Law Articles
To search for a particular term please use the following search box.
Law Topics
Click on a Topic to see available articles for that topic.
- Accidents
- Administrative Law
- Admiralty Law
- Articles
- Banking
- Bankruptcy Law
- Canon Law
- Case Law
- Civil Law
- Civil Rights
- Class Action Lawsuits
- Commercial Law
- Common Law
- Comparative Law
- Constitutional Law
- Consumer Law
- Contracts
- Corporate Law
- Courts
- Criminal Law
- Cyber Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment Law
- Equity
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Fiduciary Law
- General Practice
- Government
- Health Law
- Immigration Law
- Insurance Law
- Intellectual Property
- International Law
- Jurisprudence
- Labor Law
- Law and Economics
- Maritime Law
- Military Law
- Natural Law
- Personal Injury Law
- Philosophy of Law
- Property Law
- Public Law
- Real Estate Law
- Social Security
- Space Law
- Statutory Law
- Tax Law
- Traffic Law
- Trusts and Estates
- Water Law
Return to Law Dictionary Index
Medicare - FAQ's
What happens if I choose not to join a Medicare drug plan by May 15, 2006? Can I join later?
If you don’t join a plan by May 15, 2006, and you don’t currently have a drug plan that, on average, covers at least as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage, you will have to wait until November 15, 2006 to join. When you do join, your premium cost will go up at least 1% per month for every month that you wait to join. Like other insurance, you will have to pay this penalty as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Are any drug categories not included in Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Yes. Certain drugs are excluded, which means they can’t be provided as part of standard Medicare prescription drug coverage. Some examples of excluded drugs include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, drugs for weight loss or gain, and drugs for relief of colds. However, except for non-prescription over-the-counter drugs, a plan can choose to cover excluded drugs if the plan offers more than standard coverage. Non-prescription drugs can’t be included. However, under certain circumstances, they may be provided at no cost.
If I am not certain whether or not I qualify, should I apply for extra help?
Yes, because there is no risk or cost to apply. And, if you qualify, you will get extra help paying for the annual deductible, premiums, and copayments for Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Do I have to join a Medicare drug plan?
No. Joining a Medicare drug plan is your choice. However, if you don’t join a plan by May 15, 2006, and you don’t currently have a drug plan that, on average, covers at least as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage, you will have to wait until November 15, 2006 to join. When you do join, your premium cost will go up at least 1% per month for every month that you wait to join. Like other insurance, you will have to pay this penalty as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.