When determining Part D coverage for specific drugs, what specialized comparison can a SHINE counselor perform for a beneficiary?

Guiding a comparison of drug formularies across several different plans based on the beneficiary's drug list

A crucial aspect of Part D planning involves the drug formulary—the list of drugs covered by the plan—which can vary significantly between plans. A powerful, tailored service offered by SHINE counselors is the ability to take a beneficiary's specific list of regularly used medications and use that list to compare the drug formularies of multiple different Part D plans. This comparison extends beyond simply listing covered drugs; counselors help calculate the potential out-of-pocket costs associated with each plan's specific structure (tiers, preferred pharmacies, coverage gaps) for that individual’s actual usage scenario. This detailed, drug-specific analysis demonstrates the power of tailored, unbiased comparison.