Question

Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn both take a specialized multivitamin prescription each day. Mr. Vaughn takes a prescription for helping to regrow his hair. They are anxious to have their Medicare prescription drug plan cover these drug needs. What should you tell them?

Choose one answer.
a. Mr. Vaughn's hair growth medication would only be covered under Part D if his balding resulted from an illness or was a side effect of a treatment such as chemotherapy.
b. Medicare prescription drug plans are permitted to cover vitamins, but not drugs for cosmetic purposes.
c. The vitamins the Vaughns are taking will be covered under Part D, because their physician suggested they should take vitamins, but the hair loss medication cannot be covered.
d. Medicare prescription drug plans are not permitted to cover the prescription medications the Vaughns are interested in under Part D coverage, however, plans may cover them as supplemental benefits and the Vaughn's could look into that possibility.

Answer 1

Medicare Part D may cover prescription drugs if deemed medically necessary, but not for cosmetic purposes. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn should consult their plan for their specific coverage options and check if there are supplemental benefits available.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Vaughn's concerns regarding their Medicare prescription drug plan coverage for specialized multivitamins and Mr. Vaughn's hair growth medication are not uncommon. Under Medicare Part D, prescription drugs for medically necessary treatments are generally covered. However, Medicare does not typically cover medications for cosmetic purposes, such as hair regrowth unless it is related to a medical treatment like chemotherapy. Similarly, while some plans may cover vitamins if they are deemed medically necessary, they do not cover them merely on the advice of a physician for general health purposes.

For Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn, the best course of action would be to consult their specific Part D provider to inquire about coverage for their multivitamins and Mr. Vaughn's hair regrowth prescription. They should also investigate whether the prescription medications could be included as supplemental benefits under their plan. It's important for them to explore all potential avenues for coverage, including whether their needs qualify for medicinal rather than cosmetic coverage.