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Lower out-of-pocket drug costs
The Inflation Reduction Act reduces the cost of insulin and vaccines. These benefits apply regardless of your plan's drug tier and deductible.
$35 insulin cap
With the law, people with Medicare pay no more than $35 for a month’s supply of insulin. This applies to Medicare Part B and Part D insulins.
$0 vaccines
With the law, people with Medicare will pay nothing out-of-pocket for adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Some examples of vaccines covered include RSV, shingles, and tetanus / diphtheria / pertussis.
Other changes include lower cost-share for some drugs and expanded access to premium help.
Catastrophic Phase
No copay for your prescriptions in the Catastrophic Phase
Medicare has a limit to what you have to pay out-of-pocket for your covered Part D drugs each year. Once you reach that limit, you enter the Medicare Catastrophic Phase. This means beginning January 1, 2025, once you reach the Catastrophic Phase, you'll pay nothing for your covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.
Extra Help
Check your eligibility for the “Extra Help” or low-income subsidy (LIS) program
People with Medicare who earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level are now eligible for the low-income subsidy (LIS), or “Extra Help” program. Everyone who qualifies for Extra Help will pay $0 in premiums, $0 in deductibles, and a lower cost for generic and brand-name drugs.
Part B drugs
Pay less for eligible Part B drugs
Drug companies that raise the prices of certain drugs faster than the rate of inflation are now required to pay Medicare a rebate. Those savings lower your cost-share for some Part B drugs. To learn more and find out if your drug is included, ask your pharmacist. These drugs may change each quarter. This change doesn’t apply to Part D drug coverage.
2025 Medicare changes
$2,000 Part D out-of-pocket maximum
Medicare Part D enrollees will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for annual prescription drug costs.
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
Medicare Part D enrollees will have the option to pay their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in monthly payments, spread over the year, rather than all at once. To learn more, read the CMS fact sheet (PDF).
How to enroll in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
Current Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) Medicare Advantage plan members can opt in to the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan if they prefer to pay in monthly installments.
There are 3 ways to enroll:
- Online: Log in to Blue Connect℠
- By phone: Call the number on the back of your member ID card.
- By mail: Complete and mail the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan enrollment form (PDF) and return it to Blue Cross NC, Mailstop: 1001, MPPP Election Dept., 13900 N. Harvey Avenue, Edmond, OK 73013
Blue Cross NC is working to make health care more affordable, easier to navigate, and accessible for all. That work includes ensuring Medicare enrollees have access to affordable prescriptions when they need them.
Disclosures:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PDP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina depends on contract renewal.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Senior Health DBA Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an HMO-POS D-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a NC State Medicaid Agency Contract (SMAC). Enrollment in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Senior Health depends upon contract renewal.
Blue Medicare Supplement plans offered: Plan A: BMS A, 1/24, Plan G: BMS G, 1/24, Plan HI DED G: BMS HDG, 1/24, Plan K: BMS K, 1/24, Plan N: BMS N, 1/24.
Blue Medicare Supplement is not endorsed by or affiliated with the United States Government or the federal Medicare program.
The federal government requires all Medicare Advantage members to continue paying their Part B premium each month.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, mental or physical disability, health status, claims experience, medical history, genetic information, evidence of insurability, sexual orientation or source of payment. All Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina items and services are available to all eligible beneficiaries in the service area.
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Current as of 07/12/2024 | Y0079_12997_M CMS Accepted 11132024 | U36079, 6/24
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