Quitting AL-LU Rx & Secure Horizons plan

[richzb]

I quit AL-LU Medco Medicare Rx plan (Group ID # ALUEPDP) on 12/31/2008.
NOT TO WORRY!
I will enroll in one of two of the following Medicare Part D Rx plans for ILLINOIS residence:
(1) AdvantraRx Value plan has $0.00 deductable and a 2009 Premium of $25.50 / person.
(2) Medco Choice plan has $0.00 deductable and a 2009 Premium of $33.10 / person.

Note:.......AL-LU Medco Rx plan has a $295.00 deductable before Rx benefits kick in.
If you divide this deductable ($295) by 12 months; You pay $24.58 a month.
If you compare AdvantraRx monthly premium of $25.50 to $24.58, ------ difference is 92 cents.
If you compare Medco Choice monthly premium of $33.10 to $24.58 ----- difference is $8.52

Both AdvantraRx Value & Medco Choice plans will mail drugs from the same Medco that deals with the AL-LU Plan.
A difference of 92 cents or $8.52 will set me free.
I need a Medigap Medicare Part F policy to offset the Secure Horizons Medicare Part C policy's deductable of $290 / mo. & $15.00 doctor Co-Pay. Good luck to all! Richard Downers Grove IL

[mendomann]

Sounds like a good plan. I will be doing the same, dropping ALU and getting a Medigap policy and probably will go with the Medco Choice option.

[Guest]

I'm singing the same song. I opted out of ALU entirely Nov 10, 08. I am enrolling in AARP Plan F for my supplemental coverage - its United Healthcare. In Maine, where I live, the cost is $151/mo. Then for Part D I will enroll in the AdvantraRx Value Plan (http://advantrarx.coventryhealthcare.com) which in Maine carries a premium of $13.50/mo. It seems great with zero deductible and very low cost for all the Rx's I need. As long as I was reviewing everything I also researched the dental plan and came up with Delta Dental (http://www.deltadental.com). They offer both DMO and fee for service plans. Most Dentists accept the fee for service and mine does. It was a no brainer for me since Delta pays 60% of the cost for most things and 2 check ups and cleanings each year are no charge. There is a $50 lifetime deducible. Delta has 9 plans to select from with varying degrees of service for different premiums. Bottom line is I didn't take anything ALU is currently offering for Medicare eligible people. I have had great coverage via ALU at a VERY reasonable cost up until now, but turning 65 in December and looking at what they were offering, it was not for me. In general, I have concluded "Advantage" plans are the great Medicare ripoff - you pay a little and you get less than your pay for. If my plans help anyone - great, I am happy to share my conclusions.
Marty in Maine

[mendomann]

I went to the AdvantraRx website and noticed that it is managed by Medco. I entered the drugs I use and found that the total costs for me were more at AdvantraRx than at Medco. It seems that some of the drugs at Medco,which are tier 2 are tier3 at AdvanatraRx.

[richzb]

Many Medicare Part D Prescription plans are linked to Medco. The following 3 are related:
(A)Medco Medicare Rx offers 3 options: (1) Value, (2) Choice, (3) Access.
(B)AdvantraRx Medicare Rx offers 3 options: (1) Value, (2) Premier, (3) Premier Plus.
(C)Mutual of Omaha Medicare Rx offers 3 options: (1) AdvantraRx Value, (2) AdvantraRx Premier, (3) AdvantraRx Premier Plus.
BOTTOM LINE: Cost of plan premium is important, however everyone must review the TIER assignment of their drug usage in the plan that they are interested in buying.

The previous person that sent the reply was correct in checking each drug TIER prior to signing with a Rx plan.
Richard Downers Grove, IL.

[backlog]

I was the guest who posted on Nov 13. I should have mentioned the tier pricing. I had checked to make sure my Rx's were tier 1 or 2 and they were at AvantraRx, but one was tier 3 directly from Medco. The tool provided on the http://www.medicare.gov site to compare plans for an individual's drugs is really great. You can enter and save your drug list on a file and compare all plans available in your area. The comparison, for those who have not used it, covers the premium and the annual cost for your copays so you see the true annual price you will pay unless you need to make Rx changes during the year.