I'm about to enter the dreaded Medicare Part D "Donut Hole"...

[zanne]

I pay regular premiums for this "brilliant" Bush-inspired prescription insurance, but it stops covering my prescriptions before half the year is up. Last year, I had to scrounge around doctor's offices for samples (actually begging), taking my pills only every other day (including heart medication), or not taking it at all.

I have three prescriptions that do not come in generic form, so I'll have to pay full price. That's $600 a month. The rest, I can get from Wal-Mart while holding my nose.

This system is so f**ked up. We're back to eating baloney and hot dogs.

[sandnsea]

1. Can you get them free?

I don't know what the rules are for the doughnut hole. I know you can't get anything free if you have insurance, but when your insurance doesn't pay anymore, maybe it's different. We gave our doctors the Wal-mart list and told them they'd have to fix us with those medications. Other than the Plavix, they switched everything to what's on the list.

[zanne]

4. I can't get them free while on Medicare Part D.

I used to get them from a program in my state that got them directly from the drug companies. Then, for some reason, doctors began encouraging people to buy into Medicare Part D instead. Finally, my doctor said he could no longer help me with the free meds because I was eligible for Medicare Part D. I looked for other doctors, but they all told me the same thing.

[asjr]

2. I am in the same boat. This

Medicare Part D program was advanced by the pharmaceutical companies. I knew that going in but had no idea the "hole" would open up so suddenly and so widely. I take my medication every other day now. One of my Rx's jumped in price overnight and I take it every two days. I haven't been able to donate to DU in ages because of trying to stay alive.

[Holly_Hobby]

9. See my post down thread, #8 n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

3. I really hate what this country does to old people. (And young ones, for that matter)

I'm an apprentice geezer myself--63 and "retired" from a state job with 23 years' service--but still working full-time. I'm still on the state's health plan, but have to pay the total premium myself, which takes my entire retirement check. At this point, I see no way to retire.

[zanne]

5. I'm 56 and I'm on Medicare Disability.

Heart disease, Muscular Dystrophy. I wish I could work.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. I'm so sorry. That must be very hard.

[NNN0LHI]

6. I see Montel Williams on TV every day saying the drug companies will provide free drugs

Please don't tell me good old Montel is not being truthful. He looks so honest.

Don

[zanne]

7. I used to get meds from something called "meds for Manchester"...

The problem is, if you qualify to get Medicare Part D, alot of doctors (maybe all) insist that you sign up. Your doctor has to sign up for the free meds program. Then, once they've got you on Medicare Part D, you feel great about it for awhile...until you find yourself falling into the abyss known as the donut hole.

[Holly_Hobby]

8. Call your county Health Dept. RIGHT NOW

They give my 73 year old Mom free Rx's while she's in the donut hole, and give $4 Rx's (whether their name brand or generic) to my unemployed brother with end stage liver disease. They realize how harmful Medicare Part D has been to most people. Good luck.

[ljm2002]

10. There was a thread a few days ago...

...about buying generic drugs. They pointed out that pharmacies -- including Walmart -- mark up generics way more than they need to. And they provided an alternative: Costco. Costco pharmacies just do a small percentage markup on their generics, and several posters followed up after researching the relative prices -- many of them wished they had known about this. Also, if you are only going in to get medication, apparently Costco does not require you to have a membership in order to buy pharmaceuticals.

FWIW, hope this is helpful.

[dysfunctional press]

12. baloney and hot dogs? and you're already on heart medication?

doesn't sound like a good combo platter...:shrug:

btw- check out target- they're offering $4 scripts on a lot of meds as well.

[emdee]

13. PPARX

Go to www.pparx.org and plug in your info.
Some corporations will provide your medications during the Donut hole but I don't think you can count the cost of the drug towards getting out of the hole.
Just make sure to fill out the paperwork entirely. They will return applications if an "i" isn't dotted, almost.
And, fyi, I always have the applications completely filled out for my relatives so that the doctor only has to sign the form on the spot I've highlighted and fill out a prescription form. If you leave the forms for the doctors offices to fill out, they can charge you, lose them, take forever, and get mad to boot!

***Another good place to go is www.rxoutreach.com ***-- It only looks at income and it doesn't matter what your age is or if you have insurance or not. You can get 3 months of medications for $20, $30, or $40 by mail.

Hope this helps!
emdee

[emdee]

14. Also...

Also, the relatives that I've helped would not be helped by Plan D.
I think that since you are signed up now, you have to stay signed up until the end of the year (even though the Plan can change anything they like).
At the end of the year, if nothing changes, I would suggest getting out of the program and canceling your coverage. Then you can return to getting your drugs through the corporations or rxoutreach by using the links in the post above. Don't depend on the doctor to find the drugs - those links will give you all the info you need.
Good luck,
emdee