April May Bring New Medicare Drug Problems

[babylonsister]

Heckuva job, dimson. :-( I imagine this will come as a surprise to many people. It's so unfair for people to be treated like this. Let Them Eat Cake.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060318/ap_on_go_ot/medicare_drugs;_ylt=AsSUPeffLg6RYUw5F2HsKFQNJ_wE;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--

April May Bring New Medicare Drug Problems

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 17, 9:47 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Many elderly and disabled Americans enrolled for the Medicare drug benefit will face new difficulties in obtaining their medicines on April 1, say advocacy groups familiar with the program.
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On that date, insurers will have more latitude to tell pharmacists that they won't pay for a particular drug. Before that, insurers have been told that they should pay for a prescription even if it's not on the list of drugs they cover.

"I think that, after April 1, you're going to see huge problems with access. It's going to be January 1 all over again," said Tom Clark, policy director at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. The association represents pharmacists who serve nursing homes.

more...

[MadMaddie]

1. How many people are going to die from this debacle....

I guess we should look at it like this....

If there is a busy 4 way intersection and there is no light and accidents happen on a weekly basis...and people are killed every other week....the city decides a light should be put up to prevent more deaths...of course this may take years.

The same way with Medicare...when the death toll rises to ridiculous rates then something will be done.....I think the repugs want to see how bad it can get....

May they rot in hell!

[Trillo]

3. I heard Bush say something last night on the TV news something about

not getting Social Security done.

Well, perhaps he's taking us all for idiots. The new Medicare program may well take care of reducing the total numbers of those retired on Social Security.

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. This is becoming such a mess that they will probably try to cancel

the whole program.

[SmokingJacket]

4. No doubt the original intent... nt

[MadMaddie]

7. A sane mind would cancel such a failure....but these guys will

never admit a mistake and will not attempt to correct a mistake...even if it is costing American lives!!!

[mitchtv]

5. I will not make it

They are denying my immunosuppressants for my transplant. Demanding a "prior authorization" before filling my current presciption. My dr. sat on hold and finally was able to leave a message at the call center. Next business day, when I called to follow up, so I could order, it was if they never heard from anyone. If they were closer I waould be knocking at their door with a gun. Not that I won't end up doing it, It is becoming a matter of life and death.

[babylonsister]

6. God, mitch, I'm so sorry to hear that. I just do not understand

how lifesaving treatment can be denied. Is Medicare/the system denying you, or your insurance company?
I imagined it will become dire for many people, but you just brought it home for me. :hug:

[mitchtv]

8. First of all I had a corporate sponsored drug plan

they switched us by suprise on 1/1/06 without telling us (AT&T) New rules for Healthnet/Medicare require prior authorization. They have these call centers, that will tell you exactly what you want to hear, then go on to the next call and do nothing they promised and you cal the next day. It took me 3 months to fill partner's script, as for all of January and Febuary we were Unknown in their (mail order Rx) systems, Many many calls lasting hours on hold. It is still going on. In answer to your question, theDrug plan is acting on Medicare rules.

[babylonsister]

9. I'm sure it's infuriating for you.

All I can offer is my best wishes that you can somehow get this resolved and get the meds you need.