New prescription drug plan - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 20, 2006

New prescription drug plan

Date: Jan 20, 2006

I'm so glad you asked. I am one of those on Medicare who had to select a Rx plan. I selected one based on their promotional material which indicated that the most commonly used cholesterol controlling Rx is covered. Their promotional material did not specify any conditions or qualifications. When I subscribed to their plan and received my card and the package of material they mail to those who have subscribed, however, I read that the particular Rx to which I refer required that I have a physician certify that there was no other cholesterol-controlling Rx that could be used. Needless to say, I am not a happy camper.

Date: Jan 20, 2006

One thing you may or may not have realized is that we started with a new deductible so of course the scripts are more expensive until you meet your deductible and not every penny you pay up fron applies toward the deductible. Once you meet that deductible, then you will pay according to the scale of copays your plans sets. Like the $12, 30, 50. So yes, my first script of the year was $22 for a generic, but I would have been $35 with out the plan and now I am on my way towards meeting my deductible so soon my generics will only cost $12.

Date: Jan 20, 2006

While I have sympathy (empathy, actually) for those who need drugs and are faced with rising prices, I am amazed at the number of people in all walks of life that do not understand how their insurance works. Yes, you may have to read materials and then ask questions, but very few individuals actually have a grasp of their coverage.

As a result, there are many who feel slighted by their company when the company provides exactly the coverage promised.

Date: Jan 20, 2006

Southern Justice wrote:

there are many who feel slighted by their company when the company provides exactly the coverage promised.

Nobody will argue about that. But some people are not happy with what they promise. Let's face it: everybody benefits from the new plans except the consumer. But the poor consumer continues to vote for the politicians who put those plans in place.

Date: Jan 21, 2006

Does anyone know what the co-pays are for the new drug plan? Also...a ballpark increase in yearly cost?

Date: Jan 21, 2006

You can check the copay amount at www.catalystrx.com . You'll need to logon using your user number (from your pharmacy card that you received in the mail).

If you use generic drugs, the copay is $12 for most prescriptions.

Date: Jan 21, 2006

Articles like this appeared today in numerous newspapers across the country. The feeble attempt to privatize a portion of medicare with the new Rx plan has met with dismal failure:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060113/NEWS/601130636

Date: Jan 21, 2006

I did a Google News search and found even more http://freeinternetpress.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5600

Date: Jan 22, 2006

In this letter to the editor in this morning's Hattiesburg American, we have a good example of swimming up the creek without a paddle.

The writer says he called 1-800-Medicare who asked him for the names and doses of his current Rx's and then the Medicare telephone person "recommended" a Medicare Rx plan. This dude evidently accepted that plan unquestioningly. I wonder if he selected a spouse in the cavalier manner he selected a Medicare Rx plan.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/OPINION03/601220329/1014

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Mississippians' inabilities to get quality prescription drug coverage is tied to Mississippians' inabilities to get quality health insurance or quality health care.

When Mississippi refused tort reform and allowed itself to become the stomping grounds for personal injury/malpractice lawyers from all over, doctors, nurses, and insurance companies cut and ran. By 2002, the state was in crisis with regard to the number of medical professionals and the number of medical professionals who were willing to participate in high-risk services (such as delivering babies). Insurance companies, stung by obscene injury and malpractice jury decisions, pulled back.

The poor quality of our medical insurance should surprise no one. Coverage has gotten progressively worse over a number of years while expense has risen over the same period.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Southern Justice wrote:

Mississippians' inabilities to get quality prescription drug coverage is tied to Mississippians' inabilities to get quality health insurance or quality health care. When Mississippi refused tort reform.....insurance companies cut and ran.

How would tort reform refusal have anything to do with Rx insurance? Please explain that to this simpleton.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Simpleton wrote:

Southern Justice wrote:
Mississippians' inabilities to get quality prescription drug coverage is tied to Mississippians' inabilities to get quality health insurance or quality health care. When Mississippi refused tort reform.....insurance companies cut and ran.
How would tort reform refusal have anything to do with Rx insurance? Please explain that to this simpleton.

The insurance industry as a whole is not very heterogeneous. Umbrella companies provide a vast array of insurance products, including medical, dental, pharmacy, managed care, and others. If the cost of one goes up, they make it up in increased premiums everywhere they can.

Don't forget that the insurance indistry has a lot of pull on Capital Hill in DC. I know for a FACT that the insurance industry regularly call favors to defeat measures that would help citizens but would hurt the companies' bottom lines. Most of this we never even hear about on the news.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Southern Justice wrote:

Don't forget that the insurance indistry has a lot of pull on Capital Hill in DC. I know for a FACT that the insurance industry regularly call favors to defeat measures that would help citizens but would hurt the companies' bottom lines.

Now you're speaking language even a simpleton like me can understand. It must have been those favors that led to the Medicare mess we're in now.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Simpleton wrote:

Now you're speaking language even a simpleton like me can understand. It must have been those favors that led to the Medicare mess we're in now.

Simpleton, after reading this I'm convinced you're simple after all. Simple like a FOX.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Simpleton wrote:

Southern Justice wrote:
Don't forget that the insurance indistry has a lot of pull on Capital Hill in DC. I know for a FACT that the insurance industry regularly call favors to defeat measures that would help citizens but would hurt the companies' bottom lines.
Now you're speaking language even a simpleton like me can understand. It must have been those favors that led to the Medicare mess we're in now.

I tend to read posts straight and answer at face value. Upon reflection I detect something else.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Southern Justice wrote:

I tend to read posts straight and answer at face value. Upon reflection I detect something else.

Simpleton led you down the primrose path, didn't she?

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Nothing Simpleton has said (nor anything I have said) changes the fact that insurance companies have ratcheted up their prices across the board by claimed necessity.

Politics may affect Medicare more directly, but Mississippians gave insurance companies the perfect excuse when they allowed ignorance to rule. Ignorant juries handing down huge judgements were the problem. Now I'm not sure there's a way to fix it.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Southern Justice wrote:

Nothing Simpleton has said (nor anything I have said) changes the fact that insurance companies have ratcheted up their prices across the board by claimed necessity. Politics may affect Medicare more directly, but Mississippians gave insurance companies the perfect excuse when they allowed ignorance to rule. Ignorant juries handing down huge judgements were the problem. Now I'm not sure there's a way to fix it.

I didn't keep up with issues or arguments on either side of that debate. I plead ignorant.