CVS/pharmacy to Help Patients Save Time and Money During Annual Medicare Part D Enrollment Period

PRESS RELEASE

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), announced today that it will offer its senior patients a new and easy way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans when the Annual Enrollment Period begins today, October 15 to December 7, 2013.

All CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide will be able to create and print a Medicare Part D plan comparison in minutes for patients based on the current prescriptions they fill at CVS. In addition, patients who wish to conduct their plan comparison online or on the phone will receive their own personal code from CVS/pharmacy that they can enter at www.cvs.com/medicare or by calling CVS at 1-877-543-6656. Once entered, the personal code will automatically insert patients' current prescriptions to provide a personalized plan comparison in just minutes.

Annual Enrollment is the one time a year that most Medicare beneficiaries can review their current prescription coverage and enroll in a new plan for 2014 if they so choose. Because Medicare Part D plans change every year and people's prescription needs may also change, comparing Part D plans could save patients hundreds of dollars.

Whether changing Medicare Part D plans or choosing one for the first time, it is important for patients to consider their annual deductible, premium and co-payments, whether all prescriptions they are taking are covered, out-of-pocket expenses, and whether their pharmacy is included in the plan.

"CVS/pharmacy's new plan comparison system provides patients with convenient ways to learn how much money they could save by choosing a new Medicare Part D plan based on their own prescription usage," said Papatya Tankut, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs, CVS/pharmacy. "While pharmacists cannot recommend any specific Medicare Part D plan, we can help patients understand their options based on their individual needs."

Information from a selection of Medicare Part D plans in the local area will be available at Health Insurance Information Centers in all 7,500 CVS/pharmacy locations. In addition to Medicare Part D information, the display also features information about local health plans participating in the insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.

CVS/pharmacy's dedicated Medicare website at www.cvs.com/medicare also provides resources and information for Medicare beneficiaries, including access to the Medicare Plan Finder, tips on when to consider choosing a new plan and how to lower your prescription costs, and information to help Medicare Part B patients save money.

"CVS/pharmacy provides several ways to help Medicare Part B beneficiaries save money, too. For example, we accept all Medicare coverage for diabetes testing supplies, flu shots are available at all of our pharmacies at no cost to Part B patients, and we offer a wide range of durable medical equipment covered by Medicare Part B online at CVS.com," said Tankut. "By combining this with our resources for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, CVS/pharmacy is a comprehensive destination to help Medicare patients on their path to better health."

CVS/pharmacy does not endorse any specific Medicare Part D plan and accepts all major Medicare prescription drug plans.