Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about our pharmacy or home medical equipment services, please check out our frequently asked questions and answers below.
Pharmacy Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my prescription delivered to my workplace?
Yes, we offer free delivery within 25 miles of any of our locations.
How do I transfer my prescriptions from one pharmacy to another?
First, call us or come in with your information. We will then either have your doctor fax us your prescriptions or we will call your current pharmacy and transfer your prescriptions by phone. Always make sure you give us enough time to contact the doctor's office or the pharmacy.
Should I call the pharmacy to let them know I need my medication refilled?
Yes. Calling the pharmacy ahead of time ensures that your prescription will be ready when you arrive and eliminates any waiting time for you.
Do I need to call the pharmacy to have a prescription filled, or is it enough to have my doctor call in my prescription?
If you are a current customer of Bedard, any new prescriptions will be filled automatically and set up with your preferred delivery method (pick up or delivery). If you are a new customer of Bedard, one of our pharmacy technicians will call you to collect your demographic and insurance information before filling.
Will you bill my insurance company?
Yes, we bill most major insurance carriers.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Bedard Pharmacy & Medical Supplies accepts many major insurance plans. Please call our billing department at (207) 333-3270, or send an email to customer.service@bedardpharmacy.com for more information.
Do you accept Medicare?
Like many people, you may have questions about Medicare's Prescription Drug Coverage. Anyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage which offers the following features:
- Provides insurance coverage for prescription drugs
- Pays for both brand name and generic drugs
- Offers a choice of plans from private insurers. As with other types of insurance, your monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs may vary with different plans
It's important to find the plan that works best for you.
You should check to see:
- If your prescription drugs are covered in the new plans
- Which pharmacies do the drug plans in your area use
- If the monthly fees work for you
For advice on which plan to choose, call one of the following numbers:
- If you have Medicare ONLY, call 1-877-ELDERS-1 (1-877-353-3771) or 1-800-750-5353 (voice & TTY). This is a voluntary program so you can choose not to enroll.
- If you have Medicare AND MaineCare, DEL or MainRX Plus, call 1-866-RX-MAINE (1-866-796-2463) or TTY 1-800-423-4331. In this case, you need to choose a plan or Medicare will assign one to you. You can change to a different plan at any time. Please let us know if you have any questions. At Bedard, we're always happy to help.
Medical Equipment Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare is an insurance funded by the federal government as an entitlement program that mainly focuses on the older population. The program also covers individuals with disabilities and any person with end-stage renal disease regardless of age. Beneficiaries pay part of the cost through premiums and deductibles as well as coinsurance on covered items. Because it is run by the federal government, it is essentially the same throughout the United States.
Medicaid (MaineCare) is different in a couple of ways. It is also an entitlement program funded partially by the federal government but also by the state and local governments. Medicaid (MaineCare) is based on income and covers additional services that Medicare does not. It usually covers children, pregnant women, parents of eligible children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Medicaid is a federal-state program. It is run by the state and local governments within federal guidelines, so it varies from state to state.
Some people can qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you have questions, reach out to us.
How much does Medicare reimburse for each product?
If the item is covered by your Medicare plan and your annual deductible has been met, Medicare reimburses 80% of the allowed amount or 80% of the billed charges, whichever is lower.
Do I have to have insurance to purchase medical equipment and supplies?
No. You can purchase any medical equipment or supplies without insurance; however, some equipment and supplies may require a prescription from a doctor. For more information on what equipment or supplies require a prescription, call customer service at (207) 784-3700 or 1-866-6BEDARD (623-3273).
What insurance plans do you accept?
Bedard Pharmacy & Medical Supplies accepts many major insurance plans. Please call our billing department at (207) 333-3270, or send an email to customer.service@bedardhealthcare.com for more information.
Will you bill my insurance company?
Yes, we can bill most in-network and out-of-network insurance providers
Do I need a prescription for medical equipment?
Some durable medical equipment (DME) requires a prescription to dispense, whether you want your insurance billed or not. If you do choose to bill your insurance, a prescription will always be required.
What is an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)?
If you have original Medicare and your supplier thinks Medicare probably won't pay for items or services, they may give you a written notice called an "Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage" (ABN). This form lists the items that Medicare isn't expected to pay for, an estimate of the costs, and the reasons why Medicare may not pay. The purpose of an ABN is to give the beneficiary the ability to make an informed decision on whether or not to obtain the product and understand they may be held financially responsible for it.
There are 3 options when filling out an ABN and you must choose one of the options.
Option 1: You want items or services that may not be paid for by Medicare. Your provider or supplier may ask you to pay for them now, but you also want them to submit a claim to Medicare for the items or services. If Medicare denies payment, you're responsible for paying, but, since a claim was submitted, you can appeal to Medicare.
Option 2: You want items or services that may not be paid for by Medicare, but you don't want your provider or supplier to bill Medicare. You may be asked to pay for the items or services now, but because you request your provider or supplier to not submit a claim to Medicare, you can't file an appeal.
Option 3: You don't want items or services that may not be paid for by Medicare, and you aren't responsible for any payments. A claim isn't submitted to Medicare, and you can't file an appeal.
An ABN is not an official denial and may be appealed if payment is denied when a claim is submitted.
What is Durable Medical Equipment?
Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. Only your doctor can prescribe medical equipment to you. DME must meet the following criteria:
- Durable (long-lasting)
- Used for medical reasons
- Not usually useful for someone who isn't sick or injured
- Used in your home
Depending on your circumstances, Medicare may cover the following, but isn't limited to:
- Air-fluidized beds
- Blood sugar monitors and diabetic testing strips
- Canes (however, white canes for the blind aren't covered)
- Commode chairs
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines
- Crutches
- Home oxygen equipment and supplies
- Hospital beds
- Infusion pumps (and some medicines used in infusion pumps if considered reasonable and necessary)
- Nebulizers (and some medicines used in nebulizers if considered reasonable and necessary)
- Patient lifts (to lift patients from bed or wheelchair by hydraulic operation)
- Suction pumps
- Traction equipment
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs