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You've probably heard about Medicare's prescription drug coverage, sometimes called Medicare Part D. Part D works differently than Medicare Part A and Part B. To get Part D, you choose a Medicare prescription drug plan from a private company, like BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. We offer two plans, MedBlue RxSM and MedBlue RxSM Plus.
The more you know about Medicare's prescription drug coverage, the better prepared you'll be to make informed decisions that can save you money and give you peace of mind.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is Insurance
The federal government helps pay for Part D. To get this coverage, you must join a Medicare prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, like Medicare BlueSM and Medicare BlueSM Plus. Like other types of insurance, there is a monthly premium that varies depending on the type of plan you choose. You then pay a share of the cost of your prescriptions.
Everyone with Medicare Can Join
Anyone who is entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B and who lives in South Carolina is eligible to join a plan, regardless of income and resources, pre-existing conditions or current prescription drug expenses. You do not have to participate. It's your choice. Just like with other types of insurance, however, the longer you wait, the higher your premiums may be.
Extra Help Is Available for People Who Need It
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/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-325-0778. Or call your state Medicaid office.
Savings and Peace of Mind
We offer two Medicare prescription drug plans, MedBlue Rx and MedBlue Rx Plus, designed to save you money and protect you from high out-of-pocket drug costs. Here are the features of each drug plan:
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Features of MedBlue Rx
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Features of MedBlue Rx Plus
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Low monthly premium of $28.40
- No deductible
- 34-day supply - $7 copayment for Generic drugs, $41 copayment for Preferred Brand and 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs
- 90-day supply through retail pharmacies or mail order - $14 copayment for Generic drugs, $92 copayment for Preferred Brand drugs for the first $2,510 in drug costs, and 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs.
- After you spend $4,050 in a calendar year, you pay the greater of $2.25 for Generic and Preferred Brand drugs, and $5.60 for all other drugs, or 5% of the drug cost for the rest of the calendar year. The Plan pays the rest.
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Over 58,000 network pharmacies nationwide and over 900 in South Carolina
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- Monthly premium of $60.00
- No deductible
- Open formulary (list of covered drugs)
- $8 generics in the coverage gap
- Predictable cost sharing
- 34-day supply - $8 copayment for Generic drugs, $36 copayment for Preferred Brand drugs, $56 copayment for Non-preferred Brand drugs for the first $2,510 in drug costs, 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs
- 90-day supply through retail pharmacies or mail order - $16 copayment for Generic drugs, $72 copayment for Preferred Brand drugs, $112 copayment for Non-preferred Brand drugs and 33% coinsurance for Specialty drugs.
- After you spend $4,050 in a calendar year, you pay the greater of $2.25 for Generic and multi-source Preferred Brand drugs, and $5.60 for all other drugs, or 5% of the drug cost for the rest of the calendar year. The Plan pays the rest.
- Over 58,000 network pharmacies nationwide and over 900 in South Carolina
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Compare Drug Plan Costs
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Plan Name
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Monthly Premium
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Rx Coverage
(Retail pharmacy amounts up to 34-day supply)
Save even more using mail order!
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MedBlue Rx
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$28.40
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Annual Drug Cost
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$0-$2510
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Over $2510
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Over $4050
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Rx Type
Generic
Preferred Brand
Specialty
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You Pay
$7**
$41**
33%
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You Pay
100%
100%
100%
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You Pay *
$2.25 or 5%
$2.25 or 5%
$5.60 or 5%
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MedBlue Rx Plus
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$60.00
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Annual Drug Cost
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$0-$2510
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Over $2510
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Over $4050
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Rx Type
Generic
Preferred Brand
Non-preferred Brand
Specialty
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You Pay
$8***
$36***
$56***
33%
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You Pay
$8
100%
100%
100%
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You Pay*
$2.25 or 5%
$2.25 or 5%
$5.60 or 5%
$5.60 or 5%
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*Once your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs reach $4,050, you pay $2.25 or 5% (whichever is greater) for Generic and Preferred Brand drugs. For Non-preferred brand and specialty prescription drugs, the payment is $5.60 or 5%, whichever is greater.
** You can receive a 90-day supply through mail order or at retail pharmacies for $14 for Generic drugs and $92 for Preferred Brand drugs.
*** You can receive a 90-day supply through mail order or at retail pharmacies for $16 for Generic drugs, $72 for Preferred and $112 for Non-preferred Brand drugs.
More Information
Get more specific details on MedBlue Rx or MedBlue Rx Plus.
Important Information for Pharmacists
Contact Us
If you don't have coverage with us yet, please contact us:
Toll free at 1-800-930-2836 (TTY 1-800-681-3846) -- 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
During our annual open enrollment period from November 15, 2007 to March 1, 2008, our hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Medicare Advantage Marketing, P.O. Box 100206, Columbia, SC 29223-3206
Current members, please contact us:
Toll free at 1-888-645-6025 (TTY 1-888-645-6023) -- 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
During our annual open enrollment period from November 15, 2007 to March 1, 2008 our hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
MedBlue Rx, P.O. Box 100191, Columbia, SC 29202-3191
Please call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov for more information about Medicare. You can call this national Medicare helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The TTY/TDD number is 1-877-486-2048 (you need special telephone equipment to use this number). Calls to these numbers are free.
Send premium payments to:
Attn: CASHIERS, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Mail Code: AA-G31, P.O. Box 6000, Columbia, SC 29260-6000
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina contracts with the federal government.
Last updated: 10/8/07