Quote:
Originally Posted by gomoho
My understanding is you need to research the drugs you are taking to see how they work in the plan you are selecting. Problem is we don't know in advance what meds we might need in the future so it's a gamble. But - think if you had no coverage how that would work.
|
Yes, of course we must research our ongoing drugs, but look what happened to the one of mine that jumped from $15/3 months to $105/3 months.... They can change
anything they want with no regards to the needs of the senior consumer. True that with something one cannot anticipate, like an antibiotic, it can be a "crapshoot."
I have not forgotten what it was like to have no Part D Prescription Drug Plans. My meds cost way less than they do nowadays. Nature hates a vacuum, so as soon as a mega insurance business is created, as it was with Part D, costs rose to fill the vacuum, IMHO.... Remember, with the implementation of Part D, another law made it illegal for Americans to fill their prescriptions in Canada (where obviously they were cheaper, or else why would Americans want to purchase their meds elsewhere.... And why were they cheaper in Canada? Because Canada negotiated with the pharmaceutical companies for bulk purchase; Part D legislation disallowed that, meaning full costs minus whatever the insurance plan came up with served the pharmaceutical industry, not the consumer....
I know someone who was in an accident in a Third World country where there are municipal hospitals for the indigent with no costs involved. He ended up in a private clinic, where the care was superb and the charges were low—I mean even shockingly low! Other expenses of living there were very comparable to here, I was told (for example, food and clothing). Why so reasonable? Simple:
no insurance industry.... His approximately ten days stay in clinic there cost slightly less than the cost of one day in a hospital within the U.S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ijusluvit
I think I'm in the same boat as you. That is, I am seeking a set premium, Part D prescription plan effective January 1st. I'm tempted to opt for the AARP United Health Care companion to Plan F, which runs about $40 per month, but has no additional copays or other costs. I don't spend that much monthly yet, but am not sure what prescription costs I may encounter in the future.
When you find what you think is best, can you tell us who writes the policy, what the premium is and whether there are additional copays or other costs?
Thanks!
|
I believe all the plans have set premiums (the one thing the plan cannot change, whereas they can change anything else). It is hard to figure the best plan for the very reason you mention: not knowing that your needs might be in future. I will do my homework and will be happy to share what I find and what plan I'm going to take. But everyone MUST keep in mind that my experiences and needs might not be the same as anyone else's, that in spite of recommendations, one must do one's own research as well. Good luck!