Medicare Blog

which drug stores, in the 33947 area, accept michigan blue cross medicare advantage ppo

by Carol Sipes Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Is Walgreens a Medicare preferred pharmacy?

Walgreens will continue to be a part of preferred pharmacy networks with three national Medicare Part D plan sponsors: Humana. UnitedHealthcare.

Is Medicare Plus Blue PPO available in every county in Michigan?

Medicare Plus BlueSM network All of our PPO network plans are available to residents who live in any Michigan county at least six months of the year.

Do insurance companies have preferred pharmacies?

Approximately 50% of employer-sponsored plans have limited or preferred pharmacy networks (Fein 2017). As a result, there is significant scope for lowering prescription drug prices at the 50% of insurance plans that do not currently participate in selective contracting with pharmacies.

Can I use any pharmacy?

The short answer is yes, you can fill a prescription at any pharmacy. However, in some cases your health insurance plan and the medication you need will play a role. For example, some insurance plans have preferred pharmacies.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan a PPO?

Community Blue is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and allows you to choose whether you receive health care services from a Community Blue PPO physician (in-network) or to choose any physician (out-of-network).

What is the difference between Blue Care Network and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan?

Blue Care Network of Michigan is a nonprofit health maintenance organization. We're owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. We've been around since 1998. We have more than 840,000 members.

What's the difference between a standard pharmacy and a preferred pharmacy?

When your pharmacy is a 'Preferred Pharmacy', you get lower pricing and often are allowed to get 90 day supplies of your medications. When your pharmacy is a 'Standard Pharmacy' the pricing will be higher for you on each and every prescription. You also may not be allowed to get 90 day supplies of your medications.

What's the difference between a preferred or standard pharmacy?

Preferred in-network pharmacy: most often offer prescriptions at lowest cost-sharing amount. Standard in-network pharmacy: typically, prescriptions will have a higher cost-sharing amount. Out of network pharmacy: at an out of network pharmacy you will not be able to utilize your prescription drug coverage.

Which is a network pharmacy but not a preferred pharmacy?

"A pharmacy that's part of a Medicare drug plan's [pharmacy] network, but isn't a preferred pharmacy. You may pay higher out-of-pocket costs if you get your prescription drugs from a non-preferred pharmacy instead of a preferred pharmacy."

Can Walmart refuse to fill a prescription?

Individual Walmart pharmacists may refuse to fill a particular prescription of concern (known as a “refusal to fill” or “RTF”), based on the presence of certain unresolved “red flags” (warning signs that a prescription might not be for a legitimate medical purpose) or combinations of unresolved red flags.

Can a pharmacist ask what your prescription is for?

Alterations on a prescription, even if they are from the doctor, can make the pharmacist second guess its validity and prompt them to verify its details with your doctor—which is usually not a fast process.

How do I refill a prescription at a different pharmacy?

Call or visit the new pharmacy to request an Rx transfer. Give the new pharmacy the names of all the medications you want to transfer, along with dosage and Rx numbers. Provide your current pharmacy's contact information. The new pharmacy will contact your old pharmacy and take care of most of the process.

What is Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and , in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Original Medicare. These plans help cover the costs of services provided by hospitals, doctors, lab tests and some preventive screenings. These plans' prescription drug component helps cover medications. Even if a plan's monthly premium is $0, you would still pay the Original Medicare Part B premium, and Part A premium if applicable, to have medical coverage.

How to get extra help for Part D?

For plans with Part D Coverage: You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778 or consult www.socialsecurity.gov; or your Medicaid Office.

How often does Medicare evaluate plans?

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

What is retail drug cost?

The retail drug cost is an estimated amount based on the out-of-pocket expenses you may expect to pay in a calendar year for medications that are not covered by an insurance plan's formulary on estimated retail drug price (retail drug cost is based on national averages for a medication and assumes adherence).

How to contact Medicare by phone?

For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan cover out-of-network?

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan - Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Medicare Plus Blue PPO and BCN Advantage HMO-POS and HMO members, except in emergency situations. For a decision about whether we will cover an out-of network service, we encourage you or your provider to ask us for a pre-service organization determination before you receive the service. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

Go confidently with coverage you can count on

Whether you're up north or in downtown Detroit, you can rest easy knowing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has you covered.

Medicare Advantage plans

Our most popular plans offer comprehensive coverage and benefits at a great value.

Part D prescription drug plans

These plans pair with Original Medicare or a supplement plan to help cover drug costs.

Understand your Medicare plan choices

You can view all our plans in detail to decide which plan's best for you. We have a plan to fit your needs, based on which doctors you prefer and how often you need care.

Still have questions? We have answers

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn which plan will fit your needs.

When is open enrollment for Medicare?

Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 and it provides an annual opportunity for Medicare-eligible consumers to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage. This includes the opportunity to select or make changes to Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D).

What is the initial enrollment period for Medicare?

The Initial Enrollment Period is a limited window of time when you can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) when you are first eligible. After you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A or B, you can select other coverage options like a Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) plan from approved private insurers.

How long does Medicare Part A last?

Title. When to Enroll. Description. When you are first eligible, your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part A and Part B lasts seven months and starts when you qualify for Medicare, either based on your age or an eligible disability.

Do you have to live in the designated geography of the plan you want to enroll in before joining a Medicare Part answer?

You must be entitled to Part A or enrolled in Part B, and you must live in the designated geography of the plan you want to enroll in before joining a Medicare Part D plan. Contact your local Blue Cross Blue Shield company for help choosing a Medicare Part D plan and getting enrolled.

Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?

Medicare Prescription Drug plans are offered by private health insurance companies and cover your prescription drug costs for covered medications. You can choose to receive this coverage in addition to: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with a Medigap Plan. Part D coverage is generally included in most ...

How many Medicare Supplement Plans are there in Michigan?

In most states, including Michigan, there are up to 10 types of standardized Medicare Supplement plans available, which include different levels of coverage for out-of-pocket costs and other benefits. Each plan type is labeled with a letter A through N (for instance, Plan N), and not all plans are available in every location.

How to find out if a prescription drug plan covers your current medication?

If you’re trying to find out if a certain Medicare Prescription Drug Plan covers your current medications, you can check the formulary, which is a detailed list of covered prescription medications and the costs of coverage for each medication (for example, your copayment and coinsurance costs). Plans may change their formularies at any time, but you will be notified in writing when necessary. Some plans may require you to use network providers in order to access benefits.

What is an HMO POS plan?

Medicare Advantage HMO-POS (Point-of-Service) plan: Unlike traditional HMO plans, an HMO-POS plan covers certain services out of network (generally with higher out-of-pocket costs). These plans offer beneficiaries a managed-care model that is similar to HMO plans, but with greater provider flexibility for some services.

Is Medicare Advantage a prescription drug?

Any of the above types of Medicare Advantage plans may be a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan. If you’re interested in enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug benefits, double check with the plan before you apply, since plan benefits and costs may vary, and not every Medicare Advantage plan includes this ...

Does Medicare Advantage include prescription drug coverage?

If you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug benefits (also known as a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan), you’ll have the convenience of having all of your Medica re coverage administered through a single plan. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield ...

Does Medicare cover hospice?

By law, these plans must offer all the coverage of Original Medicare, except for hospice care which remains covered under Part A. Beyond that, these plans have the flexibility to offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as prescription drug coverage and coverage for routine vision, dental, and hearing care.

Does Michigan have Medicare Advantage?

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, you must continue to pay your Part B premium; there may be an additional monthly premium as well, depending on the plan you select . Not all plans may be available in all parts of the state, and plan benefits and premiums may vary depending on where you live.

Why do we stay in touch with Blue Cross?

Because we care about your well-being and want you to get the most from your Blue Cross MedicareRx plan , we stay in touch with you throughout the year.

Does Blue Cross cover prescription drugs?

Blue Cross MedicareRx covers a broad range of prescription drugs. The formulary may be different from what you’re used to, and it can change. The most current formulary is always available online. Share the formulary with your doctor and talk about the drugs you take now.

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