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An American Psychological Association (APA) poll on the causes of stress reported that 75% of Americans list money concerns as the top cause of stress in their lives.

At Medi-CareFirst, we want to help you reduce stress by giving you ways to cut your health care costs without cutting your benefits.


Talk to your doctor about your prescriptions

  • Have your doctor write your prescription for a 3-month (90-day) supply.
    • Medi-CareFirst gives you a 90-day supply of maintenance drugs for only two copays.
    • You're essentially getting one month free.
  • Ask about Generic Alternatives.
    • Many brand name drugs have generic equivalents, which can be up to 84% cheaper than brand-name options.
    • With our Enhanced plan, all generic drugs are covered in the coverage gap.
  • Ask your doctor to prescribe a 34-day supply for one month.
    • Rather than a typical one month supply, which is 30 days, Medi-Carefirst provides 34 days worth of drugs for one month.
    • You're getting an extra 4 days (48 extra days over the course of a year) worth of drugs at no extra cost.
  • If the drug you're taking is new, ask your doctor if he or she has any samples available.

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Use our free cost-saving programs

  • Our Options Discount Program
    • Provides costs breaks on wellness products & services like gym memberships, nutritional counseling, and hearing correction.
    • The vendors who take part in this program have offices, stores, or headquarters in the Maryland/Virginia/D.C. areas.
  • Our Blue365 Program
    • Offered through the BlueCross BlueShield Association
    • These discounts are on a national level and focus on four main areas of life:
      • Health and Wellness
      • Family Care
      • Financial Well-Being
      • Travel
  • Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Program
    • Through the MTM program, you can meet with a specially-trained pharmacist to review the drugs you are taking.
      • They will identify any unnecessary or overlapping medications, as well as any potential interactions.
      • They will review your prescriptions to see if any cheaper options are available.
    • This program is free and available to all Medi-CareFirst members.
    • In 2008, about 2,200 members used MTM services, saving a total of $420,000 in drug costs.

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Choose the right plan

Depending on the drugs you take, you could save money by switching from BlueRx Enhanced (PDP) to BlueRx Standard (PDP), or vice versa. Members who spend about $80 or more per month on generic drugs may save more with BlueRx Enhanced (PDP).

  • Mary saved more money with BlueRx Standard (PDP):
    • With BlueRx Standard (PDP), Mary spends $32 per month on Generics during the coverage gap.
    • With BlueRx Enhanced (PDP), Mary spends $20 per month on Generics during the coverage gap ($10 for each of the 2 generic drugs).
    • Under BlueRx Standard (PDP), the sum of Mary's Part D premium and drugs costs is $106.40 per month, versus $140.20 per month with BlueRx Enhanced (PDP).
    • Choosing BlueRx Standard (PDP) will save Mary $33.80 per month while in the Coverage Gap.
  • Bob saved more money with BlueRx Enhanced (PDP):
    • With BlueRx Standard (PDP), Bob spends $80 per month on Generics during the coverage gap
    • With BlueRx Enhanced (PDP), Bob spends $30 per month on Generics during the coverage gap ($10 for each of the 3 generic drugs)
    • Under BlueRx Standard (PDP), the sum of Bob's Part D premium and drug costs is $154.40 per month, versus $150.20 per month with BlueRx Enhanced.
    • Choosing BlueRx Enhanced (PDP) will save Bob $4.20 per month while in the Coverage Gap.
  • To switch from one plan to the other, use our Plan Change form PDF.

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See if you Qualify for Extra Help

Federal Extra Help

  • Through the Federal Low Income Subsidy Program, (also called Federal Extra Help) you could get help paying for premiums and drug costs even during the coverage gap.
  • To qualify, you must have:
    • Annual income below $16,425 (or $21,855 if married)* and
    • Resources (excluding home or car) not to exceed $13,070 (or $26,120 if married).
    • Some people may automatically qualify for extra help: dual eligibles, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare Savings Program.
  • If you think you qualify:
    • Call your local Social Security office at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 7pm.
    • Visit www.ssa.gov on the web, or
    • Apply at your local State Medical Assistance office.

*Amounts are for 2012 & change annually. Resources do not include life insurance policies.

If you have limited resources and income, you may be eligible for extra help.


State Extra Help

Maryland has the Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP):

  • Provides subsidies for premiums and member copays/coinsurance in the coverage gap.
  • Only open to eligible Maryland residents.
  • Call 1-800-551-5995 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST, weekdays) TTY 1-800-877-5156 for more information about the Maryland SPDAP.
  • Please note that Medi-CareFirst participates in the Premium and Coverage Gap Subsidy Programs offered by Maryland SPDAP.
If the beneficiary has... Eligible for MD SPDAP Premium Subsidy? Eligible for MD SPDAP Coverage Gap Subsidy?
No Subsidy through Federal Extra Help but has Income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level Yes Yes
Partial subsidy through Federal extra help Yes No
Full subsidy through Federal extra help No No

If you live in Delaware and think you might be eligible for extra help, please call the Delaware Prescription Drug Assistance or Delaware Chronic Renal Disease programs at 1-800-996-9969 (TTY: 800-232-5460). Select option 2, then option 1.

The District of Columbia does not offer a State Prescription Drug Assistance Program.

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