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Medicare Survival
From my blog at Medicare Survival Guide. I hope this might help someone:
Through the Medicare Survival Guide and from the 1-877-GUIDE15, I get to visit with a lot of people. In many cases people are desperate for help. Some people are in very difficult situations and need information. They call with a very specific question. I do the best I can to answer their immediate concern, as does Toni. Here is the advice I give to people who call concerned about their prescription medication.
If you cannot afford to take your prescribed medications talk with your doctor. Ask your doctor if there are less expensive alternatives or generic medications.
With a chronic illness, I have learned to always ask for samples of any new medication before I get the prescription filled. (Many of times my doctor and I have tried a new or different medication only to find that the old one was better for me.)
Price compare pharmacies whether you have a drug plan or not. Remember even those with a prescription drug plan should shop around. We all need the best price for the prescriptions because with Medicare it is what you and your insurance pays that goes towards the donut hole!!
Another cost saving tip that I have personally discovered out of necessity is to break the pill in half. (Please keep in mind that not all medications can be cut like this, and only do this with your doctor’s approval!!) This can be complicated and dangerous.
Let’s pretend 50mg of tablet XYZ sells for $130.00 ($30.00 co-pay), 100mg of the same XYZ sells for $150.00 ($30.00 cop-pay). Ask your doctor to write the prescription for the 100mg tablets. (Make it clear to him that you understand you must cut them in half using a pill cutter.) Here is the catch, make sure he writes it for 1 pill a day, not 1/2 tablet daily. This will basically give you a 60 day supply at a 30 day price. A huge price savings if you are paying cash money, or it keep you from going into the donut hole.
You will also need to pay attention to this at the pharmacy. Kindly decline their offer to do you a favor and give you 50mg tablets.
(If you are reading this for some one else, please understand, that people can become easily confused or forget. A mistake could result in a critical situation.)
There are programs that are sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies visit www.rxassist.org and www.pparx.org
Depending on your income level you may be eligible for “extra help”! Contact your social security office to see if you qualify. Also don’t be hesitant to contact your state office for Medicaid for assistance.
There is help out there, some times it is just a matter of finding it. Some times it is just learning about the way a system works. You can save money and avoid the donut hole.
The Medicare Survival Guide is a helpful resource for understanding your options and choices that will have a profound impact on your health care and financial well-being.
Knowledge is power! Be a well-informed consumer.
Share your money saving tips for prescription medications.
Thanks for reading
! Judy
Through the Medicare Survival Guide and from the 1-877-GUIDE15, I get to visit with a lot of people. In many cases people are desperate for help. Some people are in very difficult situations and need information. They call with a very specific question. I do the best I can to answer their immediate concern, as does Toni. Here is the advice I give to people who call concerned about their prescription medication.
If you cannot afford to take your prescribed medications talk with your doctor. Ask your doctor if there are less expensive alternatives or generic medications.
With a chronic illness, I have learned to always ask for samples of any new medication before I get the prescription filled. (Many of times my doctor and I have tried a new or different medication only to find that the old one was better for me.)
Price compare pharmacies whether you have a drug plan or not. Remember even those with a prescription drug plan should shop around. We all need the best price for the prescriptions because with Medicare it is what you and your insurance pays that goes towards the donut hole!!
Another cost saving tip that I have personally discovered out of necessity is to break the pill in half. (Please keep in mind that not all medications can be cut like this, and only do this with your doctor’s approval!!) This can be complicated and dangerous.
Let’s pretend 50mg of tablet XYZ sells for $130.00 ($30.00 co-pay), 100mg of the same XYZ sells for $150.00 ($30.00 cop-pay). Ask your doctor to write the prescription for the 100mg tablets. (Make it clear to him that you understand you must cut them in half using a pill cutter.) Here is the catch, make sure he writes it for 1 pill a day, not 1/2 tablet daily. This will basically give you a 60 day supply at a 30 day price. A huge price savings if you are paying cash money, or it keep you from going into the donut hole.
You will also need to pay attention to this at the pharmacy. Kindly decline their offer to do you a favor and give you 50mg tablets.
(If you are reading this for some one else, please understand, that people can become easily confused or forget. A mistake could result in a critical situation.)
There are programs that are sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies visit www.rxassist.org and www.pparx.org
Depending on your income level you may be eligible for “extra help”! Contact your social security office to see if you qualify. Also don’t be hesitant to contact your state office for Medicaid for assistance.
There is help out there, some times it is just a matter of finding it. Some times it is just learning about the way a system works. You can save money and avoid the donut hole.
The Medicare Survival Guide is a helpful resource for understanding your options and choices that will have a profound impact on your health care and financial well-being.
Knowledge is power! Be a well-informed consumer.
Share your money saving tips for prescription medications.
Thanks for reading
! Judy
At last, I get invited somewhere!
I was about to give up on this Eons thing. I am in the healthcare business, purchasing medical supplies, precisely. I have had my share of brushes with disease and aging, but at 55 found myself out of coffee when I woke up from my nap (maybe I wouldn't have been so tired if I took my thyroid med, duh!) and decided to bicycle up in to town. Once I get past the first long hill in low gear, the other 4 miles are a breeze, then I get to come back. That was empowering. And healthy. Healthcare can only do so much, I am in Group Health, and it is a co-operative. I have to co-operate. When I was ready to quit smoking, they helped. That worked for 6 years til I thought I could smoke just on cigar with my brothers. My bad. But not ready to quit yet. Anyway, Enough about me. I took the time to read one other profile and posting from this group and know this is where I belong and will look forward to using this great medium to interact and learn. Thanks.
Comparison Shopping Site for LowCost Prescriptions
eDrugSearch.com is a comparison shopping site where you can find low prices on medications from Canada. Prescription drug prices in Canada are currently 25 to 50 percent less than U.S. prices, on average. The great thing about eDrugSearch.com is that all the pharmacies have been run through a 10-point inspection process, ensuring they are properly licensed and have safe and secure procedures in place. That way, you know the meds are both safe and affordable. eDrugSearch.com was recently featured on the national TV show, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, on a segment on online pharmacy safety. Particularly if you don't have prescription drug insurance, you should definitely check this site out.
view link
view link
Thanks for the Invitation
I am a type II Diabetic,a thyroid patient with arthritis and high BP. My current employer is in the middle of liquidation and we were informed today that COBRA would only be offered for about 90 days as the company is dissolved. I have recently been receiving prescription help thru CoverRX with the state of Tennessee and the Kroger pharmacy is offering many scripts at reduced prices and that has been a tremendous help.
My concern now is I am being sent to a diabetes specialist by my GP as my blood sugars are out of whack, and I am haing a shoulder problem that the GP thinks is my rotator cup,
Any suggestions on healthcare coverage would be great...I am seriously worried that what little unemployment I will get wont even cover the cobra premiums much less the meds.
And with a new doctor on the horizon, I am pretty freaked out
littlemamoo
My concern now is I am being sent to a diabetes specialist by my GP as my blood sugars are out of whack, and I am haing a shoulder problem that the GP thinks is my rotator cup,
Any suggestions on healthcare coverage would be great...I am seriously worried that what little unemployment I will get wont even cover the cobra premiums much less the meds.
And with a new doctor on the horizon, I am pretty freaked out
littlemamoo
Phoebescat
Hi, and thanks for the invite. I'm a 60 year old female with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. I recently had to stop working, and I'm on long term disability with my former employer. I'm in process with social security disability (and I know that can take nearly forever). When I'm finally on SSDI I'll be worrying about the health coverage and prescription coverage. Right now, it's covered, but I don't know about the future. I'm on about 9 different meds including Enbrel. Feel like crap most of the time anyway.
I agree about the comedy - movies, etc. I DO watch soap operas, though, because frankly, they're pretty funny. So much angst! Makes me feel like I don't have it so badly!
I agree about the comedy - movies, etc. I DO watch soap operas, though, because frankly, they're pretty funny. So much angst! Makes me feel like I don't have it so badly!
Thank-you for the invite
I am a 62year old male trying to live on SS disibalty. Iget my blood pressure and depression med from the V.A. which helps a lot. I have sever arthritis in my back shoulders and legs and get my pain pills form my local Dr. and am at present being evaluated for a knee replacment.
Thanks for the invitation
I recently have been going the gambut on trying to find free everything! I am off work due to medical reasons and Aetna is the deciding company whether I get paid or not for my short term disability. They of course, denied me payment all through May. So I had to get food stamps, and call all my creditors trying to work something out. I really don't want to lose my house. I've never been in this situation before, but the hospital sent me a form to fill out for assistance. I owe them about 6 different bills. I owe my chiropractor, general practitioner and surgeon and two specialists. It sucks. I will be off work for quite some time and its no fun. Everyone I talked to on the phone (creditors) were all nice, some can help, others can't. So, I just keep my head up and my sense of humor in tact. WHat else can you do???
Thanks for some of the suggestions. I did try out the rxoutreach.com site, they don't have any of my medications. I have 7 prescriptions sitting here that need filled, but have no money for co-pays. Isn't that some crap?
Well, that is all I have to rage about right now. Good luck to all of you!
Thanks for some of the suggestions. I did try out the rxoutreach.com site, they don't have any of my medications. I have 7 prescriptions sitting here that need filled, but have no money for co-pays. Isn't that some crap?
Well, that is all I have to rage about right now. Good luck to all of you!
Hope This Helps Someone
I have just read some of your posts and thought I would pass on what helps me and some links that may help with insurance coverage. Laughter is one of the best medicines and I try to do a lot of it. Lately I have watched some very funny old movies on TCM. Here is a link with Laughter tips. Also go to youtube and do a search for Charlie bit me. It's two little boys and funny. I only watch movies that are clean, positive and fun. No sob stories and I refuse to watch Soaps. Wrong Thinking.
One of the best places to get prescription drugs is view link This is Express Scripts and you can get a 90 day supply really reasonable. I don't take any medicines I watch what I eat. I have been drinking a lot of coffee and it was hurting my stomach. Sodas also hurt my stomach, so I don't drink either one anymore and my stomach doesn't hurt. I figure this is much better than taking medicine. My husband gets a 90 day supply of Lorazepam for $30. Here are two sites that may give you some help with insurance coverage. view link and view link Also my son has some health problems and was told he could get coverage from view link I hope this helps someone. Wishing you all the best.
One of the best places to get prescription drugs is view link This is Express Scripts and you can get a 90 day supply really reasonable. I don't take any medicines I watch what I eat. I have been drinking a lot of coffee and it was hurting my stomach. Sodas also hurt my stomach, so I don't drink either one anymore and my stomach doesn't hurt. I figure this is much better than taking medicine. My husband gets a 90 day supply of Lorazepam for $30. Here are two sites that may give you some help with insurance coverage. view link and view link Also my son has some health problems and was told he could get coverage from view link I hope this helps someone. Wishing you all the best.
