subject: Medicare Part D Premiums - What You Will Really End Up Paying For Your Prescriptions [print this page] There is quite a range when it comes to Medicare Part D premiums. The various providers of these plans have a lot of freedom regarding prices for copayments, premiums, and deductibles. Although they all adhere to a set of guidelines set up by the government, it does not dictate exactly what companies need to charge. Luckily, depending on your prescription requirements, there will be a Part D plan that works well with your needs. Selecting the right program will ensure that you get the best coverage possible while still paying the lowest rates.
Although super-low monthly premiums may seem like an obvious choice, they are not always necessarily the best option. For people that currently do not take medication or for those that have very common prescriptions, going with a plan that offers a low monthly cost might make the most sense. However, if the drugs that you require are out of the ordinary or if you have a complicated medical condition, it actually might end up saving you more money to go with a plan that requires a higher premium. The reason for this is that slightly more costly Medicare Part D premiums usually mean more comprehensive coverage. However, even the most expensive monthly costs still tend to be very reasonable.
Having the added security of expanded coverage can often be a huge advantage when it comes to the Part D program. The different providers are not required to cover all types of medications. Some only include certain ones. The reasons for this are varied, but it is sometimes done to encourage the use of one prescription over another, usually due to its cost. Some medications are fairly interchangeable, such as a number of generic versions versus their brand-name counterparts. However, some conditions require highly specific prescriptions. Therefore, it would not benefit the patient to go with a company offering lower Medicare Part D premiums if their plans are not willing to cover these medications.
Even though it can seem a bit confusing, having a variety of options for providers can actually work to your advantage as long as you do your homework and choose correctly. It is just important to keep in mind that the lowest monthly premium prices do not necessarily translate to the lowest cost. Medicare Part D premiums vary from plan to plan and should not be the sole factor that you should use when choosing a provider.
