Page 6 - Cover Letter and Evaluation for Sue Marx

shown on page 4 of the evaluation. And if you get monthly refills, you can often save money by
using one of the plan’s preferred pharmacies, also shown on page 4.

The Rx drug costs shown in the appendices are for the last 10 months of the year, but the costs
shown in your evaluation are for all 12 months. When you look at the cost differences between
mail-order and monthly refills in the appendices, the mail-order costs are not directly
comparable to the monthly costs.

That’s because if you get mail-order refills starting in March, you will have a two-months supply
of your medications remaining at the end of the year. The costs shown on page 4, though, are
for 12 months and are therefore directly comparable.

Because your Rx drug costs are high, it’s a good idea for you to re-price your drug coverage
every year during annual open enrollment, Drug costs can change quite a bit from one year to
the next, and the lowest-cost plan in one year may be several hundred dollars more expensive
than the following year’s lowest-cost plan. That’s particularly true of the Part D stand-alone
plans.

Finally, Sue, 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 March 1, show the office staff your new
enrollment cards. 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®

Attachment to this letter: Medicare’s protections when moving to another state

WDA:12115

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