The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on October 02, 2013, 07:38:10 PM
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018491174
Oh my.
LiberalArkie (1,289 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 03:24 PM
Question on Medicare, I just started on it.
Am I now senile or just really stupid. I can not for the life of me figure out the plans that are offered by all the companies.
I started off with Blue Cross of Arkansas for drugs and medical.
After being on it since January and my drug plan costs me more each month than my drugs. Is this normal?
I look at all the plans and even Medicare.gov and walk away more confused than I was to begin with.
graywarrior (57,896 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 03:27 PM
1. You are not alone
I recently attended a workshop that supposedly was created to answer such questions. The people heading the discussion couldn't even tell us. It's all FUBAR.
Hoyt (13,762 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 03:39 PM
2. Even experts are confused.
I do not think it is unusual for you to pay more in drug plan premiums than the cost of drugs each month. It's insurance, if the day comes where they put you on a $200 a month or more drug, you'll be glad you have the coverage.
mrmpa (2,025 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 04:09 PM
3. Let's talk about your prescriptions:
1. Are they all generic drugs?
2. If they are, then you shouldn't be using
your insurance to pay for them.
Example: From my experience with my 83 year old mother's prescriptions. All her drugs are generics.
Her insurance wanted a co-pay of $10 for a month's supply. I hooked her up with the Medicine shoppe, which offers her the generics for a 3 months supply for $10. One of these prescriptions is a cost of $20 for 3 months, but basically everything is $10 & she doesn't use the insurance, (in her case it is a State plan which is a cost of $30 per month, only if she uses it).
There are also prescription drug cards floating around, which at times gives you 75-80% off the cost of the drug.
Because you have insurance, doesn't mean you have to use it, or even have. You will have to do some research with the pharmacies near you, but start shopping around. Here in PA, the Medicine Shoppes & some grocery store pharmacies offer these 3 months for $10 drugs. Hell, the grocery store offers free antibiotics & used to offer free diabetes medications.
My Mom was of the opinion she had to use her drug coverage and she averaged a bit over $1200 per years, I have her down to about $400.
email me if you want some more info.
Mind you, the Part D Medicare was created to make Drug and Insurance companies more wealthy.
No comment.
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mrmpa (2,025 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 04:09 PM
3. Let's talk about your prescriptions:
1. Are they all generic drugs?
2. If they are, then you shouldn't be using
your insurance to pay for them.
Example: From my experience with my 83 year old mother's prescriptions. All her drugs are generics.
Her insurance wanted a co-pay of $10 for a month's supply. I hooked her up with the Medicine shoppe, which offers her the generics for a 3 months supply for $10. One of these prescriptions is a cost of $20 for 3 months, but basically everything is $10 & she doesn't use the insurance, (in her case it is a State plan which is a cost of $30 per month, only if she uses it).
There are also prescription drug cards floating around, which at times gives you 75-80% off the cost of the drug.
Because you have insurance, doesn't mean you have to use it, or even have. You will have to do some research with the pharmacies near you, but start shopping around. Here in PA, the Medicine Shoppes & some grocery store pharmacies offer these 3 months for $10 drugs. Hell, the grocery store offers free antibiotics & used to offer free diabetes medications.
My Mom was of the opinion she had to use her drug coverage and she averaged a bit over $1200 per years, I have her down to about $400.
email me if you want some more info.
Mind you, the Part D Medicare was created to make Drug and Insurance companies more wealthy.
Very bad advice, as always from DUmmyland.
Not all generics are low cost. That $4 list at Wal Mart keeps getting shorter and shorter. What might work out for one DUmmie's mother is not a one size fits all solution.
In Nevada there are Medicare Advantage plans that include no cost prescription drug coverage. The private sector is able to administer the Medicare plans at a lower cost then CMS so they throw in the Part D as a bonus. Office visits have a zero co-pay, under straight Medicare the patient pays 20%.
Most pharmacy chains are able to do a Medicare Part D plan review that will match up plans in your state with your current medication use. It's also encouraged to review your choices each year if your medication list changes.
If I was the DUmmie I would ask at my doctor's office what the most popular options are for Medicare in that area.
I would not share my medication list with a DUmmie in a PM! :lmao:
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One more quick point:
3. Let's talk about your prescriptions:
1. Are they all generic drugs?
2. If they are, then you shouldn't be using
your insurance to pay for them.
Then why should the rest of America be forced to buy health insurance if your mother does not have to?
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LiberalArkie (1,289 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 03:24 PM
Question on Medicare, I just started on it.
Am I now senile or just really stupid. I can not for the life of me figure out the plans that are offered by all the companies.
You are just really stupid.
If ever there were instructions that are idiot-proof, it's the ones that have to do with Medicare, and its associated programs.
DUmmy LiberalArkie is probably one of the halfwits who hire someone to fill out their Form 1040EZ.
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in her case it is a State plan which is a cost of $30 per month, only if she uses it
Just highlighting a bit of one of the DUmmies posts. Is he really claiming that his mother only has to pay her insurance company $30 for the months that she utilizes them? Has anybody else heard of any insurance plans offering this option?
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Just highlighting a bit of one of the DUmmies posts. Is he really claiming that his mother only has to pay her insurance company $30 for the months that she utilizes them? Has anybody else heard of any insurance plans offering this option?
No.
Maybe it's some type of monthly deductible or copay and the coverage is free through the state. Or it's just some made up story.
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1. Are they all generic drugs?
DUmmie mode Well sort of, I found it on the floor. Why do I feel funny?