Page 6 - Cover Letter and Evaluation for Raquelle Myers

After you’ve enrolled in a stand-alone drug plan, you might ask your current drug plan if it can
transfer your mail-order prescriptions to your new plan. In some instances, your current plan
may be able to do that (and in others not). For prescriptions that you currently fill at Olympic
Pharmacy or Walgreens, the pharmacy can probably transfer your current prescriptions to your
new plan on August 1. If so, it will avoid asking your physicians to write new prescriptions.

Suggestions

Because your prescription drug costs are your largest healthcare expense, you can likely
achieve your greatest savings by closely managing those expenses. Medicare’s coverage of
diabetes medications and supplies is confusing and sometimes inconsistent, but before long
you will come to understand it. The Medicare booklet on diabetes coverage that I e-mailed you
is good reference material, as are the coverage explanations in Appendix C of your evaluation.

It’s a good idea for you to re-evaluate your drug coverage each year during Medicare’s annual
open enrollment period (October 15-December 7). Because of the number of drugs that you
take, it takes quite a bit of time each year to re-enter all your drugs, dosages, and monthly
quantities each year into Medicare’s Plan Finder program.

There is a way, however, that you can save the list of drugs and dosages and then modify it as
needed each year during open enrollment. If you want to do this, sometime after August 1 go
to www.MyMedicare.gov and create your personal account. After you’ve been enrolled in
Medicare a few months, your account will display a list of all the drugs that you’ve used. During
open enrollment you can use that drug list, modifying it as needed, to find the lowest-cost plans
for the coming year. If you do this each year, you may save thousands of dollars during
retirement. Another option is to call SHIBA at the number above and ask them to help you find
the lowest-cost plan (they will have to enter all 15 drugs, dosages, and monthly quantities).

Finally, Raquelle, there are a couple of things to keep in mind as you make the transition to
Medicare. On your initial visits to your doctors after August 1, show the office staff your new
enrollment cards for Medicare A&B, your Medigap policy and your Part D stand-alone plan.
That will help to avoid any billing confusion. Also, you’re entitled to a free “Welcome to
Medicare” physical (see page 11 of the evaluation), but you’ll probably have to request it.

Sincerely,

David Armes, CFP®

Attachments: Medicare’s explanation of DME coverage
Requesting a formulary exception
Appendices
WDA:12120b

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