The COVID-19 pandemic has made life difficult for numerous Americans. Not surprisingly, many people have expressed concerns about how the virus will affect their Medicare drug plan’s rules. Here’s what you should know about getting prescriptions in disasters or emergencies.

You May Get Mail or Home Delivery

If it’s hard for you to access a retail pharmacy or if you’re not able to go (due to quarantine or illness), Medicare Part D plans may let you get a mail or home delivery from a pharmacy that offers delivery services.   

Relaxed Rules for Prescription Refills

Insurers have prescription refill rules that restrict the amount of medication you can get during a certain period. However, during the outbreak, drug plans must loosen their ‘refill-too-soon’ policy. They must allow you up to a 90-day supply in one fill — unless amounts are more restricted for safety reasons.  

Things to Know About Pharmacies

If you have a prescription drug plan and your state has warned of a possible emergency or disaster here’s how to use in-network and out-of-network pharmacies:

• If you can’t visit your typical network pharmacy to replace your prescriptions, contact your plan to locate another nearby network pharmacy. A network pharmacy agrees to provide members of select Medicare plans with services and supplies at a reduced cost. Your prescription drugs are only paid for under some Medicare plans if you have them filled at network pharmacies.  

• You can move most drugs from one network pharmacy to another, and back to your usual pharmacy when the emergency or disaster ends.

• If your medications got left behind, lost, or damaged due to a disaster, contact your plan. They can help you locate another network pharmacy. 

• If you can’t access a network pharmacy, your plan can help you obtain drugs at an out-of-network pharmacy. You’ll likely need to pay the full cost of the drugs when you fill your prescriptions.

Also, you purchase a Part D plan through an agent at Trusted Senior Specialists. We provide excellent customer service while making sure your policy covers the prescriptions you need.

Additional Extended-Day Supplies

If you think you’ll be away from home for a while, consider getting an extended-day supply (a 60- to 90-day supply) of your prescriptions. Ask your plan if it offers extended-day supplies and which pharmacies you can go to get them.

For more on getting prescription drugs during a disaster or emergency, contact Trusted Senior Specialists. We know the health insurance industry inside and out. You can also call us directly at (844) 325-8710.