Part B deductible will go up from $203 to $217.

Part B premium will go up from $148.50 to $158.50.

The average 2022 premium for Part D coverage will be $33 per month; an increase of $1.53 from 2021 ($31.47).

Many clients, who only use generic drugs, will opt for the low premium ($6.90 for 2022) SilverScript plan and use GoodRx to pay for their medication. With the substantial increase in drug plan generic copay’s, I expect more clients to go that route.

Here is just ONE example.

Rosuvastatin is $12 for 90 pills with GoodRx vs $39.60 with Humana

Tamsulosin is $15 with GoodRx vs $49 with Humana

Ezetimbe is $17 with GoodRx vs $73 with Humana

The annual open enrollment period does not affect nor apply to Medicare Supplement plans as these plans are available without medical underwriting during the beneficiary’s initial enrollment period, and during limited special enrollment periods. 

Direct from Medicare . . .

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. You generally will get better prices and more choices among policies. During that time you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. This period automatically starts the first month you have  Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) and you're 65 or older. It can't be changed or repeated. After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. If you're able to buy one, it may cost more due to past or present health problems.

https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

Scammers are active all year ‘round but they are as thick as thieves during Open Enrollment. They all want to help you look for the RIGHT plan that fits YOUR needs and BUDGET.

They may seem friendly, but be careful. 

Remember this guy? Warm and friendly but had a tendency to miss the big picture.

Here’s one I don’t recall seeing before. This TRICK preys on familiar name recognition direct mail combined with an offer to help you understand ALL your Medicare options.

In the last few days Rachel and I have received advertising mailers from Quicken (banking software), Follow My Health (medical information database used by doctors) and Publix Pharmacy.

The letter inside says “Your (doctor, pharmacy . . .) wants to HELP you find a Medicare plan for 2022. To make this process EASY and SIMPLE, follow the link and use your PERSONAL CODE (included in this letter).

Ask about Medicare Advantage plans that bundle ALL your Medicare benefits together in ONE SINGLE POLICY.

These plans may be available in your area for $0 ADDITIONAL MONTHLY PREMIUM regardless of your income.

You pay LITTLE OR NOTHING FOR . . .

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Eyeglasses and contacts
• And more . . .

The fine print follows and is a MUST READ. You may need a MAGNIFYING GLASS

You can get plan details for the 2022 SilverScript SmartRx plan at

AetnaMedicare.com/PlanDocuments

If you want to search particular drugs, etc hit CTRL and “F” keys at the same time, then click the magnifying glass to search.

You can also use the Pharmacy Locator Tool to find a network pharmacy anywhere in the country.

The 2022 premium for the Aetna SilverScript SmartRx PDP is $6.90. This is a drop in premium from the 2021 pricing.

The deductible is $480 (applies to tier 2 and higher).

You do NOT want to use a Standard pharmacy for ANY medications and probably do NOT want to use a Standard pharmacy for any medications.

SilverScript SmartRx premium DROPS $0.40 per month. Deductible increases to $480, applies to tier 2 and higher.

Elixir RxPLUS ($14.30) is doubling their premium for 2022 to $29.

AARP MedicareRx Preferred premium increases by $10

Anthem MediBlue Rx Enhanced premium goes up by $6; MediBlur Rx Plus is $10 higher.

Cigna SecureRx is $9 higher in 2022, Cigna Secure-Esssential is $12 more

ExpressScripts is not offering plans in 2022.

Humana Premier Rx will be $13 higher in 2022

Mutual of Omaha Premier Rx is increasing the premium by $9 

Below information is relevant to Georgia. YMMV

Pharmacy comments are for CVS, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Walgreens & Walmart only. Did not look at regional pharmacy's other than Publix.

Only considered PREFERRED pharmacy's. (No standard ones)

The list below was prepared 10/3/2021 and some of these may have changed. 

AARP/UHC Walgreens plan has ONLY Walgreens as preferred. The other plans include Kroger, Publix, Walgreens, Walmart. AARP lovers that opt for the lowest premium only better love Walgreens.

Aetna preferred are CVS, Kroger, Costco, Walmart

Anthem preferred are CVS, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Walmart

Cigna - Costco, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart

ClearSpring - CVS, Kroger, Walmart

Elixir - CVS, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Walmart

Express Scripts - GONE, swallowed by Aetna

Humana - Costco, Kroger, Publix, Walmart

Omaha - CVS, Kroger, Walmart

Wellcare - CVS, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Walgreens

Also, consider 3, 6 and 12 month supply for generics when using GoodRx

In October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that generic Wellbutrin, or bupropion, made by Impax Laboratories and distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, be taken off the market, and Impax and Teva have agreed to stop shipping the drug.

The decision is based on an FDA study that found that the extended release (XL) form of bupropion -- Budeprion XL -- at the 300 milligram (mg) dose was not bioequivalent to brand-name Wellbutrin XL at the same dose, suggesting that it may not be as safe and effective.

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=165718

Ask your doctor if trazodone is an effective substitute.

Who is eligible? Should you get one? Where to get your jab?

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=165718

It’s a jungle out there. It isn’t just your imagination. There are fewer choices and the only way to save money is to be a diligent shopper.

Don’t just accept the information from the Medicare Plan Finder as valid. Contact the carrier you THINK you want and run your own reports  . . . or ask them to do it for you.

This year more than ever, significant discrepancies are showing up between what Medicare.gov has vs going to the “source” (the carrier).