Yes, if you read it on the internet it MUST be true:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
Just ignore a direct source and go right to the rumor mill---good thinking:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I've been retired for 5 years, so give me even half a reason I would lie

Maybe your doctor was "mad" because he had your best interests at heart and realized the colossal idiocy of dropping your insurance. Or maybe he was the one doctor with direct access to Clarence Beeks:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I think you should forget paying for the antihypertensive medication and get a prescription for an effective antipsychotic

Yes, exactly. If your MAGI is below about $65K you can get a pretty substantial subsidy with an Obamacare Plan from Florida Blue. The lower your MAGI, the higher the subsidy (until you get to the Medicaid limit). If your MAGI is above the maximum for a subsidy, you can still get a plan but it will run you about $1100 per month with an $8000 out-of-pocket maximum, as an example. There are a lot of different Obamacare compliant plans with various premiums and out-of-pocket maximums. There are also non-Obamacare compliant plans for lower cost. For example, catastrophic coverage plans for about $400 per month. The Villages Health Care will take the Florida Blue plans if you want to use them for a primary care physician.

First off, if you are taking blood-pressure meds, you are not really healthy. If your health took a turn for the worse, it would not only bankrupt you, but people like me who do pay for insurance would have to subsidized those costs through higher insurance rates. No thank you!

If you cannot afford insurance, then you should consider living somewhere cheaper than The Villages so you have the wherewithal to buy insurance instead of forcing others to subsidize your health care.

I am not sure I follow why you would do nothing if you were diagnosed with cancer. You are 61 years old and might very well make into your eighties or even beyond (the actuarial tables have you living another 24 years). Do you realize that you can be successfully treated for many forms of cancer? For example, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and she would most likely be dead today if it wasn't successfully treated. I was also diagnosed with cancer and non-treatment was never an option.

We don't have normal insurance and our meds are not paid. We go to a primary care Dr. In Ocala. Pay monthly and our meds are very cheap because they fill them there. My BP med is $2.
You can also use good RX and GSK as discount cards, but I think you will have to have a Dr call in a prescription an all cases.
Good luck

I am confused as to why you Don’t have health insurance. If you are on blood pressure medication you need monitoring by physician. If you can’t afford health insurance you probably will not be able to afford to live in the villages.

At least the OP is willing to pay cash for his health care. In my opinion, the only way to reduce the outrageous cost for healthcare is to require all patients to participate in their own healthcare cost with an affordable copay, based on a percentage of the total cost. Healthcare providers should be required to display prices for all of their services on their website. Then, patients could shop around for the best service and price. Insurance companies should not be allowed fo cover healthcare costs at 100 percent where the patient doesn't care, or even know, the actual cost for their treatment.

Perhaps you don't realize this, but the "prices" for Medicare patients are set by the government, and the private insurers base their reimbursement on a percentage of the Medicare fee, usually 115%. So a display would be exactly the same for all physicians in the same specialty and geographic area. And most insurances have some type of co-pay, so your premise is already in place. Besides, physician services only account for 9% of the total health cost in the US.

So what drives "the outrageous" cost of healthcare?
1) technology--everyone wants "a test"
2) litigation---Out of a 3 trillion dollar/year healthcare bill, estimates show up to 800 billion is wasted on useless tests ordered defensively to avoid lawsuits
3) pharmaceutical costs---It now takes almost 1 billion and 6 years to bring a drug to market, only for the company to get sued at every opportunity. My suggestions is that all plaintiff's attorneys engaged in healthcare lawsuits have to receive THEIR treatment with technology and drugs from 100 years ago and see how they change their tune
4) long term care---Americans are living much longer and fewer and fewer families take care of their parents at home

The problem is that there is so much $$$$ involved that no one really wants to change it. Hilary was supposed to fix it in the first hundred days of 1993:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: Obamacare is a total joke that has driven to cost up further and is the biggest tax hike in history. European models don't really work. They do in a small country, but with 330 million Americans not so much. Plus European systems rely on rationing to keep cost down, something I doubt America is willing to accept. So for now I'm afraid the spiral will continue.

@biker1: my goal is not to live as long as possible. My greatest fear is being in a nursing home, ain't gonna happen

@golfingeagle: I highly doubt you were a doctor. You just dont sound that educated. Getting derogatory and demeaning someone during a debate sounds, well, redneck. You havent proven anything.

You proceed from the false assumption that I was debating you. No, I was trying to educate someone with a very limited grasp on the healthcare system and a head full of internet gossip and rumor that has no foundation in reality. Not educated?:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
I'll give you more credit if you can tell me the genus and species of the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, or the vector of Trympanasoma cruzi, or even what color human blood is:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Oh boy, where do I start.

What you want to avoid is dying prematurely of something that is entirely curable, such as skin cancer, or having your quality of your life diminish prematurely because you failed to address a treatable health issue. When your life is no longer worth living you can always get a Dr. K kit - nobody is going to force you into a nursing home. Your life is not a practice run, you don't get a second chance.

I am pretty sure golfingeagle is a retired Dr. You would be well advised to listen to his advise because I am pretty sure he knows more than you.

This thread should be closed.

I AM monitored!!!! Who said I cant afford health insurance???

I do realize that prices are set by the Government, but they shouldn't be. And, all insurance copay or coinsurance payments should be based on a percentage of the cost, not a fixed charge, like $20. The current system does not benefit or encourage cost reduction by competitive pricing that involves the patient.

How would you like to buy insurance for groceries? You go to Publix, where there are no prices on the shelf, and you just pick up whatever you want and walk out because it's covered by insurance?

...and other criteria. The other criteria is being disabled or blind, and the OP already said he/she is in good health. So they would not qualify for Medicaid. I know this because I was qualified in Connecticut since that state expanded Medicaid, but did not qualify in Florida because FL did not expand Medicaid.

Poverty alone does NOT qualify people in Florida for Medicaid.

When you move to TV then look into the healthcare marketplace. Even tho the enrollement time has passed you are doing a life event by moving to Florida, guess I am assuming your comming from another state. Based on your income , doesnt have to be low, you can get insurance through them. You may get some assistance with the cost Florida Blue is one of the choices so that gives you many dr's. Otherwise go to a emergency care clinic they will be happy to take your money.

If you're near the Mexican border you can just cross the border and go to a pharmacy and get your pills without a prescrition.

@golfingeagle quote Perhaps you don't realize this, but the "prices" for Medicare patients are set by the government, and the private insurers base their reimbursement on a percentage of the Medicare fee, usually 115%. So a display would be exactly the same for all physicians in the same specialty and geographic area. And most insurances have some type of co-pay, so your premise is already in place. Besides, physician services only account for 9% of the total health cost in the US.

So what drives "the outrageous" cost of healthcare?
1) technology--everyone wants "a test"
2) litigation---Out of a 3 trillion dollar/year healthcare bill, estimates show up to 800 billion is wasted on useless tests ordered defensively to avoid lawsuits
3) pharmaceutical costs---It now takes almost 1 billion and 6 years to bring a drug to market, only for the company to get sued at every opportunity. My suggestions is that all plaintiff's attorneys engaged in healthcare lawsuits have to receive THEIR treatment with technology and drugs from 100 years ago and see how they change their tune
4) long term care---Americans are living much longer and fewer and fewer families take care of their parents at home

The problem is that there is so much $$$$ involved that no one really wants to change it. Hilary was supposed to fix it in the first hundred days o



So, insurance was a mistake originally. If people had to pay out of pocket for these additional test, it would be a whole different story. Why people just cant accept that life ends is beyond me. We die! Accept it.

Oh, I'm going to treat some things, if easily treated.

:agree:

Why? Its informative.

Never personally used - but - heard that a website called drsays can do that - believe it cost around $35.

I don't know where the OP lives, but maybe she should come rent for a month and spend her time visiting doctor offices to find out if they take cash patients. She obviously has a strong anti-insurance opinion, so she doesn't need or want insurance information. She says she has funds and can afford future treatment (that's debatable, but moot at this point.) If she wants to take her chances on her health future and chooses to pay until she's broke, that's her choice. Maybe her doctor was mad because she wanted to go out of the country for the medications. She apparently didn't follow-up on the reason and assumes it was "kickback". Only "kickback" I've ever seen is free lunch for office staff once in a while from a drug rep and I don't know that those are even done any longer. I would think that an urgent-care facility would not prescribe a yearly refill, but I've never gone to one for that. Personally, I guess I'd prefer to come to The Villages and enjoy retirement instead of wondering where to get health care. But in the interest of being sure, she can research by calling/visiting offices and do it before she moves permanently. Her choices in health care and insurance have nothing to do with whether she can afford to live in The Villages--that would be another whole topic. I'd get a refill before I moved and then I'd have a year to look into it. Worse case scenario is she has to go back to her current place once a year and get the prescription refilled.

THAT was you take home message from my post????? All I can say is an (uneducated) WOW!

Actually, I wouldn't have a problem with it, as long as the situation was the same as medical fees---price for everything the exact same at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Fresh Market, Walmart and Aldi's and I paid $10.00 copay. The only reason to know the price is to comparison shop, which cannot be done when all the fees are set the same. (and curiosity)

How should I have taken it?

Also, why should my finances be tied to others? Cause someone wants to sit on the couch munching doritos all day shouldnt mean I have to pay.

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer 10 years ago, at 58. Had a hysterectomy, no further treatment needed. I have greatly enjoyed the last ten years and look forward to many more.

Had I decided "it was my time" and passed on the surgery, I would probably be dead now (and it wouldn't have been an easy death!)

To each her own, I guess ...

kathy

You can get some meds in Mexico without a prescription but many do require one (and from a Mexican doctor). Just saying ...

k.

I hope you find what you’re looking for, I don’t judge someone opinions or actions. As with most all insurance’s it’s scheme. Good luck.

If you pay a flat fee per month to the doc use it or lose it - that's called insurance. Your lack of disclosure or should I call it progressive disclosure on this topic does not pass the smell test. You have exhibited enough intelligence on this subject that you certainly can figure out how to get blood pressure med.

Yes, I believe I can get them, thanks! Everyone was very helpful! A flat fee per month of less than $100 is better than $1000. It fits my situation. That is being a good business person. How do you get progressive outta that, pray tell. Isnt it being a good capitalist? Using the market and competition and all? Sorry, I dont want to fund your excessive testing....

We are quite happy here in Utopia. Funding and handouts is not what we are looking for. By far most of us have paid our dues and kicking back and trying to enjoy the few perks left with a great appreciation of what we have and earned. Good luck to your future endeavours.

Me too. Paid into it all my life until recently.

Well, you , of course, realize I wasn't the one who originally said part of the problem with sky rocketing health care was the excessive testing. Look back in the thread. You should redirect your accusation.

Let's stay on topic about finding cash pay doctors. Arguing about "kickbacks" is detracting from the thread.

Moderator

Answer is below
 

Gigi,

The root of your question is how can I get my blood pressure pills.

Use an overseas pharmacy that does not require a script. Most of the "Canadian" pharmacies are in fact in India.

Break for all doubters:. Many if not most of the generic 4.00/month drugs are made overseas.

The types of drugs that you can get are generic cheap, old, well known generics such as statins (lipitor Cholesterol). No narcotics, no advanced drugs.

The economics of this are, let's say for a statin which are 10.00 for 90 days in the states, 40.00 a year. On these sites they would be, say 100.00. it gets shipped from India. They make a high margin from this. They are motivated to have you repeat order which keeps the counterfeits down. Think about this they just sold a drug that cost them 16.00 and 1.00 to ship for 100.00

How do you find these pharmacies? Use a non Google search engine - name of drug, no prescription.

Now is this a bad idea, it is similar to going to Mexico. It is not the safest approach, but it is better than no meds at all.

No doubters, the vast majority of shipments are not seized by the postal service. And no you will not get a fine or have the DEA bust down your door for some blood pressure pills. Just like doing the same thing from Mexico.

Huh??? I can not believe I'm reading this.

I still can't believe what I'm reading!!!

Funny......I imagine the OP is a male.

Now I'm confused, It sounded like you are totally against getting health insurance. In this post it sounds like you are willing to pay a small amount of like $100. Are you willing to or not ? If yes there are ways to get a policy through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) even if you have a substantial amount of money. I was in the same position as you paying $1600/month before Medicare and was able to get better coverage through ACA for $100/month. Takes a little effort and planning.

Also for all of us please make it clear is this thread about finding a cash only doc near TV or about your crusade against health insurance ? If your tempted to answer both please prioritize which one is more important to you so as the moderator requested we stay on subject.