As the new year begins, people with Medicare who have already joined a Medicare drug plan can take advantage of the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. Since this is a new program for Medicare, you might have questions about how to use your Medicare drug plan. For instance, what if you joined a plan but haven’t received a plan ID card in the mail yet? Or, what if your drugs were covered by Medicaid and you’re not sure how to get your medicines now? Whatever questions you have, Medicare has answers.
First Pharmacy Trip
Here are some tips people with Medicare can use to make sure their first trip to the pharmacy goes smoothly:
• When you first join a Medicare drug plan, you’ll get an acknowledgement letter in the mail about a week after you join. Your plan ID card should arrive three to five weeks later.
• If you need to go to the pharmacy before your ID card arrives, bring the acknowledgement letter from your plan, your Medicare and/or Medicaid card, and a photo ID.
• Save the receipts from your pharmacist.
• For additional assistance, call 1-800-MEDICARE, 24 hours a day, seven days a...