Getting the most out of your prescription drug benefits

Your prescription drug benefits are one of the most important parts of your Medicare coverage. Getting the right prescriptions, at the right time and at the right price, is a key part of staying healthy.

So what’s the secret to making the most of your Medicare prescription drug benefits? One step is to find out if you qualify for extra assistance to pay for your medications. Other steps include knowing the medications you take, the pharmacies where you can get your prescriptions filled and some specifics about your drug coverage. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Step 1: Know your medications

Make a list of all prescription medications you currently take. Be sure to update the list whenever one of your doctors adds a prescription or tells you to stop taking a particular drug. To make sure your list is accurate, take the information from any pill bottles you have, noting not only the name of the medication but also the strength and how often you take it. And of course, don’t forget to include what condition the medication is meant to treat.

While you can simply keep this information on a piece of paper, it’s often more convenient - and almost always more effective - to keep a digital copy of your list. You can even enter this information on your secure member website. And some plans allow you to keep your list on a mobile app. If you prefer, you can also call the number on your member ID card. A representative who will work with you to get your medication information into the Aetna® system.

You should also share your list with someone you trust, and make sure a copy is accessible in case of emergencies. Plus, don’t forget to share your list with your doctors. They may not necessarily know what you've been prescribed by another doctor.

When speaking with your doctors, also ask if a generic version of your medication is available. Generic medications are as effective as their brand-name versions and may offer big savings. Some plans may require you to begin with the generic version of a drug. You may then progress to other medications only if your condition doesn’t respond to the first medication you’re given.

And remember to look at your plan’s formulary. This is a list of drugs covered by your plan and the level of coverage provided. Your formulary organizes drugs by different tiers. Generally, the lower the tier, the less you pay. You can go online to find your formulary and use the drug search tool to look up the cost of a drug.

Step 2: Know your pharmacies

Another way to save money is to use preferred pharmacies, if offered by your plan. Your plan may include thousands of preferred pharmacies. Getting your medications from these pharmacies will save you money versus getting them from standard pharmacies.

You can find preferred pharmacies on the Aetna Medicare website and on your secure member website. Use the search tool to find preferred and standard pharmacies near you. If you’re still not sure which pharmacies in your area are preferred pharmacies, call the number on your member ID card.

Don’t forget that there are sometimes changes to which pharmacies are preferred, and occasionally in-network pharmacies become out of network. Be sure to check regularly to confirm the status of the pharmacies you use.

Step 3: Know how — and how often — you’ll get your medications

Having a preferred pharmacy close by can be convenient, but it may be even more convenient to get your prescriptions delivered. CVS Caremark® Mail Service Pharmacy* and many other pharmacies deliver free of charge. Just make sure you order your prescription early so you don’t run out of your medication before your delivery arrives.

Another way you can avoid running out of medication is to check if you can order a long-term supply (90- or 100-day) of the drugs you routinely take. Some medications will even cost less per dose if you choose to order a 90- or 100-day supply versus a 30- or 60-day supply.

Depending on your plan, you may also have access to medically trained support staff like case managers and pharmacists through Aetna. For example, with some Medicare Advantage plans, if you’re taking a specialty medication, you'll be able to speak with a specialty pharmacist by phone. They can give you tips on:

• How and how often to take your medications
• How to minimize any side effects from your medications
• How to look for signs your medication is working
  

Last, but not least, keep in touch

The medications you take may change over time. There may also be developments in best practices for taking your medications, new therapies and even new ways you can save money when filling your prescriptions.

You can keep up with these changes by regularly checking your secure member website or signing up to receive emails from us. We’ll provide helpful information like tips for accessing your medications or new discounts available to you. You can sign up for these emails by:

1. Providing your email address when you enroll in your plan
2. Updating your “Profile & Preferences” section on your secure member website
3. Calling the number on your member ID card

Keeping in touch will help you stay informed about your medications. It could also save you time and money when it’s time to refill your prescriptions.
 

CVS Caremark® Mail Service Pharmacy and Aetna® are part of the CVS Health® family of companies.

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. Other pharmacies are available in our network. The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. Aetna Medicare’s pharmacy network includes limited lower cost, preferred pharmacies in: Suburban Arizona, Rural California, Urban Kansas, Rural Michigan, Urban Michigan, Urban Missouri, Rural North Dakota, Suburban West Virginia. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, members please call the number on your ID card, non-members please call 1-855-338-7027 ${tty} or consult the online pharmacy directory at http://www.aetnamedicare.com/pharmacyhelp.
 

About the author

Mark Pabst has worked as a writer and researcher in the health care field for almost two decades. When not writing about health he tries to stay healthy through activities like hiking, climbing and paddling in the far flung corners of his native state of California. However, despite his best efforts he still has a few unhealthy habits he can’t shake, most notably a weakness for jelly donuts.