Question: My Medicare Part D plan is not covering a drug that my doctor prescribed. What can I do? - D.W., Dallas
Answer: Find out why the drug wasn’t covered. Your doctor may just need to fill out a prior authorization form each year explaining why you need the drug. If insurance still doesn’t cover it, ask your pharmacist for the cash price, which may be less with coupons or discount programs found through GoodRx.
Alternatively, ask your doctor if you can switch to another drug that is covered by your insurance. Many plans have online tools listing these “therapeutic alternatives” and showing how much you’d pay.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
If that doesn’t work, your doctor can request an exception or file an appeal (see medicare.gov/appeals). Your pharmacist and State Health Insurance Assistance Program can help (see shiptacenter.org).
-
The Investing Strategies I Teach Young MothersThese simple investing strategies were developed to help single mothers, but they'll help all young people build a decent nest egg.
-
Will You Pay Taxes on Your Social Security Benefits?You might, depending on your income, but smart financial planning now can help lower or even eliminate your taxes in the future.
-
Credit Report Error? They All Mattercredit & debt Don't dismiss a minor error. It could be the sign of something more serious.
-
Insurance for a Learning Driverinsurance Adding a teen driver to your plan will raise premiums, but there are things you can do to help reduce them.
-
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids529 Plans You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
-
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Accountsavings Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
-
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
retirement If you leave your job while you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, Uncle Sam now gives you extra time to repay it -- thanks to the new tax law.
-
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Investing in travel insurance can help recover some costs when your vacation gets ruined by a natural disaster, medical emergency or other catastrophe.
-
What Travel Insurance Covers When Planes Are Grounded
Travel Your travel insurance might help with some costs if your trip was delayed because of the recent grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes.
-
Ways to Spend Your Flexible Spending Account Money by March 15 Deadline
spending Many workers will be hitting the drugstore in the next few days to use up leftover flexible spending account money from 2018 so they don’t lose it.
