The main criticism on Medicare Part D plans is that there are varying lists between plans, that is,

You can expect to find a different list of excluded drugs by different plan providers.

There is, however, a so-called “base line” list of drugs that Medicare Part D excludes. These include, of course, drugs disapproved for use by the Food and Drug Administration, drugs not available in the United States and drugs that are available under Part A and Part B of Medicare.

 

There are also certain classes of drugs that are excluded in Part D, including:

• Fertility drugs
• Drugs for weight gain, weight loss, or for treating anorexia
• Drugs for treating erectile dysfunction
• Cosmetic drugs like drugs
• Cough and cold suppressants
• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates
• Vitamins and minerals except prenatal vitamins

Although they are excluded in a basic Part D plan, plan providers can otherwise include them as a supplementary benefit if they fit a Part D drug definition. The costs of such drugs, however, cannot be passed on to Medicare.

Not all Part D plans are created alike. In fact, Part D plans are not even required to pay for all drugs that are covered under Part D. Different plan providers have their own set of formularies, or list of Part D drugs that they are willing to make a payment.

It pays to check out the formularies of the plan providers in your area. Choosing two to three plans would typically be enough, but if you have time to waste, you can actually go through all the plans available in your area (some areas in the United States have 100 plans offered by 50 different providers).

Keep in mind that with each year, Part D plan providers tend to change their formularies or the list of drugs covered under their plans. This is one reason why Part D plans are patronized only by a fraction of the people who are set to benefit from it. The minimum amounts or the Standard Benefit Plan changes with each year too.

This is certainly the case of the Medicare Part D 2009, where there are increases in the deductible amount, coverage limit, maximum amount of out-of-pocket expenses, and co-payment. Part D is an optional supplemental coverage to your main Medicare plan, but if you opt for this plan, you would typically pay from $35 to $37 per month (as of 2008 Part D).

Medicare Part D plans come in different forms: HMO plans, PPO plans, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, and Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service plans. Enrolment for the 2009 Part D doesn’t start until November 15, 2008 (it ends December 31, 2008).

You can enjoy the benefits of your Part D plan right away at the beginning of 2009. If you decide on a Medicare Advantage Plan during the enrolment period but would like to switch to a PDP plan at the start of 2009, you can always make the switch from January 1 to March 31, 2009, during a special enrolment period.