If you’re reading this, it means you’re exploring your options for prescription drug plans in South Florida. As a Florida health insurance specialist, we’re here to guide you on this important journey. Prescription drug coverage is invaluable in ensuring that you can manage your health without any unanticipated costs. There are a variety of options available to you, and it’s important to know which one works best for your needs.
Prescription Drug Plan Features
- Formulary: A formulary is a list of medications covered under your plan. Each insurance company has a unique formulary that includes both brand-name and generic drugs.
- Deductibles: This is the amount you have to pay for your prescriptions before your insurance starts to cover them. Some plans may offer coverage for certain drugs even before the deductible is met.
- Copayments and coinsurance: These are your share of the cost of your prescription drugs after your deductible is met. Copayments are a fixed amount, while coinsurance is a percentage of the cost.
- Pharmacy networks: These are specific pharmacies where your plan’s benefits apply. You may have to pay more if you go to a pharmacy outside of your network.
Now that you understand these key terms, let’s dive into the various prescription drug plans available in South Florida.
Types of Prescription Drug Plans in South Florida
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
If you’re on Medicare, you can sign up for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). These plans are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare. They’re designed to help cover the cost of prescription drugs and may also cover certain vaccines.
Medicaid Prescription Drug Plans
Medicaid, a joint federal and state program, provides prescription drug coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. The level of benefits can vary by state, but all states provide certain mandatory benefits.
Private Employer-Sponsored Prescription Drug Plans
If you’re employed, your employer might offer a private prescription drug plan as part of your benefits package. These plans can widely differ in terms of cost, coverage, and out-of-pocket expenses. Upon enrollment, you will receive a formulary list that outlines the drugs covered under your plan. 
Individual Marketplace Prescription Drug Plans
You could also purchase a health insurance policy through the Health Insurance Marketplace. All Marketplace insurance plans offer prescription drug coverage, but the actual cost will depend on the specific plan you choose, your location, and the medications you take.
Can I use my prescription drug plan in conjunction with other insurance coverage?
Indeed, it’s possible to use your prescription drug plan along with other insurance coverage, although the specificities can vary. The key term you should be familiar with is “coordination of benefits.” Coordinating benefits is essentially how your various insurance plans work together to cover your medical costs, including prescription drugs.
How coordination of benefits works
Typically, you’ll designate one plan as your primary and the others will be secondary or tertiary. Your primary plan takes care of the payment first, then any remaining costs go to the secondary plan, and so on. Remember, the order isn’t arbitrary; your insurance providers have a system in place to determine which plan is primary.
It’s important to notify all your insurers about your multiple coverages to avoid any payment delays or denials of your claims. Moreover, while coordinating benefits can be beneficial, it does not always mean your out-of-pocket costs will be completely covered.
Coordination with Medicare
If you have Medicare along with another insurance, like a group health plan from a former employer, coordination of benefits rules will apply. Other factors like your age, whether you’re retired, and the size of the company providing your insurance also come into play in determining which is your primary payer.
Coordination with Medicaid
If you have Medicaid and another type of insurance, your other insurance will typically be the primary payer, with Medicaid acting as your secondary coverage. Medicaid being a state and federally-funded program is designed to be the payer of last resort.
About Maria Elena Alzate
Your path to access needed medications doesn’t have to be hard. Now that you’ve gone through the different prescription drug plan options available in South Florida, the next step is choosing a plan that suits your personal needs. As a Florida health insurance specialist, always feel free to reach out to us if you need help navigating through this journey.
Maria Elena Alzate is South Florida’s trusted health insurance consultant specializing in:
- Prescription drug plans
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Medicare supplement plans
- Health insurance for individuals and families
