Prescriptions for Seniors...Help Needed

[believe]

I was at MIL and FIL's house tonight and they asked me to look at the insurance they had subscribed to. After looking at it I confirmed what my FIL thought, they were paying more for the plan than they would get in prescriptions from the plan...am I confusing you yet?

Anyway the help I need is, resources. My MIL has 1 prescription for cholesterol that is not generic and runs about $130.00 a month. Her other prescription is generic. She needs a plan to pay for her cholesterol medicine. Can anyone point me to insurance companies I can look into for them?

 

[C.Ann]

Wish I could help you, but I can't.. When my DH's prescriptions got up into the $1600 to $1800 a month range we were forced to turn his care over to the VA because one of the BEST prescription plans in our area would only pay $125 every three months for prescriptions..

This is a real sore spot with me - and awhile ago I was involved in a VERY heated debate on the DB as to whether or not there should be a prescription plan for the elderly (my husband is older than I and on SS).. Many of the responses over there were that the elderly should have "planned better" when they were younger and "saved more".. Well - no one could plan or save any better than MY folks and my Mom still cannot afford the outrageous cost of medications today..

I think these "younger" citizens who THINK they have all their bases covered for when they themselves become elderly are in for a MAJOR shock!

Something needs to be done - and SOON!!!!

 

[kejoda]

C.Ann you are correct it is outragous.If my Mother wasn't part Indian she would of paid a fortune in script bills.

Amanda I don't know of any other than the peoples pres. plan that is adv. on tv but with that I would investigate them carefully. there are not a ins plan just a perscription discount plan.

 

[mamajoan]

You may want to check out different options.. often your local Senior Center offers counseling.. also you local Hospital will do the same.. just call and ask.. someone will be able to direct you to the information.

Also I suggest.. ARP Association for Retired People. They offer insurance secondary and primary for Seniors. They will also help you find other options if necessary.

Best of Luck.
Joan

 

[Eeyore2U]

I would check to see what your major carriers (BCBS, et al) have for plans possibly a Sr HMO. These plans usually have RX coverage. Also look at their supplements as they also have RX coverage.

 

[minniecarousel]

I order my DM's most expensive prescriptions from Canada. I beleive it's www.mapleleafmeds.com
Her tamoxifen is like half what I can get it from Costco. Her regular medical insurance only pays for generics ($10 per Rx). Mighty big of them - huh?
I think that most Senior Medical Plans (Medicare supplementals) are cutting way back on prescription reimbursement.

 

[Mskanga]

Shame on whoever is allowing insurance companies to get away with this, it's a shame that people have to figure out how to pay for medications or medical attention, that's where our tax money should be going first!
I'm sorry believe, but I have no answer for you other than to wish you good luck with this.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by Mskanga
Shame on whoever is allowing insurance companies to get away with this, it's a shame that people have to figure out how to pay for medications or medical attention, that's where our tax money should be going first!
I'm sorry believe, but I have no answer for you other than to wish you good luck with this.

If you research the topic you'll see the problem is not with insurance carriers but with pharmaceutical companies. The amount they charge is astounding.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Also, look into State resources. In NY, EPIC was a lifesaver for my parents. It's not insurance, and doesn't cover all perscriptions, but helps somewhat in paying for them.

Good luck, and nd I agree - it is an outrage how we treat our seniors. How we can alow them not to be covered by insurance is sinful. Do you know how many senior mis-medicate because they are trying to take order larger dose meds (sinec 60 mg and 30 mg cost close to the same) and split them! And the docs write the scripts that way - to try to save them.

MIL's parkinsons meds (which cause dementia) were written that way (with a 1/2 increase this day, and a subsequent increase then next day, etc.) This poor woman, never particularly good at math to begin waith, and suffering from some medication related dementia, had to figure this out - she ended up in the hospital with medication induced delusions.

Mr Bush and the Republican congress - you can get it done now if you really want to -no Democrates in your way to block your plans

So, do you want to make a difference to our seniors?

 

[Teejay32]

I was going to mention buying them from Canada but someone already did. I understand that insurance companies (like a medicare supplement plan ) will reimburse, too, for medicines filled and shipped from there. Good luck.

 

[RNMOM]

I hope this information can help you. I looked it up again yesterday at work for patient.

I saw this on one of the women's programs on TV a year or so ago. It is called The Medicine Program.

www.medicineprogram.com. They are very clear and self explanatory about how they help and there is no limit on income. They just help people in need.

There were several other programs when I searched for "charity prescription assistance" and topics like this. Please do some searching and look into it. Also speak with doctor's office about possibly getting samples from them to help. Some doctors know about other programs.

Our hospital is the county hospital but is very large and also serves private patients. We have a charity rating allotment people can apply for. It is 6 levels from a little help to 100% assistance. This also includes prescriptions. See if any hospitals in your area have something similar.

Good luck. If I come across any more programs, I will post them.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Believe, I don't know where you live, but I do know that in NJ there is a plan for the low income elderly that helps with phamacy costs called PAAD (pharmaceutical assistance for the aged & disabled).

As you know Medicare DOES NOT pay for prescriptions and only the most expensive Medigap (supplemental insurance for Medicare) covers drugs (plans I & J -- Medigap plans are the same across the board to prevent such confusion. Your basic plan is A and they get more comprehensive and expensive as you work your way to J. ).

Many Medicare HMOs will have drug coverage, but will also have a cap (when I worked for them the cap was $1500 but this was 5 years ago). If you went over the max, you were given discounted rates (but I don't know how much that really helps).

Good luck!