The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a short list of medications that it is not required to cover. A few medications on the list are benzodiazepines, weight-loss drugs and fertility drugs.
Usage
Benzodiazepines, or "benzos," are classified as depressants. They are commonly used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, muscle spasms, agitation and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Examples of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines include Alprazolam (Xanax), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium), Estazolam (ProSom), Flurazepam (Dalmane), Lorazepam (Ativan), Midazolam, Oxazepam (Serax), Temazepam (Restoril), Triazolam (Halcion) and Quazepam (Doral).
Medicare Part D
According to Medicare guidelines, a Medicare drug plan is required to offer standard prescription drug coverage and may offer additional coverage. A standard plan can't cover benzodiazepines, but a Medicare drug plan may cover benzodiazepines if it offers more than standard coverage. The premium for these plans usually is higher than for standard plans.
Options
Enrolling in a supplemental drug plan that offers more than the standard coverage, such as Cigna Medicare Rx, Aetna Medicare, Humana or American Association of Retired People's plan, may help cover the cost of benzodiazepines.
Benefits
Taking the time to research all the options available aids in selecting the right plan for your needs.
Tags: drug plan, than standard, cover benzodiazepines, Medicare drug, Medicare drug plan, Medicare Part
