I realized when I got my most recent totting up of my expenses for drugs through Medicare part D that I had about $300 left before I fell into the donut hole. I called and ordered, as it happened, three months supplies of my routine heart meds so that I start the new year with as much available for expensive drugs as I can have. My husband was down to about $91 so it didn't work for him... But this is just a reminder that it may save you some money to do this.
My husband has been in the donut hole since June and he has $300 more to spend before the catestropic coverage takes over. I am watching to see if it would be better to buy some of his ahead. Thanks for the reminder.
I've been in the donut hole since July and DH since November. I didn't know you could order in advance. I thought you could only order a 3-month supply at a time. Thanks for the information.
Mawzy, you can only order a 3 month supply at a time, however, my mail-order place said I could reorder a 3 month supply after 2 months. In other words if your supply runs out in January you can order it in December. I don't know if that works for 3 months at the local pharmacy. My husband has $300. left in the donut hole so I am going to see if I can get refils for his before January. I didn't know that until last month. I think I can refil $900. worth and most of it will fall into the being paid for.
My mail order company also offerred me a re-order in November if I had wanted to have one. I chose not to because although we are both in the donut hole, we are early enough into it that it makes sense to wait for January for both of us.
I just used my part D for the first time in my life. I get my only script from Canada. I asked on this board if it made any sense to keep coverage and the consensus was a resounding yes. I had to actually see a doctor yesterday for severe non traumatic knee pain. I take an aerobics class 4xweek, yoga once and walk 4-5 miles to the store (yes I do drive). Activities don't cause pain-just kneeling to empty the litter pan. The doc gave me a script for Voltaren Gel. I like the idea because it is not systemic-put it where it hurts and boy do I feel better!
I found out something interesting about DH meds. I have been both ordering and buying at our local Drug Store. Yesterday I was checking with the local Pharmacist about renewing my prescriptions, I discovered the mail order place had been charging me quite a bit more than the local drug store while he was in the donut hole.
Local Pharmacist is going to wait until 12-24-08 and check the cost on ALL of DH prescriptions to see what my best option would be but I think it will be a savings to refil in this year. He said he hasn't had any experience with anyone else coming out of the donut hole.