Medicare covers a lot, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologic disease modifying drugs. However, patients may still have significant out-of-pocket treatments with DMARDs. A study published in 2015 found that nearly all Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans cover at least one DMARD but that patients still pay an average of more than $2,700 in out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have clients with RA, it’s vitally important that they find a plan with the best coverage possible for the drugs they need. Even if your client isn’t paying the full cost, RA medications can be extremely expensive, especially over the course of a lifetime. Refer them to Medicare BackOffice® so our Licensed Insurance Agents can compare Part D plans from various insurance providers and find one that that fits their needs and budget. While you don’t have to know how Medicare covers RA drugs, knowing the potential threat to your clients’ finances can help you actively manage the risk to their retirement income. Encourage all clients to review their Part D Prescription Drug plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
