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People With Medicare
Why should I consider switching my Medicare plan for 2013?
Cost
- Does your plan cover all of your drugs at an affordable price? Will it continue to do so in 2013?
- Will your premiums and other costs change in 2013?
- Will other plans in your area cover your drugs for less?
- Did you enter the Coverage Gap, also called the "donut hole" in 2012? Do you need a plan that provides better coverage of your drugs to help you delay reaching the Coverage Gap in 2013?
Coverage
- Does your plan cover all of the drugs you need? Will it continue to do so in 2013?
- Does your plan limit how you can get your drugs, such as through prior authorizations (doctor's pre-approval) or step therapy (meaning you have to drug one drug before having access to another)?
Convenience
- Are you able to get your drugs at the pharmacy of your choice?
- Does your plan offer mail order delivery if you want it?
- If you traveled during the year, were you able to get your prescriptions filled easily while you were away from home?
Customer Service
- Did your plan do a good job of helping you manage your medication needs? For example, did they send you refill reminders or help you switch to a more affordable medicine if appropriate?
- Were you unhappy with the way your plan handled any problems or questions you had during the year?
Depending on your answers to these questions, you may benefit from looking into whether you can find a plan that better meets your needs. Consider the pros and cons of switching plans:
Pros of plan switching:
- You may save money if you pick a lower-cost plan.
- You may be more satisfied if you pick a plan that covers all your drugs, has better customer service, and so on.
Cons of plan switching:
- It will take time and research to pick a new plan.
- You may find that you are no happier with the new plan than you were with the old one.
NEXT:When Can I Switch?
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