For years we were spoiled by having a Cadillac health insurance plan. We knew it but knowing and experiencing the difference are two different things. As a teacher I was forced to be a union member and if there is any group that has the government in its pockets, it is the teachers’ unions. We were taken care of. For instance, dental insurance. I think we paid $10.00 in a co-pay the first year and nothing for the next 29. Now we pay cash.
Then I finally retired and moved to Medicare, Plan D and supplemental policies. It has taken us a time to start hitting the bumps. We have found that the specialists that we have seen are on top of things and give excellent care. Since my wife wants the best we signed up for the best and bought the top supplemental plan. The GP and the Medicare “Wellness checks” I have written about already.
She is in the hospital again. We have had not problem getting into emergency rooms, getting in to see the specialist she wanted and scheduled for surgery.
Then we come to the prescriptions. We already found out the difference between private insurance and the government when my cost for a 30 day supply went from $20 to $400+. When I went in to fill her latest, an antibiotic cream, it cost me $117 and the other prescription, if it had been in stock, would have cost us $600.
We will make it. We will not starve, go naked or freeze to death. At least, not yet. I don’t consider the pharmaceutical companies to be the enemy. They are entitled to a return on their investment. I understand that in extreme cases they have plans to help the genuine poor. What frustrates me is the crony capitalism, socialism, that stifles competition and keeps costs high. I don’t want a government program to subsidize my medications. I want the government to get out of the way and let the free market generate the kind of competition that makes companies more efficient and leaner. I know how to price shop but I can’t do that if the government colludes with the drug makers to limit my choices.
homo unius libri
If I remember, There are discount cards available for free, and to purchase which will cut your prescription costs. Walmart makes my prices low enough that I don't fool with them, but yours may be different. Also, I always ask the doctor if something is the cheapest product that will still do the job.
ReplyDeleteWe are blessed to not be poor enough to get some of the specials. Our prescription plan has at least three "tiers" and of course the medications that they are giving us are on the highest where they cover the least. My A-fib medication has two alternatives that are just as expensive. I could use warfarin but it requires constant blood checks and a diet that does not allow green vegetables.
DeleteThe doctors don't have a clue to what this stuff costs. Even the pharmacist can't tell me until it is pay time.
Grace and peace
Try looking at the GoodRx website. It will compare prices at different pharmacies for your prescriptions. Also, when I worked at a doctor's office we had drug samples that a lot of people who couldn't otherwise afford a medication would use. It's possible that the gummint has put the kibosh on that, though. I know the samples were becoming scarce here, by the time I retired a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteOne of the prescriptions we got enough samples fro the doctor that by the time we would have had to pay the $600 we had moved beyond that to surgery. The other cost so much because under our Medicare D we pay the total bill until we reach a deductible.
DeleteI won't really worry until my wife says we don't have enough money to go out to eat.
Grace and peace