Know About The Eligibility For Medicare Part D Plans
Medicare Part D plans cover prescription drugs. It is operated with the help of various Medicare-approved health insurance companies, i.e., companies not approved by Medicare cannot provide this service. The Medicare Part D plans have a list of drugs covered under this plan. However, it varies in different states and through its different plans. Persons utilizing Medicare services can select a plan from its different plans available in their area.
To be eligible for Medicare Part D plan, you must:
- Be enrolled in Part A or Part B of Medicare plan before enrolling in Part D.
- Enroll yourself as soon as you are eligible. If you do not enroll soon after you become eligible, you have to pay a late enrollment penalty to be eligible. The penalty-free period to enroll in the Medicare Part D plan starts 3 months before a person turns 65 and lasts until 3 months after the age of 65, i.e., a total of 6 months.
- You must live in the Medicare service area.
If you are eligible under the above eligibility criteria, you can apply for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan in the following manner:
- Select your state and Medicare service area in which you reside from the Medicare website.
- Find the plans that are available in your service area and select the one which suits you best.
- Call on 1-800-MEDICARE; there are many counselors available on this helpline to guide you through the plans and help you enroll.
- Fill in an application form.
- Call the plan directly.
It is important to note that these plans can be changed once a year and therefore it is important to choose your plan wisely. There is no such difficulty that one may face while applying to Part D plan from Medicare as long as they are enrolled in Part A or Part B Medicare plans. So, find medicare part d plans for 2017 and choose the best health option available to you with ease.