When a Medicare prescription drug plan changes the drugs that it covers, or if a person switches into a different plan that does not cover their medication, it could leave someone without the coverage for the drug that they need. When this situation happens Medicare drug plans are required by law to provide that person with a 30-day transition supply of the drug that they were taking. “All Medicare drug plans, including Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage and stand-alone drug plans, must offer these transition refills.” These plans must also provide the person with written notice that they are using a transition supply and informing them of their rights. The purpose of this 30-day supply is to give the patient time to talk to their doctor about prescribing a substitute drug or to request a coverage exception from the current Medicare plan.
See Your Right to Refills If Medicare Drops Coverage of Your Drugs, Elder Law Answers, February 11, 2016.
