I picked up $2,000 worth of medications today

[left-of-center2012]

I picked up $2,000 worth of medications today at Walgreens.

There were five prescriptions and they totaled roughly $2,000.
Each prescription has a sheet attached with instructions, my co-pay if any, and how much the non-insurance price is.

With my Medicare plan, my total co-pay was $18.

[Autumn]

1. What is your Medicare plan if I may ask. I'm looking for a new one.

[Grasswire2]

3. the gold standard is Medigap plan F.

But there is a window for application. It is truly the very best deal of all.

I lost my chance at it and have rued the day ever since.

[Autumn]

6. What is the window for application? I've been thinking of getting my meds from Canada

my daughters MIL is doing that for her inhalers.

[enough]

7. There is a window every year in which you can change your plan.

The window for 2018 is coming up: October 15 to December 7, 2018.

You can still sign up for Plan F before they shut down enrollment in 2020.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2017/06/06/how-the-2020-exit-of-medigap-plan-f-might-affect-your-healthcare-spending/#64cd938b699a

[Grasswire2]

13. check the medicare web site link below

https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

The first six months that you are eligible to enroll in Medicare is the time to choose Medigap.

[hedda_foil]

11. You can opt into a Medigap (aka Medicare Supplemental) plan at any time.

Not so for Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, which have only one open enrollment period a year.

[Grasswire2]

12. directly from the Medicare web site:

"Buy a policy when you're first eligible. The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period. During that time you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. This period automatically starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. If you're able to buy one, it may cost more."

AFTER THIS ENROLLMENT PERIOD YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BUY A MEDIGAP POLICY.

https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

[hedda_foil]

16. Thanks grasswire. That's terribly important.

[left-of-center2012]

8. "What is your Medicare plan"

I currently have Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, but I am meeting next week with an 'insurance broker'
and may switch to an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan,
which I have been told has cheaper co-pays.

[Autumn]

14. I signed up with Humana advantage but I'm looking to switch. I was thinking

of calling the insurance broker that I saw when I signed up with Medicare . She was helpful.

[left-of-center2012]

15. yes

A broker will present you with various plans and you decide.

[donkeypoofed]

2. Holy Schmoly!

That's crazy! So much money!

[snowybirdie]

4. Great

However, once you reach that "donut hole" number, $5,700 approx. this year, you must pay lots more til you reach "catastrophic coverage" point when your copay will increase, but stabilize. Hubby's medication went from $90 copay to $260! If only the Congress had written in the ability to negotiate drug prices into Part D legislation! But NO. Also drugs are out into categories or Tiers, with Tier 3 and 4 drugs much more costly. So the sicker you are, you aren't covered as well.

[left-of-center2012]

9. "donut hole"

Those, like me who get 'extra help' paying for medications from the state are not affected by the "donut hole".

[TexasProgresive]

5. Good thing we're in the last quarter

You are close to falling in the infamous "donut hole." ((>$3,750 to >$5,000). I just read that no only is Dunkin Donuts getting rid of the donut but so is Medicare part D starting in 2019. Let's hope this is not a piece of shit since it was part of tRump's budget.

[left-of-center2012]

10. ...

Those, like me who get 'extra help' paying for medications from the state are not affected by the "donut hole".

[richard41]

17. It is the game

I know co-pay helps to save on medication. But if you are opting international pharmacies then you can save up to 80%.
I am doing this for last 7 years without any hassle.

If I talk about my last prescription fill, It was $2732 in my local store and when bought it from Offshorecheapmeds, it was $173 including shipping charges.

So I suggest filling prescriptions from international pharmacies.