Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P)
Sign up for a payment plan for Medicare Part D drugs
Blue Cross of Idaho members with Medicare Part D drug coverage are eligible to sign up for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (sometimes called M3P or MPPP). This is a voluntary payment plan for Part D-covered drugs. Learn more about the program and how you can sign up below.
What is the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan?
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a new voluntary payment option offered by Part D plans that allows you to spread your out-of-pocket Part D costs for covered prescription drugs throughout the calendar year (January-December). Instead of paying for your Part D prescription drugs at the pharmacy or when they're shipped, you'll be able to make a smaller, monthly payment.
How will I know if this program will benefit me?
Starting in 2025, anyone with a Medicare Part D drug plan will have their Part D out-of-pocket costs capped at $2,000 per calendar year. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might benefit you if you take high-cost Part D drugs and would reach the $2,000 cap early in the year. Instead of paying the full $2,000 up front, you can sign up for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan and make monthly payments toward the $2,000 out-of-pocket cost cap.
You can also use this tool on the Medicare.gov website to help you find out if this program will benefit you.
To sign up for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, you’ll need to wait until after you are accepted into one of our Medicare Advantage plans and receive your post-enrollment kit.
After you receive your post-enrollment kit, you have three ways to opt in:
- Online: Log in to your member account and select Pharmacy, then Pharmacy Overview. From there, scroll to the Tools and Resources section and select Visit Site under Manage Your Drugs to go to the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Portal. There will be a link to sign up for the program on the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx portal homepage.
- By phone: Call Blue Cross of Idaho Rx at the number on the back of your member ID card.
- By mail: Visit the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx portal by logging in to your member account and selecting Pharmacy, then Pharmacy Overview. From there, scroll to the Tools and Resources section and select Visit Site under Manage Your Drugs to go to the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Portal. From there, select Tools & Resources and click on Download Forms to access the form.
- Fill out the form and return it to Blue Cross of Idaho Rx, PO Box 7, Pittsburgh, PA 15230
Current members have three ways to opt in:
- Online: Log in to your member account and select Pharmacy, then Pharmacy Overview. From there, scroll to the Tools and Resources section and select Visit Site under Manage Your Drugs to go to the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Portal. There will be a link to sign up for the program on the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx portal homepage.
- By phone: Call Blue Cross of Idaho Rx at the number on the back of your member ID card.
- By mail: Visit the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx portal by logging in to your member account and selecting Pharmacy, then Pharmacy Overview. From there, scroll to the Tools and Resources section and select Visit Site under Manage Your Drugs to go to the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Portal. From there, select Tools & Resources and click on Download Forms to access the form.
- Fill out the form and return it to Blue Cross of Idaho Rx, PO Box 7, Pittsburgh, PA 15230
How is the monthly bill for my Medicare Prescription Payment Plan calculated?
Your monthly bill will be the sum of the cost of the prescriptions you filled in the current month, plus your last month's balance, divided by the remaining months left in the year.
Here is how costs will be calculated:
- Monthly bill = (cost of prescriptions filled in the current month + last month's balance) / (months left in year)
Visit the Medicare.gov website for examples of how payments may be calculated.
Important note: The amount of your monthly bill is recalculated each month. Future bills will increase when you fill a new Part D prescription or refill an existing prescription.
Will the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan save me money?
No, this program is a payment plan only and does not save you money and does not lower your drug costs.
Will the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan charge me any fees or interest on my monthly balance?
This program is free. You will not be charged any fees to take part in this program and your monthly balance will not accrue any interest.
How do I pay my Medicare Prescription Payment Plan monthly invoice (bill)?
Blue Cross of Idaho Rx will send you a monthly payment plan invoice, which is separate from the bill you receive for your plan premium (if applicable).
You can pay your monthly invoice in one of three ways:
- Mail: Return the payment coupon with your enclosed payment to:
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
P.O. Box 7411337
Chicago, IL 60674-3337 - Phone: Call Blue Cross of Idaho Rx at the number on the back of your member ID card.
- Online: Log in to your member account and select Pharmacy, then Pharmacy Overview. From there, scroll to the Tools and Resources section and select Visit Site under Manage Your Drugs to go to the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Portal. There will be a link to sign up for the program on the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx portal homepage.
What happens if I don't pay my monthly bill?
Paying your monthly payment plan bill is important. If you do not pay your bill, you may be terminated from the program. Additionally, you might not be able to participate in the program in the future if you have outstanding balances.
How can I dispute my monthly payment amount or voice a complaint about the program?
Call Blue Cross of Idaho Rx at the number listed on the back of your member ID card and a customer service agent will help you file a grievance.
Who do I call if I have questions about the payment plan?
Call Blue Cross of Idaho Rx at the number listed on the back of your member ID card.
How will I know when I'm enrolled in this program?
Below are the approval timeframes for the program, depending on when you submit your request:
- If you submit your request before your plan's effective date: within 10 days.
- For example, if your plan renews on January 1, 2025, and you submit your request to join the program on December 1, 2024, we will contact you within 10 days.
- If you submit your request during the plan year: within 24 hours.
We will contact you if we need any additional information, which may delay the approval of your request.
What can I do if I needed to pay for an urgent medication before I was approved to join the prescription payment plan?
If you had to fill a medication that you urgently needed and before your request to join the prescription payment plan was approved, you can request to retroactively join the program. To be retroactively opted in, you'll need to meet both these requirements:
- Any delay in filling your prescriptions due the 24-hour timeframe to process your request may seriously jeopardize your life, health or ability to regain maximum function and
- Your request to be retroactively added to the program is within 72 hours of the time and date you filled your urgent prescription drug (i.e., the time and date your pharmacy processed your claim)
Once your retroactive request is complete, you'll be refunded any cost sharing you paid at the pharmacy and will receive your monthly payment plan bill. Please know that you'll still have to pay the balance through monthly payments.
What if I get Extra Help from Medicare?
This program may not be right for you if you get Extra Help (also known as a low-income subsidy) from Medicare. Extra Help is a program that helps to lower your monthly drug costs, deductibles and plan premiums.
The new prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, expanded the Extra Help program, so more people may qualify than before.
Visit Social Security's Extra Help page for program information and to apply for the program. If you have additional questions about the Extra Help program or need help filling out the application, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1- 800- 325-0778).
How can I learn more about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan?
To learn more about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, download our fact sheet 
or visit the Medicare.gov website for additional program information.
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