[Villages PL]

This is something relatively new, blood testing at Walgreens. All it takes is a pinprick and a few drops of blood and they can do as many 200 blood tests. The results can be delivered to the doctor within a matter of hours, and the cost is only a fraction of what regular blood labs currently charge.

This is already available at Walgreens at Colony and Rolling Acres.

Will they reduce our Medicare premium now?

[bob47]

While I can't speak for the Walgreens at Colony, the pharmacist at the Walgreens at Rolling Acres Road knows nothing about this.

According to the Theranos web site, there are centers open in Arizona and California, and new locations will be opening soon.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

This is something relatively new, blood testing at Walgreens. All it takes is a pinprick and a few drops of blood and they can do as many 200 blood tests. The results can be delivered to the doctor within a matter of hours, and the cost is only a fraction of what regular blood labs currently charge.

This is already available at Walgreens at Colony and Rolling Acres.

Will they reduce our Medicare premium now?

VPL - why would our Medicare premiums be reduced because Walgreens starts a blood testing program? I don't see the connection. And the reason I say that is the big commercial labs are under per patient per month contracts (capitation) already. That is why a Medicare plan encourages you to use a specific lab, or you pay an out of pocket fee.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by bob47

While I can't speak for the Walgreens at Colony, the pharmacist at the Walgreens at Rolling Acres Road knows nothing about this.

According to the Theranos web site, there are centers open in Arizona and California, and new locations will be opening soon.

I got the information about Rolling Acres and Colony from the Walgreens pharmacist on Par Drive.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by dbussone

VPL - why would our Medicare premiums be reduced because Walgreens starts a blood testing program? I don't see the connection. And the reason I say that is the big commercial labs are under per patient per month contracts (capitation) already. That is why a Medicare plan encourages you to use a specific lab, or you pay an out of pocket fee.

Not just because of Walgreens and not "now" meaning today or tomorrow. My question is this: Now that the field of blood testing has been revolutionized, will the considerable savings eventually filter down to Medicare recipients? It's just a thought, I can't say that I really expect it to lower Medicare premiums. But, then again, why not?

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Not just because of Walgreens and not "now" meaning today or tomorrow. My question is this: Now that the field of blood testing has been revolutionized, will the considerable savings eventually filter down to Medicare recipients? It's just a thought, I can't say that I really expect it to lower Medicare premiums. But, then again, why not?

I seriously doubt it. As long as the Feds complain that SSA and Medicare are spending more than they are taking in what do you think they'll do. They have been robbing the inviolate trust funds for decades.