📋 Premiums for Medicare Drug Plans Will Be Less Next Year (AARP Article)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!!

Open enrollment for Part D and Medicare Advantage plans begins Oct. 15.

By Kimberly Lankford, AARP. Published September 27, 2024.

Average monthly premiums for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans will decrease in 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Friday.

The average monthly premium for a stand-alone Part D prescription plan is projected to be $40 next year, a decline of $1.63, almost $20 annually.

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2024/drug-plan-premiums.html

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [3/24/25] @shamit , did your 1st Wellcare EOB arrive in your mail as yet?  🤔

As previously discussed, I got my 1st EOB.

➡️  *** TODAY I got an email from my post office (I signed up) telling me there is mail from Wellcare (with a picture of mail) in my mailbox.

Lol, learn't real fast this does NOT mean it is IN my mailbox. Will check box probably this weekend when I take my trash to dumpster. NOT making a special trip.

I am thinking MAYBE it is my 2nd EOB. Who knows.

Lol, hope it is NOT a letter "changing" my FREE ride = zero cost.

Hmmm, Spring is here on some days here in Virginia. Sowed seeds (indoor and outdoor) and bulbs. Now to see what makes it and what the squirrels and chipmunks dig up.  🙄

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[shamit]

Yes I finally received my first EOB, which was for January.  It was dated February 13, but it came almost 2 weeks later.  I have received my second one dated March 12, which is for February.  So far all 4 prescriptions have been $0.

My thyroid medicine is the most expensive.  I paid $0, but the plan paid $93.20 for a 90 day supply.  So far I haven't received any letters saying there is a change in cost for any of the prescriptions.  I take 3, cholesterol, blood pressure, and thyroid.  The January prescription was for an UTI, so not a maintenance drug.   I am happy so far.

Hope you plants come up and are not food the the animals.  We grow a lot of vegetables, but not many flowers.  We grow blackberries, asparagus, kale, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, collards, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet peppers, tomatoes, basil, rosemary, chives, onions, and probably a few others that I am forgetting.  My husband is a vegetarian so that's why we grow so many different things.  It also helps with the food budget.

The weather here has been mostly in the 70's and 80's.  But we haven't had much rain, so we are in a draught.  We also have had high winds (60+ mph) and high fire danger.  A week ago Friday there were many fires around.  Over 400 buildings burned.  Our town of 18,000 had several shelter for people who were evacuated from a nearby town that suffered a lot of burnt homes.   Still no rain and nearly every day we are a high fire danger.  Winds still get up to 30 to 40 mph but still much better than 60+.

Take care.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [2/24/25] @shamit , have you received any Medicare Part D Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from Wellcare? 🤔

I received my 1st one today in my mailbox.

Wondering IF I can get this "changed" to ELECTRONIC ONLY.

Lol, had just got SilverScript set up after fighting with them ALL OF 2024.

I guess I will call Wellcare THIS FRIDAY when I am home all day = probably a long wait on hold and some foreigner. Was so frustrated when I had called them about my MISSING membership card they claimed was sent. Lady was nice, but it took forever to get her to understand what I was complaining about. Oh well, sign of the times I guess and a test of my old lady patience. 🤣😂

Thanks,

Nicole 👵

[shamit]

I haven't received anything yet.  I had a prescription filled in January but and 3 here in February.  Don't know if or when I'll get an EOB.  I did look at my account online and saw the claims and that I paid $0 on all of them.  

Under the communications preferences they said EOB are not electronic unless you log in to Express Scripts and set it up.  So I guess I should get something in the mail  But our mail is terrible.  So much is misdirected.  I think many people just throw out the stuff that isn't theirs.  At least I can see online what was filled and my cost.  I wonder how often they send EOB's.

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1  I am happy to hear that you got your Blood Pressure Refill.  I still say that person you talked to didn't know what they were saying or doing.  I think when they said they couldn't override it, they actually did override it.  Again I think it is more a CVS thing than a WellCare thing.  

I have to fight nearly every time for my Thyroid Medicine.  They don't have it and have to order and a week later it is still not there.  Then they transfer it to another CVS in the area and they fill it.  And most of the time they wait until day 89 of 90 to refill.  So I always ask to get it refilled about 7-10 days before needed.   And I have had 3 different Drug Plans, and it always seems to be the same thing.  To me it is CVS.

Sorry to hear about the bad weather.  Stay safe.  We had an inch of sleet and freezing rain Wednesday.  They are calling for snow tomorrow and on Wednesday.  It will be very cold for the next 10 days.  Next Thursday are high is supposed to be 18.  Most days in the 20's and 30's.  We are supposed to be in the mid 50's.  We also went out today and stocked up so we can stay home for the next week.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [2/13/24] @shamit , hopefully my TAGGING you = you will get an AARP email "copy" of my post since @AARPConsumerCare has NOT responded to my Medicare Glitch Report. 🙄

Or MAYBE, glitch has been FIXED and THIS POST will "show" on site's MAIN PAGE where hundreds of complaints about AARP and Rock & Roll posts are TODAY. Seems Rock & Roll is more IMPORTANT than DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MEDICARE this year 2025. 😤

I need a "divorce" - the honeymoon is over girl with Wellcare after a 2-month marriage.

Get this.

On MONDAY I have 5 MORE Blood Pressure pills LEFT.

Red Alert = when is my NEXT REFILL going to be READY?

Checked CVS app on my Android.

Autofill on Sunday.

My LAST pill is on Monday and have way too much on my plate to go to CVS on Sunday OR Monday. Depending on WHAT STAFF is there or IF they are OPEN [pharmcy closes whenever when NO staff], I will be able to pick it up.

So I CALLED CVS, had to leave a voicemail. Didnot hear callback but saw where they had called. NO voicdmail left. 🙄

So I CALL AGAIN, wow - a human answered. 😱

Had to REPEAT what I had left on VOICEMAIL. 😤

Youngster said YES I could pick up refill on FRIDAY (tomorrow). I thanked her. 👍

Something told me to CALL just now to CONFIRM refill would be READY TOMORROW. As you know, weather been bad and MORE COMING. 😭

Lol, human answered 😱 and said NO. Insurance will NOT let them "override".

Alrightie, didnot have my OLD LADY TANTRUM (trying to be the grown up here) and said okay.

QUESTION: How far in ADVANCE is Wellcare letting you refill?

Are you having it mailed or pickup?

*** SilverScript NEVER "cut it this close" and I am SO ANGRY. ***

Thinking of CALLING Wellcare once I CALM DOWN to ask IF I am stuck with this ONE DAY BEFORE I RUN OUT refill for Blood Pressure Med. Or is this an error on the part of whatever SOFTWARE they using.

Chlolestral was FILLED A WEEK before I ran out.

Thanks 👵

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1  WOW! I haven't had any problem so far.  They filled my thyroid 5 days before the autofill was scheduled.  My thought is that CVS had been the problem.  They don't want to fill autofill prescriptions until 1 day before you run out.  The problem with that is if the autofill hits on a weekend, they sometimes don't fill it until Tuesday.  

I pick mine up at the local CVS.  I don't like mail because it gets very hot here in the summer and I don't trust if the heat can cause problems with the medication.  I also get a 3 month supply at a time.  I had my doctor write the prescription that way.  Then I only have to hassle with it 4 times a year. 

I would try calling again.  Sometimes the workers just don't know what they are doing or simply don't even try to get the prescription filled.  It doesn't make sense they would fill your cholesterol a week ahead and not your blood pressure medication more than a day ahead.  Makes me think someone at CVS is lazy or inept.  CVS is not known for being good.  Most of them around here get ratings in the 2's.  

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [2/10/25] Did you get your FREE gift from Wellcare @shamit ?

Lol, mine arrived today and got all excited thinking maybe a GIFT CARD = nope, something to hang on the front of your refrigerator (Their website link,app and phone number). 🤣😂

They are so smart. Got me to open mail with the text on outside - Free gift without obligation. Hmmm, I DO NOT call this a GIFT Wellcare = misleading. Anyway, it will join my OTHER JUNK MAIL in the trash. 👍

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1  Yes.  I received that same thing.  But I didn't pay attention to the outside of the envelope.  I didn't realize that it was supposed to be a gift.  Ha-ha.  Not much of a gift. I am just happy to be paying a $0 premium and so far $0 for my prescriptions.  My best Plan D so far, since starting Medicare.

I open most mail without reading the envelope.  I keep what is important and the junk that is burnable goes into a bag for burning in our wood stove.  No worries that any personal information will get into the wrong hands.  All that is left is ash.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [2/7/25] Hi @shamit , so far ZERO money out of my pocket for Wellcare Part D premium. Had to fill ONE of two prescriptions. It was my Chlolestral one and that was ZERO. Lol, now to see IF Blood Pressure one is also ZERO when I run out. GOOD NEWS - Medicare blood test this year = NO pre-diabetes. I guess my daily/nightly walking and low carb Mediterrean diet my doctor suggested paid off.

IF you donot mind my asking, how is it going with your Wellcare Part D?

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1   Things are going good for me too.  I had a UTI in January and the prescription cost me $0.  Just yesterday they filled my Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Thyroid prescriptions.  TOTAL:  $0.  Glad I was able to get these now before next week when the winter weather will hit.  We are supposed to get a wintery mix or maybe all ice.  Yuck!

Hopefully you have the same $0 result on your Blood Pressure one.  Congratulations on the blood test showing no pre-diabetes.  Keep up the good work.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [12/2/24] Hi @shamit , hope you are staying warm.

Lol, I am freezing my a.s off here in Virginia. But no snow for me as yet.

Apparently my 2nd piece of SNAIL MAIL from Wellcare is in my mailbox per my Post Office email. But, NOT believing it, so will wait for my dumpster walk on the weekend to check mailbox (on the way to dumpster). Fool me once with making an extra mailbox trip = NO 1st SNAIL MAIL Wellcare. I am thinking this maybe my ID.  🙄

QUESTION AS I WANT TO GO ONLINE = NO SNAIL MAIL.

(1) Have you received any Wellcare emails?

(2) I am assuming there is an ONLINE ACCOUNT for each member.

Thanks my friend!!!

Nicole  👵

[shamit]

I have received no WellCare emails.  I didn't create an account until I received 2 snail mails from them.  My husband has had them for the last year but takes no medications.  He hasn't received any emails either.  He did receive his snail mail telling him about the changes from 2024 to 2025.  For him it is great,  A drop in premium from $6.30 to $0.  A friend in Texas has WellCare and her premium is dropping from $0.50 to $0.  Her 2 or 3 prescriptions were $0 last year and $0 for this year.  Mine look to be $0 also.  Of course mine are generic.  

Have you created your online account?  I think you have to have your membership number to do it.  My husband has his own online account.  So, I would say Yes to there being an online account for each member.  That is if they have created one.

You are having so much more trouble with this than either I or my husband have had.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/30/24] Hi @shamit , hope your turkey day went well!!!

I just got my 1st SNAIL mail from Wellcare out of my mailbox.

I thought ID card would be included.

Do you have yours?  🤔

Also in their letter mentions IF Medicare APPROVES. Since they are NOW on my ONLINE Medicare Account for my 2025 Part D plan = I am assuming I am AAPROVED.

*** They do say to show PHARMACY letter so it is going into my purse NOW so it is NOT left at home.  🙄

Lol, were you impressed as I was with all the sheets in several DIFFERENT foreign language. Yes, that's Florida for you.  👍  Needless to say they are my 1st trash items since I just took out my trash to dumpster.  🤣😂

Thanks my friend for all your AWESOME help!!!

Nicole  🙃

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1  I received my card earlier in November.  Hope you received yours soon.  It appears as if things take a little longer if you go through a third party.

Have you received a snail mail from SilverScripts saying you have disenrolled from their plan?  I received that after I received WellCare's card.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/25/24] Thanks to you @shamit , I KNEW where to find this!!!

Just checked my ONLINE Medicare Account and it has been CHANGED to Wellcare for my 2025 Part D.

Lol, NOW to hope they stay in business and my prescriptions are not an ARM & LEG.

[1] Signed up through LOA 11/14/24.

[2] Took 10 days to be processed.

[shamit]

Glad everything is now in order for you.  I wouldn't worry about them going out of business.  We had a WellCare prescription plan back in 2020.  

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/24/24] @shamit , them being headquartered in FLORIDA is NOT good. See you in 2025 when WE PICK UP our 1st Wellcare Meds. Lol, we can compare notes. I will miss my ZERO COST for my old plan (deleted).

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[*** SHAMIT wrote: Glad everything is now in order for you.  I wouldn't worry about them going out of business.  We had a WellCare prescription plan back in 2020. ***

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[shamit]

I am not worried about them headquartered in Florida.  They base your premiums on the state and the county you are in.  That is why there are different premiums in different states and even in different counties within the same state.  Our zip code has 3 different counties in it and prices can be different in each one.  We have to enter our county to get the correct price for us.  They base premiums on costs to them for our locality.

If Florida is a problem then they will raise their rates for that state or pull out of that state.  Or maybe just certain counties.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/25/24] @shamit , I am just surprised they would be BASED out of Florida. Oh well, I will see how it goes with them January 2025 to October 2025. CHANGE AGAIN if needed. Thanks again. You certainly UNDERSTAND of this. Did I wish you Happy Thanksgiving = Senior Moment. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1,  I partly wish they based premiums on where the company is located for our Homeowner's premium.  Here in Oklahoma we have one of the highest rates.  Our insurance company is based in a state with lower premiums. We could probably save hundreds of dollars a year.  The average Homeowner's premium here is $5,858.

Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes.  Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/21/24] @shamit , help!!!

(1) Does this attachment say what I think = my request to CANCEL with Aetna Part D Silverscript document is available online to view? It is NOT in my document folder online.

(2) I did call Medicare tonight and still NOT changed.

(3) Neither is it on my online Medicare Account.

Thanks,

Nicole

[shamit]

Wow!  So it hasn't changed in you Medicare Account?  I got a letter in the mail from Aetna after I get my prescription card from WellCare.  I found my disenrollment letter in the Plan Benefit Documents on the Caremark site. It says it was sent October 25.  That was the day before WellCare sent their letter.  

I did my change directly through the Medicare site used for looking for plans for 2025.  I clicked on the button to enroll and answered the questions there.  Printed it up and everything went well.  Maybe the person helping you didn't put the change in the day you were there.  I don't think she was in your Medicare account because you would have had to give her your password.  Maybe it takes a little longer doing it that way.  It did say it could take up to 10 days to show up in your account.  I would definitely be getting in touch with the person who helped you if it is not in your Medicare Account by Monday. 

Hopefully it is just a delay, since you didn't do it directly on the Medicare site.  I guess someone from Medicare would have to enter the change, which might be the delay.

I am glad I did it directly like we have in the past.  It was so easy.  Hopefully things are going to work out.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/16/24] So @shamit , I finally sat down and READ the "printout" the LOA lady gave me.

Hmmm, concerned about the IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN.  🤔🤔🤔

Sounds like they can DENY your application.

And IF they do, NOT much time left to apply elswhere and hope to get approved before the 12/7/24 DEADLINE.

Lol, and I donot know WHY I wasted my time just now CALLING the number at bottom of "printout" - CONTACT THE PLAN DIRECTLY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.  🤣😂

Got a girl (youngster) who didnot speak English. Then before I hung up (was on hold forever for her to TRANSFER me), thought I was TRYING to sign up. Hmmm, told you SEVERAL times I have and was ASKING about my application.

Then looked at website url beside the phone number. ZERO way to find out.

Also, the address for my Wellcare Value Script (PDP) is a PO box in Tampa, Florida.

I am in Virginia.

[1] Do you and/or your husband have the SAME plan as I do?

[2] About how long AFTER signing up did you know you were APPROVED?

What a pain all of this is.

Oh, got an email from AETNA to say I can VIEW my 2025 Part D setup. I sincerely hope WELLCARE accepts my application.

Thanks my friend,

Nicole  👵

[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1, I believe we have the same plan as you have signed up for.  Ours has a PO box in Tampa, FL also.  It takes a few days for them to process it.  You can check on your Medicare account and see if it has been added in a few days.  I saw it on my account before I received the prescription card in the mail.  It shows that it will be starting on 1/1/2025.

I received 2 mailings from Wellcare.  The first had the card and the second had a welcome kit.  I have also received a letter from Aetna saying I was disenrolled from their plan for next year.  They said to contact them if I had not done this.  I enrolled on October 22.  The date on the mailing from Wellcare was October 26.  And the date on the Aetna letter was October 28.  But it took over a week before I got the mailings.

I printed up my application when I enrolled and it says to allow 10 for it to show up in your Medicare account.  But it didn't take that long for me.  I wouldn't be too worried.  This is my third plan and my husband has had 3 plans and we have never been denied.  It always takes so long after approval for them to process the letter and then of course the long wait for the USPS to deliver it.  Check your account over the next few days.  I am sure it will show up before you get notified in the mail.  It will relieve your mind a little sooner that way.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/16/24] Thanks @shamit , I am heading to check my MEDICARE online account. I use to live in Florida and my daugther still does. I am VERY CONCERNED Wellcare seems to be from there. Insurance drama and companies leaving or going belly up. Lol, I hope Wellcare stays in biz until ANOTHER cheap plan for my Virginia ZIP CODE arrives.  🤣😂

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[*** SHAMIT wrote: I believe we have the same plan as you have signed up for.  Ours has a PO box in Tampa, FL also.  It takes a few days for them to process it.  You can check on your Medicare account and see if it has been added in a few days.  I saw it on my account before I received the prescription card in the mail.  It shows that it will be starting on 1/1/2025.

I received 2 mailings from Wellcare.  The first had the card and the second had a welcome kit.  I have also received a letter from Aetna saying I was disenrolled from their plan for next year.  They said to contact them if I had not done this.  I enrolled on October 22.  The date on the mailing from Wellcare was October 26.  And the date on the Aetna letter was October 28.  But it took over a week before I got the mailings.

I printed up my application when I enrolled and it says to allow 10 for it to show up in your Medicare account.  But it didn't take that long for me.  I wouldn't be too worried.  This is my third plan and my husband has had 3 plans and we have never been denied.  It always takes so long after approval for them to process the letter and then of course the long wait for the USPS to deliver it.  Check your account over the next few days.  I am sure it will show up before you get notified in the mail.  It will relieve your mind a little sooner that way. ***]

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[shamit]

My husband and I had a Wellcare prescription plan when we first signed up in 2020.  In 2021 we both switched to Silverscripts.  That's where I have stayed until now.  My husband switched to this Wellcare plan in 2023 for this year 2024.

Most of the insurance drama in Florida is Homeowners Insurance.  The supplement plan we signed up for at first we only kept for 1 year.  They notified us that they were no longer going to offer Medicare supplement plans anywhere in the US.  But those of us who had it would still keep it.  That meant there would be no younger people joining and we knew the rates would skyrocket. 

So we went through underwriting and obtained another company's Plan G.  Glad we had no serious problems.  We applied over the phone.  Before we concluded everything we were notified that we were accepted and no surcharges.  This will get harder as you get older.  But the nice thing for us is that Oklahoma instituted a Birthday Rule.  So we will be able to choose another supplement plan at our birthday if we want without underwriting.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [11/16/24] @shamit , thanks for background on insurance and telling me where to FIND my 2025 Part D info. Shows Aetna SilverScript as of NOW.

***  Drug Insurance (Part D)
SilverScript Choice (PDP)
Coverage start date
1/1/2025.

*** My daughter has PROGRESSIVE for car and townhouse. Before I left in 2015, GEICO for me. I have ALLSTATE for my car here in Virginia. Three times CHEAPER here than in Florida with Aetna (2006 Hyundai Elantra).

Lol, well thanks for the good news = more difficult as I age. Another INCENTIVE to eat healthy & exercise so I can get off my Blood Pressure and Chlolestral meds. And cancel the Pre-Diabetes diagnosis for this year's Medicare lab work. But I am MISSING my chocolate cake and ice  cream.  😭😭😭

Oh well. Thanks again my friend for your help. Nicole

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[*** SHAMIT wrote: My husband and I had a Wellcare prescription plan when we first signed up in 2020.  In 2021 we both switched to Silverscripts.  That's where I have stayed until now.  My husband switched to this Wellcare plan in 2023 for this year 2024.

Most of the insurance drama in Florida is Homeowners Insurance.  The supplement plan we signed up for at first we only kept for 1 year.  They notified us that they were no longer going to offer Medicare supplement plans anywhere in the US.  But those of us who had it would still keep it.  That meant there would be no younger people joining and we knew the rates would skyrocket. 

So we went through underwriting and obtained another company's Plan G.  Glad we had no serious problems.  We applied over the phone.  Before we concluded everything we were notified that we were accepted and no surcharges.  This will get harder as you get older.  But the nice thing for us is that Oklahoma instituted a Birthday Rule.  So we will be able to choose another supplement plan at our birthday if we want without underwriting. ***]

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[shamit]

@SummerOnTheWay1, Once the Wellcare gets approved the below 

SilverScript Choice (PDP)
Coverage start date
1/1/2025

will change to WellCare.  I didn't think it would have been approved yet.  It's only been 2 to 3 days since you applied.  But there is a good chance it will be approved by the end of the week. Hope you hear soon.