Question on Medicare, I just started on it.

[LiberalArkie]

Am I now senile or just really stupid. I can not for the life of me figure out the plans that are offered by all the companies.

I started off with Blue Cross of Arkansas for drugs and medical.

After being on it since January and my drug plan costs me more each month than my drugs. Is this normal?

I look at all the plans and even Medicare.gov and walk away more confused than I was to begin with.

[graywarrior]

1. You are not alone

I recently attended a workshop that supposedly was created to answer such questions. The people heading the discussion couldn't even tell us. It's all FUBAR.

[Hoyt]

2. Even experts are confused.

I do not think it is unusual for you to pay more in drug plan premiums than the cost of drugs each month. It's insurance, if the day comes where they put you on a $200 a month or more drug, you'll be glad you have the coverage.

[mrmpa]

3. Let's talk about your prescriptions:

1. Are they all generic drugs?
2. If they are, then you shouldn't be using
your insurance to pay for them.

Example: From my experience with my 83 year old mother's prescriptions. All her drugs are generics.
Her insurance wanted a co-pay of $10 for a month's supply. I hooked her up with the Medicine shoppe, which offers her the generics for a 3 months supply for $10. One of these prescriptions is a cost of $20 for 3 months, but basically everything is $10 & she doesn't use the insurance, (in her case it is a State plan which is a cost of $30 per month, only if she uses it).

There are also prescription drug cards floating around, which at times gives you 75-80% off the cost of the drug.

Because you have insurance, doesn't mean you have to use it, or even have. You will have to do some research with the pharmacies near you, but start shopping around. Here in PA, the Medicine Shoppes & some grocery store pharmacies offer these 3 months for $10 drugs. Hell, the grocery store offers free antibiotics & used to offer free diabetes medications.

My Mom was of the opinion she had to use her drug coverage and she averaged a bit over $1200 per years, I have her down to about $400.

email me if you want some more info.

Mind you, the Part D Medicare was created to make Drug and Insurance companies more wealthy.

[Art_from_Ark]

4. I've got a family member there in Arkansas

who is on Medicare. If you want, you can send me a PM with some details and I can ask her about how she sorted it out.