to treat unavoidable side effects of other medications. And it may be that that you’re facing treatment gaps that only a combination of pills can address. It’s also possible that if you use multiple doctors, they’re unaware of what other medications you’re on, and could be prescribing medication that isn’t the best choice for you.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to lessen both the burden and risk of multiple medications.
Step one: Take an active role in your own health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and do whatever it takes to understand your condition and the medications you’re prescribed. Below is a checklist of some questions you may want to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Can this drug interact with any other drugs I currently take?
  • Are there any foods or drinks that I should avoid when I use this medication?
  • When and how should I take my medication?
  • What side effects can I expect to experience with this medication?
  • Is there a generic version of the drug available?
  • How long should I be on this medication? Are there any specific requirements for refilling the prescription?

Step two: Make a medication list. Make a list of the medications you’re currently taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins or supplements. You should share this list with loved ones and every doctor you see. Include important notes about dosage/frequency, strength, what it looks like, and what condition it treats. The list should also include the name and contact information for the doctor who prescribed it, as well as how long you’ve been on the medication. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part D, you may find that your plan has online tools or a mobile application to help you keep track of this information.
You should review this list each time you see your doctor, in case there are any changes to the medications you take. This way, your doctor can identify potentially dangerous combinations, or opportunities to replace two medications with a single prescription. Your doctor may also be able to suggest switching certain prescriptions to generic versions, which can result in savings of up to 70 percent. Your pharmacist should also see this list whenever you pick up a new prescription for the first time, as a backup check to make sure it won’t be a dangerous mix.
Step Three: Minimize the number of pharmacies you use. Using multiple pharmacies increases your risk of a pharmacist missing a potentially dangerous interaction. For long-term medications, consider using a home delivery pharmacy, if available. This is a convenient and safe way to fill prescriptions, and may even save you some money.
Taking multiple medications becomes a likely reality as we age. With these simple steps, you can protect yourself, and potentially save some money. Visit Roadmapformedicare.com for more prescription drug tips and tricks, or any other questions you have about Medicare Part D. Sign up for a free newsletter about retirement planning and Medicare at http://www.roadmapformedicare.com/sign-up/.

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