SITKA, October 7, 2020 – To help patients secure health insurance coverage, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) recently launched a pilot program to pay patient premiums for Medicare Part D for eligible Native American and Alaska Native beneficiaries. SEARHC has identified more than 1,000 eligible patients across the Consortium who could qualify for this program to receive non-formulary medications with no out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Part D covers most outpatient prescription drugs, including antiseizure, antidepressants, cancer treatments, and more. It is recommended that patients 65 and older sign up for Part D when first receiving Medicare. SEARHC has discovered that a large portion of Medicare beneficiaries do not pay for a Medicare Part D plan, and the SEARHC Patient Health Benefits (PHB) team is working to ensure all eligible patients are aware of this opportunity.
To qualify for the SEARHC Medicare Part D Program, patients must have Medicare A and/or Part B, no retirement insurance coverage, and reside in the SEARHC Care Network and be receiving Indian Health Services (IHS) benefits. Patients must also not be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare Extra Help program.
“We recommend all eligible patients sign up for a Medicare Part D plan, even if they already receive SEARHC services,” says Susan Briles, PHB Supervisor. “Not only does Part D ensure prescription coverage when traveling, but it benefits your community and healthcare system by providing SEARHC with prescription reimbursement.”
If you have questions about Medicare Plan D or need assistance signing up for healthcare coverage, contact the SEARHC PHB team at 907.966.8662 or outreach@searhc.org. The Medicare open enrollment period begins Thursday, October 15.