Information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
CMS has outlined the flexibilities that Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans have to waive certain requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These flexibilities include:
- Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 tests
- Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments in doctor’s offices or emergency rooms and services delivered via telehealth
- Removing prior authorization requirements
- Waiving prescription refill limits
- Relaxing restrictions on home or mail delivery of prescription drugs
- Expanding access to certain telehealth services
Please note that with regard to prescription medication refills, the CMS guidance does not give a specific time frame:
“Relax “Refill-Too-Soon” Edits and Provide Maximum Extended Day Supply
Part D sponsors may relax their “refill-too-soon” edits if circumstances are reasonably expected to result in a disruption in access to drugs. Sponsors have operational discretion as to how these edits are relaxed as long as access to Part D drugs is provided at the point-of-sale. Part D sponsors may also allow an affected enrollee to obtain the maximum extended day supply available under their plan, if requested and available.”
Caregivers of individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and who want to obtain early prescription medication refills should first check with the pharmacist to find out if that is permitted from their Part D drug plan. If the pharmacist is not able to provide the answer (or if the answer is "no"), you may want to contact the Part D drug plan directly.
