When Do Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans Pay for Prescription Drugs?
Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans offer all-in-one coverage that includes benefits Original Medicare covers but also includes valuable extra benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Prescription drug coverage is one of the extra benefits you can shop for.
Beneficiaries who have a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage can pay $0 or low copays when they fill their prescriptions. You may also be able to find a Wellcare plan that includes over-the-counter allowances for items like vitamins, toothpaste and incontinence supplies.
You can shop for Wellcare plans that cover even more extra benefits, such as:
- Free transportation to your medical appoints and pharmacy
- Dental coverage for services like exams, tooth extractions and dentures
- Vision coverage for services like eye exams, eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Preventive coverage for routine doctor and specialist visits
- Hearing coverage for services like hearing exams, fittings and hearing aids
The vast majority of Medicare Advantage plans in the country offer prescription drug coverage. If your Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t cover prescription drugs, you can consider adding a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (sometimes called a PDP) to work alongside your Medicare Advantage plan.1
Which Prescription Drugs Are Covered by Wellcare Medicare Plans?
Each Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage will have a list of drugs that are covered by the plan. This list is called a “formulary.”
Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans cover both generic and brand-name drugs. These drugs may be categorized into different “tiers” in your plan formulary, and each tier may come with its own coverage terms.
For example, common generic drugs are often included on lower tiers. These drugs generally require a low copayment or no copayment at all.
Brand-name drugs and some drugs that are rarely prescribed by doctors are often included on higher tiers. Drugs in these tiers may require a higher copayment than lower tier drugs.
When Can I Enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Plan With Prescription Drug Coverage?
When you first become eligible for Medicare, you typically have an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that begins three months before you turn 65 years old, includes the month of your birthday and continues for three additional months. This seven-month period is your first opportunity to enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan.
You may also be able to enroll in – or switch to – a Wellcare Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also known as the fall Medicare open enrollment period.
The Medicare AEP takes place from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, you may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time or switch from one plan to another.
Throughout the rest of the year, you may be able to enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan if you experience a qualifying life event such as moving to a new area, losing employer coverage or a range of other circumstances. If you experience this type of qualifying event, you’ll be given what is called a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
How Do I Enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plan With Prescription Drug Coverage?
We’re here to simplify your Medicare shopping experience and help you learn about the Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans available where you live. We can help you compare local Medicare Advantage plans side by side so you can find the Wellcare plan that covers your prescription drugs and gives you the benefits you need.
