INSURANCE COPAY INCREASE

self | February 28, 2013 | swampsniper

[MomofMarine]

Be careful what you wish for. Medicare isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! I’m a poor widow on Medicare and trying to survive on SS widow’s benefits with multiple medical problems. The government pays ONLY Part A. Last year I paid:

$1199 for Part B
$1197 for Supplemental Insurance to cover everything Medicare doesn’t
$ 540 for Part D (Rx)
$1456 for Rx copays
$ 531 for dentist
$ 456 for glasses & exam (after 5 years)

By October, I was in the donut hole and could no longer afford the copays for my 3 asthma meds. (The rest are on the lower Walmart generic list and the most expensive copays are $24/month so I can usually afford them.) The doctor gave me 2 Advair inhalers but didn’t have samples for the rest, so I had to do without.

This year, my supplemental premiums are going up every month. Who knows what they will be next year?

My medical expenses on WONDERFUL Medicare are almost half of my monthly income, leaving me with a little over $7000 a year for all my other living expenses. What Medicare and the supplemental insurance (you MUST get to cover your other medical expenses) will be less and less as the premiums go up and up. Pretty soon, the poor or almost-poor seniors won’t be able to afford the premiums or their copays and will have no choice but to rollover and die (which is their plan IMO).

Lest you think I’m a ne-er-do-well, I started working a real job part-time when I was in high school, continued through college and all my life until my medical problems became too much. No one wants to hire me anymore, so I’m stuck until I’m old enough to collect my own SS benefits which will be more than widow’s benefits. I’m not on welfare or food stamps or Medicaid because I refuse to do that. Maybe I’m stupid, but I was brought up in a different age.

Don’t wish to be on Medicare! It ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

[MomofMarine]

Whatever you do, don’t stop taking Advair twice a day. I did, trying to make it last twice as long, and got myself in a real mess! The allergist said you have to take the full daily dose for it to work.

[Coldwater Creek]

People on Medicare do NOT get it for FREE. I paid into FICA when I worked, pay each month a premium and then deductibles and co=pays.

[norwaypinesavage]

My wife and I recently both went on Medicare. It is hardly free. Our out-of-pocket costs start out at $7,500.00 a year. That's $2,400 for Medicare hospitalization, $3,600 for "Medigap", and $1,500 for drug coverage. We were paying less than that for "high deductible" coverage before we turned 65.

In addition, we are no longer allowed a Health Savings Account deduction, and the Death Panels are already telling us what is covered, and what isn't. There is nothing from the government that is free.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I used to buy from a Canadian pharmacy, same stuff at about 1/7 the cost. The only real problem with that is U.S. Customs stops some shipments seemingly at random. I got one order with a bright orange U.S. customs warning on it. They aren't likely to do anything to you, but if you're counting on getting your meds you could be in trouble.

A 3 month supply of the Spiriva equivalent costs less than the copay on a 30 day supply, and that is total, no insurance involved.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I paid into the system for 45 years, never even drew unemployment. I don’t milk the system but I don’t mind taking what I was promised.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

How be dat Obummercare workin’ fo’ ya’?

[old and tired]

I might be able to get them cheaper online but my insurance wouldn’t cover any of it at all.

Sorry to hear that. Our insurance company was the one who turned us onto the mailorder meds in the first place. We figure they probably get some kind of cut, but since it's cheaper for us, we've never looked into it.