General Discussion

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)

9. Not insurers' fault, generic albuterol does not exist now because of CFC ban to save ozone layer.

Sat Mar 8, 2014, 08:54 PM

Mar 2014

Well, there is some dispute whether pharmaceutical companies took advantage of situation.

But, it does not appear to be insurers' fault this time.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/unlikely-victims-of-banning-cfcs/

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/10/heres-why-your-asthma-inhaler-costs-so-damn-much

While I'm sure there are abuses by Medicare Advantage Plans and straight Part D(rug) plans, as one who paid for my late mom's Rx drugs, I can tell you that the Medicare Drug Program is a big help to the elderly who either went without, or cut pills in half or thirds to get by before prescription drug coverage was enacted in 2005.

And, yes, I occasionally have to use inhalers and have to pay the patent co-pay. In June, I will be on Medicare.

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Managed Care Denies Coverage for Generic Albuterol, Will Only Cover----Name Brand Albuterol [View all] McCamy Taylor Mar 2014 OP

No shit, it's why Part D was such a complete scam Warpy Mar 2014 #1

exactly. nt DesertFlower Mar 2014 #27

The no-negotiation clause is Exhibit A. jsr Mar 2014 #30

I had problems getting my inhalers this year LiberalEsto Mar 2014 #2

local honey cured my sinus hay fever. i wonder if it would help asthma. pansypoo53219 Mar 2014 #17

I can't see how LiberalEsto Mar 2014 #31

Hm laundry_queen Mar 2014 #26

Yep. Noticed that myself. When I had to pay for it, I got Cleita Mar 2014 #3

k&r for the health care insurance scammers. nt magical thyme Mar 2014 #4

don't get me started. they have no business DesertFlower Mar 2014 #29

Healthcare is still a family plan. And by family, I mean Corleone. nt silvershadow Mar 2014 #5

Even the Corleones had some scruples. nt awoke_in_2003 Mar 2014 #10

They are hoping some patients/physicians will give up, so they don't have to pay. bemildred Mar 2014 #6

And when the single payer deniers point to the mess Curmudgeoness Mar 2014 #7

I'm going through that shit with my Part D provider. LuvNewcastle Mar 2014 #8

Not insurers' fault, generic albuterol does not exist now because of CFC ban to save ozone layer. Hoyt Mar 2014 #9

Ventolin costs $5 in Mexico and $65 here XemaSab Mar 2014 #19

That's pharmaceutical companies charging what they can get away with here vs. poorer countries. Hoyt Mar 2014 #23

Yes, thank you. Le Taz Hot Mar 2014 #25

Price of albuterol is another important issue. My concern is denial of payment McCamy Taylor Mar 2014 #32

Generics don't work as well for me. seattledo Mar 2014 #11

Actually we should fight for coverage for both. There is no question that even though generics are lostincalifornia Mar 2014 #12

I agree Rebl Mar 2014 #15

Agreed. MuseRider Mar 2014 #16

There is a lot of things that need to be done, that is for sure lostincalifornia Mar 2014 #21

I've taken Rebl Mar 2014 #13

But at least we don't have the government getting between us and our doctors! Brickbat Mar 2014 #14

Yep, we ought to let them order MRIs, echos, labs, etc., on equipment they bought hoping Hoyt Mar 2014 #18

I've had a similar experience, insurance paying for brand-names but not generics. nomorenomore08 Mar 2014 #20

Yup. It's true. Yo_Mama Mar 2014 #22

The corporations and their lobbyists run the government. DeSwiss Mar 2014 #24

i have humana for part D. i was taking DesertFlower Mar 2014 #28