I was just reviewing some of the options for the 2006 Medicare drug plan and it's a bit overwhelming. I have like 50+ options for my area.
I just started seeing a doctor who will be putting me on ABX soon, not sure what combo, but will be talking to her on Monday. I believe she will be rotating them so it makes it even more complicated.
You can enter your medications on the Medicare website and it will list several plans with the specifics. However, since I'm not taking any ABX right now it would be hard to guess what my doctor will prescribe.
I'm thinking I will probably have to call each company and ask their policy regarding ABX for Lyme disease. I sense if you trust the Medicare website you will get burned and it would be best to contact the companies directly, even if it says they would cover, say Ketek for an extended period of time. What happens if they only allow a ten day supply? I'm out of luck.
My question is this: Has this been discussed before, or has anyone researched this and determined the best option/plan for people with LD? I know plans are different depending on where you live; I live in LA County.
Any help is appreciated, I'm feeling pretty rotten these days and the legwork is daunting. Thanks for any input,
Tim
Posts: 52 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Tim,
What is your work background?
Did you work for a LARGE STATE, FEDERAL, or serve in our ACTIVE US MILITARY FORCES?
These 3 groups have the BEST RX COVERAGE over all the other plans! Continue being on your former employer's coverage!!!
KEEP THE LETTER THEY SEND YOU SAYING YOUR INSURANCE IS EQUAL TO OR BETTER THAN MEDICARE RX PLAN! Make 2 copies: put 1 in lock box as it states what the price would be out of pocket! Later if your employer drops you, you buy at the cost quoted vs. paying 1% MORE PER MONTH from the time you were notified of your being dropped!
If YES, ask your former employee about this! If you went on retirement benefits under their GROUP insurance policy, you will be covered as my husband & I are under his STATE RETIREE plan.
Also talk to a SHIIP rep in your area; these are volunteers who explain things in depth to you. Most hospitals have these folks.
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Thanks for the info. Betty, I'm still young, so I'm on SSDI. I was screwed by my long term disability company (UNUM) through my employer and the best I could do was settle out of court. In doing so I relinquished all benefits by my former employer.
Funny that I was approved by the Feds for SSDI the first time without an attorney within four months. UNUM/Provident should be added to the "axis of evil" but that is another story.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I have way too many assets to qualify for Medicaid. So, thanks to Joe's link I figured out the best thing to do is enter in a bunch of meds and see what my best options are through the Medicare website.
I can then call the companies directly to make sure they allow ABX treatment for a diagnosis of LD. Thanks again,
Tim
Posts: 52 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Hi Tim, I'm in a similar position. Not eligible for medicaid, extra help, medigap.
If I'm not mistaken enrolling in a Medicare part D plan is NOT manditory. (You WILL be penalized if you change your mind down the road though.)
For me, it would cost 4 or 5 times what I'm paying now for meds if I were to take a part D plan.
Around $37.00/month, $250 deductible, 25% of the prescription cost from $250 - $2250. All before it goes to 100% for short time. That total is around $1200.00 (much more than a month's benefit, for me)
Additionally, if you are in one of these plans you would be ineligible for any patient assistance programs (providing they don't all dry up, now).
I'm willing to take my chances and see what happens down the road. There's no way this will benefit me as it is.
I'm sorry but this is a hot button issue for me. I feel it's extortion. I'm being forced to spend down what little money I have. All the while not even being able to afford somewhere to live. Really not fair!
I do hope you find some answers that work for you. Good Luck and if you do find something really good could you let me know? thanks
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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