I really don’t want to sell stand alone PDP anymore because the risk ,restrictions and 20.00 commission is not worth it. I really wish Medicare would just standardize stand alone PDP plans and make it available only through Medicare.That would at least clean up some of the clutter since the line between original Medicare and the private Medicare option wouldn’t be as blurred .

However, either the plan finder is inaccurate (can’t be, it’s a government site) or the plans change their formularies as fast as I change my socks.

Either way, my clients have difficulty getting their medication and I look like an idiot.

In addition, that $25 commission might put me over the top and have to pay higher Obama taxes.

Rick

Personally I don’t worry about the PDP too much. My experiences, and please correct me if I am wrong, is other than the $295 deductible that applies to some plans, there is not much of a difference in plans. They all have the “donut hole” when you get to $2,700 anyhow and almost all plans cover generics through the “donut hole”. Its impossible when you are meeting with 15 to 20 prospects weekly to sort out everyone’s medications and compare each companies formulary. If a prior authorization is required that can usually be obtained by the patients physician with a little effort from the insured and the providers office. The only real copay difference is the different tiers and related copay for each tier, i.e., Highmark may have lipitor at tier 2 and Coventry may have lipitor at tier 3.

In Pennsylvania, if you are 65 or older I encourage all agents to try and get their clients qualified for PACE or PACE net if possible. PACE only considers income when determining eligibility and not assets so even well off people qualify if their combined income is under $31,200 for a married couple and Governor Rendell is considering upping that threshold to $40K in annual income. Also, see if your client is eligible for low income subsidy through the social security administration and that will help them also.