APPRISE – Another chance to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan
In 2019, Medicare initiated the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. During this time period, anyone who has a Medicare Advantage Plan can change their current Advantage plan or drop their plan and return to Original Medicare and join a stand-alone Part D plan. The time period is January 1st through March 31st. If you were unable to compare and change plans during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15th through December 7th) this is a chance for you to do that now.
PA Patient Assistance Program Clearinghouse
If the cost of your brand-name drugs is prohibitive, a phone call to the PA PAP Clearinghouse can help you explore if the manufacturer of your brand-name drug offers any assistance with its cost. When you call the number, have a list of your brand-name drugs handy and ask about each one. You’ll be given general information and also told the website or phone number to call and check your eligibility for assistance.
Often the income limits are higher from the drug manufacturer than they tend to be from government benefit programs. Each manufacturer has different criteria for eligibility, and often if you are eligible for assistance, you can get the medication at no cost. You must reapply for the assistance every year.
The organization also has information on various organizations that offer assistance for people with specific health problems.
The phone number for PA PAP Clearinghouse is 1-800-955-0989.