We Help You With Medicare.
The Perils of the Prescription Drug Program
HOW TO NAVIGATE MEDICARE PART D
“Clear as mud,” was a favorite saying of my high school algebra teacher. Many say the same thing of Medicare part D, the prescription drug program! Part D began in 2006, and these prescription drug programs (PDP) are offered by insurance companies that contract with Medicare. Since Medicare beneficiaries are not auto-enrolled in a part D plan, enrollment must be initiated. While part D enrollment is voluntary, those who enroll in Medicare and delay enrollment in part D without a qualifying reason may be subject to a permanent late enrollment penalty. Each PDP has five drug tiers with associated copays (preferred generic, generic, preferred brand, non-preferred, and specialty). All Medicare part D programs have the same four-stage structure; deductible (some plans do not make the member pay this amount), initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic coverage. The month-to-month accumulation of prescription drug cost determines which stage the member is in. All accumulations reset to $0 on January 1.
Those with income and assets below certain thresholds who apply and qualify for Medicare’s extra help with prescription drugs or Medi-Cal may experience reduced copays with no coverage gap. There are two ways to get a part D PDP, enroll in a stand-alone PDP (often teamed with a Medicare supplement policy) or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan with a built-in PDP (MA-PD). Medicare prescription drug programs are definitely not one-size- fits-all. Premiums, deductibles, copays, and pharmacy access vary from one plan to the next. Helping you navigate the PDP or any other facet of Medicare is what we do at Lyndon Thomas Insurance. We help you understand the intricacies of Medicare and are able to enroll you in the plan that’s best for you. Reviews of your PDP during the annual enrollment period at no cost to you is a “value-added” benefit here at LTI.
SUDOKU
AVOCADO AND CUCUMBER COLD SOUP
Summer may be drawing to a close, but the heat doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere soon. Cool off with this light, cold soup and enjoy those last few sunny summer afternoons! Recipe inspired by kirantarun.com.
Ingredients
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Olive oil
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1 lemon, juiced ½ cup cold water
2 medium ripe avocados, halved
1 large cucumber, halved 6 stalks spring onions
1 clove garlic
¾ teaspoon salt
1 jalapeno
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat grill to medium-high. 2. Coat halved avocados with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot. 3. Grill vegetables until everything
4. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper. 5. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and refrigerate to cool before serving. 6. Garnish with toasted cubed bread, avocados, spring onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
is grilled or slightly charred. Once grilled, remove and place on platter to cool.
Solution
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