Healthcare Soundoff. Tracking Today's Vital Issues.

Changing Your Medicare Drug Option (6/6/2007)

I am diabetic and get my drugs through a Medicare Part D program.  Recently my physician decided that the TZDs (Avandia and Actos) were too dangerous for me to take due to the negative FDA reports. He switched me to Insulin.  So I will now need to give myself a shot each day instead of popping a pill.  The mechanisms to give the shot are much more expensive than the pills.  When I calculated my prescription drug needs for 2007 I chose a less expensive program because my drugs were mostly generic and reasonably priced. Now I need to purchase the injection apparatus and it will increase my out of pocket expenditures about $1200 per year.  Can I change my Medicare Part D coverage in the middle of the year.

Unfortunately you are unable to change your coverage other than in the open season for Medicare Part D at the end of every year in anticipation of your needs the following year.  See our posting on the Medicare Part D program.  Also look at the recent posting on regarding pharmacy costs.  One tip we would recommend is to buy in bulk from a mail order operation such as www.diabeticsupplies.com.   They are also experts on Medicare Part D and will be able to assist you in figuring out what program to sign up for next year with your added costs.