Wellcare Prescription Drug Plans vs. BasiCare Plus
Wellcare Prescription Drug Plans are well known, but how do they stack up against BasiCare Plus? In short, BasiCare Plus has no copay, no limits on 700+ drugs and $19.90/vial insulin. Wellcare on the other hand, has different tier levels and copay, while covering a larger list of drugs. Below is a summary of Wellcare’s Prescription Drug Plans per their website:
Different PDPs Cover Different Drugs
The federal government has specific guidelines for the types of medications Wellcare must cover as well as a minimum standard of benefits we must follow. Each plan has a formulary (a list of covered drugs) that meets these requirements as required by law. Keep in mind, not all plans are the same. They may vary in cost or specific drugs covered.
If you enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, please review the plan’s formulary to ensure it will meet your prescription drug coverage needs.
If You Have a Current Medicare Advantage Plan
If your Medicare Advantage Plan includes prescription drug coverage and you join a Medicare PDP, you will be disenrolled from your Medicare Advantage Plan and returned to Original Medicare with your Medicare PDP.
Medicare Drug Coverage (Part D) Late Enrollment Penalty
The late enrollment penalty is an amount that’s added to your monthly Medicare drug plan (Part D) premium. You may owe a late enrollment penalty if at any time after your Initial Enrollment Period is over, there’s a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don’t have Medicare drug coverage or other credible prescription drug coverage. You will generally have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.
When It Comes to Coverage, You Have Options:
You can get Medicare prescription drug coverage through a Medicare PDP (Part D) or for a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plan that offers Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Wellcare offers plans designed to help those eligible for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) where members may pay no or low premiums and copays if enrolled. Low premium plans are also available in all states with copays starting as low as $0 when filled at preferred pharmacies. BasiCare Plus on the other hand has no preferred pharmacies and has $0 copay on all their plans.
Wellcare also offers plans with no deductible which means the plan begins covering prescription drug costs on day one, whereas BasiCare Plus has no deductibles all their plans.
Disclaimer: The materials available on this site are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or guarantees on any subject matter. The opinions and statements expressed through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of JAUNTIN’. This blog contains general information which may not be current or accurate. For specific questions about insurance and any requirements, please contact your insurer or health benefit provider directly.