good question! Now that I just went on medicare due to my finally being approved for SS disability insurance benefits, I'm concerned too.

I hadn't given it any thought I may have a problem with a LLMD! thanks for waking me up!

I'd like to know exactly what's going to happen to us.

I only have medicare (no medicaid) and am very worried about the forced prescription coverage that's going to raise prescription costs (and for a fee I can't afford to pay).

Benefits have been cut severely and prices raised in the past few years.

I usually get all my expensive meds from patient assistance programs and am wondering if they'll all dry up once the medicare changes go into effect. One of the questions on every form is, "Do you have prescription coverage?"

I haven't been able to deal with it. It's entirely too emotionally charged. (I've been actively not dealing with it for months because of the feeling of complete hopelessness.)

I get my meds through Patient's Assistance Program's. One through a doctor's office and the other through the Health Dept where my primary physician is. Remember that not all meds will be on Medicare's list to be be covered...they are selective and stingy. So, we may still have to use Patient's Assistance if Medicare will not pay for a med.

I do not think that Part A and Part B of Medicare is changing at all....just the new perscription drug program. Meds will be available at very low costs...very low. but selective.

Hope this helped...if I find out more, I will post it.

Also Medicare has their own website with updates on this change. It is very informative. www.Medicare.gov

Jean

Anyone on Medicare will receive a handbook and info on all the plans and sign up info in the Fall.

Hope this all helps.

How did you find out what your co-payment would be? I can't find a choice of plans. So far all I've got is a message saying they'll let me know by the end of the year.

It seems to me, what I'll get is to pay $37/month. I haven't found any more information other than I'm not eligible for extra help. It wouldn't be so bad if I could afford somewhere to live; I can't afford to give them anymore.

The info on the choice of plans etc will be out in a special handbook along with another book for Medicare 2006 in the Fall. That is all I can find out for now.

I received a letter from Medicare in June that stated my co-pay will be $5 a scipt and that I am eligible for extra help. The state of KY is paying my Part B premium for me because I am low income.

It would rally be worth your while to give Medicare a phone call. You may have to wait awhile to get through, but it is worth it because they are very helpful and nice to talk to.

In the meantime, if I find out more I will post it and let you know..

Yes $37 is a lot when you are already paying for premiums and deductibles and co-pays for doctor visits etc... Every dollar counts when you have a Chronic disease.....it stinks.

I'll call and see if they can tell me anything.

IMPORTANT! She said those on medicare/medicaid will be sent a letter showing what the $$$ amount would be if you signed up for their program! KEEP THIS LETTER!

Do NOT throw it away! She said you can not get a duplicate of it. Importance...if you chose NOT to get it right now, you can still get it for the SAME $$$ LATER!

If you do NOT have the letter, you can not! Letter is your evidence of the quoted amount!
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My Wellmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield drug plan is this for group state employees/retirees:

$5 for generic;
$15 for brand name or brand generic:
and $20 for ALL other brand names...

out of pocket max:

$250 per person or $500 per family for any combination of family members.

So with my 11 rx meds, I meet my $250 in either March or April & the rest of the year is FREE to me.

So in Dec. before 12-31, I made sure I get all my refills filled while it is still free!

I also went recently to a medicare program by SHIIP.

They stated there were 3 groups who really do NOT apply to the new rules:

1 ... big group plans (state, federal);
2 ... world war 2 vets
3... vets of the wars since

We got our updated BC/BS book this week, and I read it very carefully....a few changes here & there.

bettyg