I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: boxman55 on August 16, 2008, 05:49:24 PM

Title: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: boxman55 on August 16, 2008, 05:49:24 PM

I need to buy prescription insurance can you tell me which plan (part D) you selected and why
I need to buy supplement secondary insurance can you tell me which plan you selected and why

Thanks, Boxman

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: glitter on August 16, 2008, 06:25:13 PM

I picked my husbands Part D- we went with the AARP plan- it has all of his meds, and the co-pays are not exorbitant. How I choose it? There are so many plans, I found one that carried the most and was the cheapest price, and just went for it-I was scared sh*tless, but it was really hard to figure out it was overwhelming. My pharmacist told me about four different ones also, and then I went online...goodluck and I hope someone has some good advice.

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: G-Ma on August 16, 2008, 07:01:08 PM

I have heard that many people visited with their pharmacists who were very knowledgable about the different plans.  Until I'm 65, luckily I have AT&T so you can believe I'm making sure I make my payments.  Too many people are stuck without insurance and that should not have to be.

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: Chris on August 16, 2008, 07:16:58 PM

I forgot who I had intially but AARP bought them out. When this Part D first started, it was very confussing. I typed in all my medications and was given a choice of 4 to 6. I also looked up which pharmacies in my area participate in Part D. There is a book they send that list the companies in the back of the book. I still don't fully understand it, but manage. Some drugs fall into a different teir group which means a different cost to you. I still use my local pharmacy, but for most medications I use the Medicare mail order pharmacy for 3 month supply. I have noticed that the meds do cost a little more from them though on somethings, plus now they do not cover some meds my other local mail order pharmacy was sending (Had trouble with them 1 to many times dealing with receptionist and now worrry about bank card fraud). Some of these plans have different services and cost, which means a lot of reading on the Medicare website.

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: jbeany on August 16, 2008, 09:01:25 PM

boxman - go to medicare.gov.  Sign up and go thru the computer program on line.  It lets you input all your meds, and then offers you a list of compatible part D plans, showing all the costs.  It takes a while, and it's a pain, but it will give you all your options. It even lets you put in the pharmacy and it will figure costs at different places for you.

I just signed up for a BCBS supplemental insurance called MyBlue Medigap Plan C.  It's $107 a month, and is supposed to cover all the co-pays and deductibles (except for the ones that come with the prescriptions.)

Hopefully, that will keep me covered until I can get Medicaid again.

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: thegrammalady on August 17, 2008, 01:38:10 AM

if you go to the medicare site they have you list all your medications then they give you a list of the plans that cover your medications and what each plan costs. i just chose the cheapest. at that time for me it was aarp, which is through united health which i had had at one job as medical coverage and here in colorado at least they were pretty good. i don't know if they are still the cheapest, but i've never thought it was necessary to change. also if you have wallgreens in your area the pharmacy will help you.

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: boxman55 on August 17, 2008, 07:59:02 AM

thanks for the help I did go to the website and entered all my scripts. Trying to decide which plan is the best and least expensive is mind boggling with the co-pays, gap pricing (donut hole?) mail order, local pharmacies which I have seven to chose from, and so on. Thats just for pills. I haven't even started looking at supplement insurance. UGH...Boxman

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: lola on August 17, 2008, 09:14:15 AM

Mark, what about someone at your D center helping you? Both centers Otto has been at they have been so helpful, it's so confusing and scary your going to choose wrong. We were told since Otto is still working(thank God) and has really good ins we would be wasting our money.

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: boxman55 on August 17, 2008, 09:50:40 AM

Hi Lola, I did and they recommened one company, but I need to check them all out just so like you said, "I don't choose wrong" Also I am 53 years old so that matters with some companies as far as premiums and acceptance UGH again..Boxman

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: Lori1851 on August 17, 2008, 11:17:03 AM

I think Dustin's was Medco and they payed alot of stuff!!!!! His scriots were like 1-$3.00 besides he was low income so that helped.

Lori/Indiana

Title: Re: Medicare part D and supplement Ins.
Post by: boxman55 on August 18, 2008, 07:21:27 PM

I found a program here in Wisconsin called Wisconsin Chronic Renal Disease Program. This program not only covers the 20% medicare doesn't but it also pays in full all medications that are related to dialysis. IE Renagel, all heart meds and vitamins like folbee plus. You have to have  part D insurance but it will cut my meds in half such where I will never hit the gap in a years time. Based on that I choose Humana PDP Enhanced for my Part D prescription drug program that will cost me $14.41 per month with no deductable. Generics are $4.00 each which I have (3) in this program and Brands are 25.00 each which I have (2) both are insulin bottles that I get at least 2 months out of each bottle...Boxman