Make the most of your Medicare plan.
Is Medicare Advantage right for you?
If you're looking for additional benefits outside of what is covered by Original Medicare, or you like the idea of all of your coverage coming from one plan, a Medicare Advantage plan may be right for you.
Medicare Advantage plans, like Geisinger Gold, include your hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage all in one. We also offer additional benefits, like vision and dental coverage, that are included when you enroll in a Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plan. With perks like knowing there's a cap on your annual out-of-pocket spending and getting all of your benefits from one place, Geisinger Gold can help you make the most out of your Medicare plan.
Ready to get started? Fill out the form to schedule a consultation with a trained Geisinger Gold Medicare Advisor today!
"My journey to better health began and continues with Geisinger." — Bette Wood of Throop, Pa.
Learn about the basics of Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older or for those younger than 65 who qualify thru disability after 24 months. Original Medicare is made up of Medicare Part A and B which are provided through the government. In order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan you need to have both Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Part C and D, known as Medicare Advantage and prescription coverage, are provided through health insurance companies, like us here at Geisinger Health Plan. We offer Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans to our members. Each part covers different services and comes at different costs. Learn more to understand how each part or a combination of parts could be the right fit for you.
Why choose Geisinger Gold?
More than 90,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania agree:
Geisinger Gold is the best choice for them.
With Geisinger Gold, you can choose from plans that offer low out-of-pocket costs, $0 deductibles and other options that help keep your Medicare Advantage plan affordable. With more than 29,000 doctors throughout Pennsylvania, plus over 100 hospitals and nearly 3,000 pharmacies in network, and no referral requirement, you have access to doctors and facilities close to home. Learn about additional programs available to you:
Rx programs
- For those with income and resource limits, Extra Help from Medicare helps pay the costs of prescription drug coverage
- Enroll in our convenient Rx delivery service, Geisinger Mail-Order Pharmacy, a 90-day refill prescription program that sends medications directly to your home to cut costs and time
Dental services
- Some of our plans include coverage for routine dental services
- Routine dental services include examinations with cleanings and X-rays, simple fillings and extractions and dentures
Health and wellness programs
- Wellness programs available online, in person, and by phone deliver personalized services to cover your needs
- You can take surveys to assess your health, log your cholesterol, view and track exercise plans, find new recipes and get free meal plans — all within our wellness portal
- Check out our customizable exercise programs, such as, Get Fit for Golf, a four to six week exercise program with tutorials designed to improve your skills and health
ProvenHealth Navigator®
- A team of healthcare providers — led by your primary care physician — coordinate your care
- Available to members who receive care in the Geisinger Gold network
Geisinger 65 Forward
- As a Geisinger Gold member, you can join Geisinger 65 Forward, a new kind of healthcare focused on primary care and wellness for people 65+
- At Geisinger 65 Forward, you’ll get same-day appointments, longer doctor’s visits, social and educational activities, a personal wellness plan and so much more
Get started with Geisinger Gold today!
Medicare questions and answers
We know that insurance coverage can sometimes be a little complicated. Here are the answers to the most common questions we hear.
Find covered drugs & pharmacies
Where can I see what drugs are covered?
View 2021 Drug Plan Formularies
- Geisinger Gold Standard Rx (Secure Rx) Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Comprehensive Formulary (updated August 31, 2021, 2021/effective September 1, 2021)
- Geisinger Gold $0 Deductible Rx Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Comprehensive Formulary (updated August 31, 2021, 2021/effective September 1, 2021)
Where can I find in-network pharmacies?
Geisinger Gold has contracts with pharmacies that meet or exceed CMS requirements for pharmacy access in your area. Our pharmacy network includes nearly 3,000 retail pharmacies, both large chain pharmacies and neighborhood drug stores, throughout Pennsylvania.
Do I have to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)?
You don’t have to enroll in Medicare Part D. However, even if you’re not currently taking many (or any) prescription drugs, you should still consider joining a plan. That way, if things change, you’ll have the coverage you need. If you wait to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may have to pay a penalty for joining late.
What if I didn’t join a Medicare prescription drug plan when it was first offered?
If you were eligible and didn’t sign up for a plan by May 15, 2006, and since then you didn’t have a drug plan that covers as much or more than a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may have to pay more each month.Can I enroll in a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan if Geisinger Gold’s Medicare plan already includes prescription drug coverage, along with the medical coverage (an MAPD plan)?
No. If you purchase a standalone Medicare drug plan while you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage (MAPD), you'll be automatically disenrolled from the MAPD plan.If I enroll between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, 2021, for Geisinger Gold or Part D, when will my coverage become effective?
Your coverage will become effective on Jan. 1, 2022.
What is the State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program and how do I apply?
Pennsylvania’s State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, called PACE and PACENET, work with both Medicare and Geisinger Gold to ensure eligible Pennsylvanians have quality drug coverage at the lowest possible cost. To speak with a PACE/PACENET representative, call toll-free:
- 866-712-2060, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
You can also contact Geisinger Gold for help at:
- 800-498-9731, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- TTY users should call 711
What prescriptions are covered by Geisinger Gold?
Geisinger Gold may add or remove drugs from our formulary during the year. For more information, contact the Pharmacy Service Team at 800-988-4861 (TTY/TDD: 711), 7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
If we remove drugs from our formulary; add prior authorization, quantity limits and/or step therapy restrictions on a drug; or move a drug to a different tier, we must notify members who take the drug that it will be removed at least 60 days before the date that the change becomes effective, or at the time the member requests a refill of the drug, at which time the member will receive a 60-day supply of the drug. If the Food and Drug Administration deems a drug on our formulary to be unsafe or the drug's manufacturer removes the drug from the market, we will immediately remove the drug from our formulary and notify members who take the drug.
Geisinger Gold covers both brand-name drugs and generic drugs. Generic drugs have the same active-ingredient formula as a brand-name drug. They usually cost less than brand-name drugs and are rated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs.
Are there financial assistance options available for prescription drugs?
You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call:
- 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) (TTY users call 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- The Social Security Office at 800-772-1213 (TTY users call 800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Your state Medicaid office
What are the opioid policies for 2021?
The opioid epidemic and its effect on our communities is a prime concern. One way of combating this public health emergency is via drug management programs that prevent opioid overuse:
- Opioid prescriptions are monitored for safe dosage levels. If an opioid prescription is above a safe dosage limit, the prescription will be stopped at the pharmacy for review by the provider to make sure it’s medically necessary and appropriate.
- Opioid prescriptions that are taken together with benzodiazepine prescriptions will be stopped at the pharmacy for review by the provider to make sure the prescriptions are medically necessary and appropriate.
- Members who haven’t had a recent prescription for opioids will be limited to no more than a 7-day supply for their first opioid prescription for the treatment of acute pain.
Prescriptions for long-acting opioids that are taken at the same time will be stopped at the pharmacy for review by the provider to make sure the prescriptions are medically necessary and appropriate.
You may be exempt from these drug management programs if you
- Have an active cancer diagnosis
- Have a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia
- Are in a hospice or long-term care facility
For more information, contact the Pharmacy Service Team at 800-988-4861 (TTY: 711), 7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
You may also contact your provider with any medication-related questions.
Enrollment questions
When will I receive my Geisinger Gold insurance card?
You'll receive your card after Medicare and Geisinger Gold confirm your eligibility. The timeframe for this varies, but most cards will be mailed within ten days of enrollment. You can also log in to your account to view your card as soon as it’s available.
Should I cancel my current insurance?
No, you should never cancel any existing insurance until you have received verification of acceptance with another plan. You may also be required to put that in writing for your current insurer.
When will I get the first Geisinger Gold bill?
That depends on the billing cycle and when you get Medicare's approval. In most cases, the first bill (if not electronically deducted from a savings/checking/credit card or Social Security check) will be a double bill until the billing cycle puts it in a routine mailing.
Can I change my payment method for Geisinger Gold if I get a bill and then want it deducted from my checking/savings/credit card account?
You can arrange with the customer care team to have your premiums deducted from a checking/savings/credit card. You can also log in to your account to manage or update your payment method.
Will I be enrolled in Geisinger Gold right away?
The application needs to be verified by Medicare. Wait until you receive your confirmation letter to cancel any current coverage.
Where do I mail an enrollment application?
A pre-printed envelope was provided with your application. If you don’t have it, mail the application to:
Geisinger Gold
Attn. Enrollment 32-29
P.O. Box 900
Danville, PA 17821-9979
For the emergency contact, should I list someone who doesn’t live with me?
That’s your choice. A lot of people choose their spouse. Others choose an adult child outside of their home. Some choose a friend. Note that the application contains space for only one contact/telephone number.
Where can I find the "PCP Number" requested on the Gold application?
You can use our online Provider Search tool to see if your primary care physician (PCP) is available with Geisinger Gold. You will find the PCP Number next to each doctor’s name in the search results. You can also contact Geisinger Gold at 800-498-9731 (TTY: 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., for assistance.
Pennsylvania’s State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, called PACE and PACENET, work with both Medicare and Geisinger Gold to ensure eligible Pennsylvanians have quality drug coverage at the lowest possible cost. To speak with a PACE/PACENET representative, call toll-free at 866-712-2060 Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. You can also contact Geisinger Gold at 800-498-9731, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., for assistance. TTY users should call 711.
Already a Geisinger Gold member?
Click below to find information on benefit documents, filing grievances, coverage determinations and more.
Contact us today!
Our Geisinger Gold Medicare Advisors are standing by and are ready to help you on your Medicare journey.
Last updated 4/19/2021