Newsday.com - Act II / Retirement

SPECIAL REPORT
A guide to the Medicare maze
If life were a cartoon, spirals might swirl these days in the eyes of seniors trying to make sense out of Medicare's new drug plans.

• Podcast: Medicare Part D
• Saul Friedman | Talk Back

EDITOR'S NOTE
Getting a handle on Part D
The mere mention of Medicare Part D sets a lot of people's teeth chattering.

A Guide to THE MAZE
If life were a cartoon, spirals might swirl these days in the eyes of seniors trying to make sense out of Medicare's new drug plans.

How to appeal if your drug plan turns you down
When it comes to coverage, you can challenge decisions by your Medicare drug plan. There are several grounds for appeals, including limits on pill quantity, requirements to use generics, cost of co-pays and the absence of a prescribed drug from the plan's policy. It's best to do everything in writing and partner with your doctor in each appeals level. The six levels of appeals are outlined in order below. You go to the next level only if you lose and wish to pursue the case:

ASK THE EXPERT
About the gap: the hole truth
The problem: I've heard about something in the Medicare Part D drug program that people call the "doughnut hole." What is it, and how will it affect me?

More Stories

• Saul Friedman: From dollars to doughnuts, real fast

• Saul Friedman: Ideas to fix Part D lack real push

• TIPS

• An answer sheet for doctors

• Need brand-name drug? Generic may come first

• Where to get help on Medicare Part D

• Rx for GenX: Plan and save - now

• Burgeoning burden in store

• The 'D' sure doesn't stand for discount

• Retiree drug coverage far from a sure bet

• Crossover hits from the 15th and 16th centuries