Medicare drug plans have its own list of covered drugs (called a formulary). Many Medicare drug plans place drugs into different “tiers” on their formularies. Drugs in each tier have a different cost.
Lower tiered drugs will generally cost you less than a drug in a higher tier. Your prescriber may think you need a drug that’s on a higher tier. If so, you or your prescriber can sometimes ask your plan for an exception to get a lower co-payment.
Medicare drug plans can make some changes to its formulary during the year within guidelines set by Medicare. If the change involves a drug you’re currently taking, your plan must do one of these:
- Provide written notice to you 60 days prior to the date the change becomes effective.
- At the time you request a refill, provide both of these:
- A written notice of change
- AÂ 60-day supply of drug under the same plan rules as before the change