Brian Connell
There are new Medicare changes starting in January 2025 that will benefit cancer patients. LLS Vice President of Federal Affairs, Brian Connell, joins us again on The Bloodline to inform us about these new changes and how they will impact Medicare patients.
In this episode, you will learn about the key changes for Part D, the prescription drug plan for Medicare, as well as the drug plan for Medicare Advantage. One of these new changes requires action on the part of the Medicare enrollee, so be sure to tune in to learn more about how you can benefit.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Spotify | Pandora | Blubrry | JioSaavn | Podchaser | More
CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey.Mentioned on this episode:
- Medicare Change Information
- Medicare.gov
- SHIP counselors
- Be Informed: Beneficial Medicare Changes podcast episode
- Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare
- Information Specialists
- Advocacy and Public Policy
- Financial support
Additional LLS Support Resources:
Thank you for your support it means a lot to me I have no family support whatsoever or friends to lean on you and God is all I need I appreciate you 💗 God bless you all
Excellent information!
Medicare Changes Fact Sheet
The link doesn’t work.
Hi Kent,
Thank you for letting us know about the link. We have updated it to https://lls.org/article/get-informed-important-changes-medicare-part-d.
This only applies to meds covered by Medicare. 2 of my drugs aren’t part of the “formulary,” so not part of the $2k cap. That needs to change. If my doctor prescribed it, it should be covered.
Hi Maryann,
Cancer drugs should be covered. Every single Part D plan has to include every single drug in these categories: anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antineoplastics, antipsychotics, antiretrovirals, and immunosuppressants. Outside of those guaranteed classes, if you need a drug that’s not covered by your plan, you can also work with your doctor to secure a medical exception that allows your off-formulary drug to be treated as an on-formulary drug for the purposes of their cost-sharing.
However, we would recommend finding a plan during open enrollment that will cover those certain drugs. You can also talk to a SHIP counselor for assistance at http://www.shiphelp.org.
Excellent podcast and overview
Extremely useful information well presented. Thanks!!
The link to the Medicare Changes Fact Sheet doesn’t work.
Hi LeRoy,
Thank you for letting us know about the link. We have updated it to https://lls.org/article/get-informed-important-changes-medicare-part-d.
thank you for your work, and for providing the update on Medicare coverage of prescription drugs.
Wonderful, informative information and resource links. Thank you
I have both multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia. Fortunately both in remission. My issue is with the prescription drug program. Both my wife and I are enrolled in Part D. But, I did not enroll until about 5 years after retirement because I worked 33 years for a health care organization which provided a discount to retired employees. Now we pay a penalty of approximately $80/month. Does not seem fair.
Nice info. I dont start medicare until late 2025
Thank you! Quite informative!
Wonderful information and thank you for the important information and resource links. I have Multiple Myeloma diagnosed on 30 July 2024.
I have a question, Thank you so much for your support. Since I am getting help from your organization, should I enroll in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan? What are the advantages and disadvantages? I appreciate getting a reply from you!! Thank you.
Hello Bhargavi,
Thank you for your question! The benefit of enrolling in the plan would be to spread out the out-of-pocket maximum throughout the year if you expect to have over $2,000 in prescription medication costs. We also have a “How Do I?” video that explains it further. It is part of our “How Do I?” video series in the insurance section. We hope this is helpful!
If you have further questions, we would recommend contacting our Information Specialists at 800-955-4572 or go to LLS.org/ContactUs.
Thank you!
LLS Staff