EDIT-New info-First failure of the new Medicare Drug "benefit".

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: ericlp
Much of the roughly $11 billion in cuts over five years proposed by the Senate for Medicaid, a health care program for the poor that many elderly use to pay nursing home costs, were recommended by state governors. They contend the program is becoming burdensome for the states, which must come up with money to match federal funding. Democrats have portrayed the reduction in the growth of Medicaid spending as dire, but even liberal analysts concede they are not severe. One provision would increase co-payments from $3 to $5, and another would allow elderly nursing home residents to shield $750,000 in home equity, raised from $500,000 after Republican moderates objected.

"It's less about the magnitude and more about why should you be asking poor people to pay anything more for health care at the same time that you're giving brand-new tax cuts to the most fortunate," Furman said. "That is what is just completely wrong with this picture.

Hmmm, tell me this isn't a failure?

Just an FYI. Someone on medicaid can ask for a carton if cigarettes, then say they dont want to pay the copay, and the pharmacy has to take the loss and give them their meds. They don't get that money. They are legally obliged to take the loss, which is a substantial loss of profit.

Medicaid copayments are completely optional. It will probably be that way with medicare, causing substantial losses for pharmacies. It will probably be the death of the independent. Ought to be interesting.

 

[Shuxclams]

how much to buy the medication. 367.00 for a month!

That is 'new car' payment. That is a new AMD Opteron 150 Venus each month. A new Geforce 7800GT each month, thats groceries for a whole month. That is what it costs to stay alive each month........for 10 years of service at a grocery store.








SHUX

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: zendari

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Medical services are just too vital to run on a for profit basis.

Why are we in so much trouble with the budgit---and the only major industrialised nation to
have such a for profit plan?------is this telling us something?

On the contrary. Something done for profit is something done well.

Two days into the new year and we already have the winner for The Most Idiotic Post of the Year Award.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: zendari

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Medical services are just too vital to run on a for profit basis.

Why are we in so much trouble with the budget---and the only major industrialized nation to have such a for profit plan?------is this telling us something?

On the contrary. Something done for profit is something done well.

But of course, as the Rich Republicans say on a constant basis, you have lots of money, you get your medical drugs and live, your poor, you must die.

There are your two choices in the new Republican America, enjoy.

 

[Thump553]

Originally posted by: zendari
A company is upgrading a computer system and has some downtime? Ohnoes, who would have thought?

One of the most pitiful zendari responses yet. It shows both a total absence of compassion, social responsibility and a total disregard for the welfare of your fellow human beings.

Regardless of your political bent the situation outlined by the original poster is intolerable. If the government decides to go into the Rx business, they should do it right. Computer glitches bringing down the whole system are acceptable for game servers but are not acceptable for critical medical services.

Basing vital medical services on the lowest bidder/highest political donater system may not be an ideal situation.

I've had some experience with the new health care system. My father is 84 years old. We four siblings (a CPA, lawyer, corporate VP/engineer and bank officer) each read through the reams of material sent out by the government. It was 90% superfluous fluff and no real substance. Only after consulting with his current medical insurer could we even have a concept of what to do.

We were not alone in our confusion. I know a lawyer who SPECIALIZES in elder law, who is also stymied by what to do for her mother.

If trained professionals, conversant in this field, don't undrstand the system, what chance does the average grandma have?

Face it, Bush has fosted upon us an expensive, broken system that is designed 60% as an insurance industry subsidy, 38% as a vote getter, and 2% substance.

 

[piasabird]

Well if I were depending on medicare maybe i would have purchased some medications before the last day of the month, Duh????

Where is your planning and research?

When we get ready to switch plans at work I go to my doctor and upgrade my prescriptions and buy medication ahead of time. I dont stand like a deer in the headlights and wait for the Mack Truck to run into me!

Try finding another pharmacy. K-mart does 90-day prescriptions.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: techs
But now he had to sign up for the Medicare drug plan. I worked in health insurance for years but could not figure out which plan was the best. I hope we made the right choice.

What I find difficult to believe is that you couldn't figure this out. If you "worked in health insurance" it should have been a walk in the park. My wife helped several elderly neighbors by going to the website, inputting their current prescriptions and finding the best provider for them. Another thing you fail to mention is that this was not mandantory. They could have opted out; even if only for a few months to let things shake out. It might have cost them a dollar or two more but maybe not. Some that the wife helped did so because they saw no real benefit compared to what they had. I know this was not an easy task for some seniors to do but, at least around here, there were free seminars all over the place to explain the various coverages, etc.
Crying out that the plan was a failure "ON THE FIRST DAY THE PLAN IS IN EFFECT" is just a sad attempt to sensationalize and trash something you don't agree with. I'm not a huge supporter of the program as it was written either but I still think the jury is out on this. There are a great many that are seeing at least some benefit. Some do not though.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: catnap1972

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
I guess I don't see how this is a failure in the Drug Benefit Plan. The pharmacy was updating their computers. What does that have to do with the new Medicare plan?

Should they or should they not have been prepared for this (before it took effect)? They've only known about it for months

Well of course they should have been ready. But this sounds like a failure at the pharmacy, not a failure of the drug plan.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: catnap1972

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
I guess I don't see how this is a failure in the Drug Benefit Plan. The pharmacy was updating their computers. What does that have to do with the new Medicare plan?

Should they or should they not have been prepared for this (before it took effect)? They've only known about it for months

Well of course they should have been ready. But this sounds like a failure at the pharmacy, not a failure of the drug plan.

Jesus Christ on a bike. It isn't the pharmacy!!!! The pharmacy's computers bill the insurance companies WHO WERE NOT READY. There IS nothing to update at pharmacy level, and I ought to know, because this is what I do.

 

[owensdj]

I didn't have any problems picking Medicare drug plans for my parents. As someone else said, all you have to do is tell the Medicare site what drugs you take and it will sort the plans by how much you'll spend over the course of the year. I also calculated the amount spent manually to be sure.

There were no problems talking to a real person at the insurance company and getting enrollment forms very quickly, but I decided to do the enrollment online. No problems with that either. They both received their membership cards weeks ahead of time. Everything worked fine when they used their cards for the first time yesterday.

I can see how people who don't have computer and Internet access might have trouble picking a plan on their own, but I think most pharmacies will pick a plan for you if you tell them the drugs you take.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: catnap1972

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
I guess I don't see how this is a failure in the Drug Benefit Plan. The pharmacy was updating their computers. What does that have to do with the new Medicare plan?

Should they or should they not have been prepared for this (before it took effect)? They've only known about it for months

Well of course they should have been ready. But this sounds like a failure at the pharmacy, not a failure of the drug plan.

It doesn't matter when you take down your computers, you're going to have downtime. Should this scenario have occured 2 months ago to make the lefties happy?

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: techs
Not saying its a complete failure. Just pointing out the first of many failures of a fatally flawed plan.

OK, so you've made a good point - the gov't plan is a mess. So is the solution even more gov't involvement? I'd hope not.

 

[techs]

See the new edit at the beginning.

 

[SMOKE20]

Hmm, took both my parents in yesterday here in MO to a local, small town pharmacy.........each have several prescriptions, the pharmiscist told us we would be better off financially now getting 90 day supplies of all their meds so we did. All filled, all taken care of in less than an hour! The cost was exactly as the information described.

Guess the problems are sporadic..........

Edited for spelling............

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: zendari
A company is upgrading a computer system and has some downtime? Ohnoes, who would have thought?

We had a spot on the local news last night that in order to jump thru all the hoops, pharmisitis wer on the phone up to an hour to fill just one percription.

More Bush "conservative compassion" at work. Idiots, you have idiots on your team Zentroll.

 

[EatSpam]

The pharmacist, the social worker both say the Medicare drug plan was done in the absolute worst way possible.

But, I'm sure the big pharma companies have already cashed their big fat checks.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: techs
EDIT for follow up:
Still no prescription filled. Went with the guy to Social Services. I was told by his worker that Vermont Medicaid is estimating that only 20 percent of prescriptions are being filled for Vermont Medicare and Medicaid recipients. No figures for people who only have Medicare drug coverage.

This is criminal. No other way to put it. P

People on Medicare and Medicaid are the least likely to be able to purchase their meds out of pocket in an emergency.

I am still trying to find out what is going on at his Medicare provider. Now the phone says we are experiencing higher than normal volume please call back. So there is no way to get thru to them. The pharmacist can't get thru on the number reserved fro pharmacists.
Finally got a call from Vermont Social Services. They set up an emergency plan to get life saving meds paid for out of state money. They will cover one month of meds. Unfortunately the pharmacist can't get thru to state Medicaid to get an authorization. He just gets a busy signal.
The pharmacist, the social worker both say the Medicare drug plan was done in the absolute worst way possible.

There's guy in my building, maybe 80 years old. He has been on disability his whole life. He is not the brightest guy, if you get my meaning. He can't drive. Nicest guy in the world. Despite being on disability he bagged groceries at the supermarket for 10 years.
At the beginning of every month I drive him to the drug store to fill his prescriptions.
He is also on Medicaid which charges him a co-payment of like 5 dollars per prescriptions.
But now he had to sign up for the Medicare drug plan. I worked in health insurance for years but could not figure out which plan was the best. I hope we made the right choice.
Anyway he couldn't get his prescription filled. Seems his new provider is doing a computer upgrade(?) on the FIRST DAY THE PLAN IS IN EFFECT (ok, the second day but yesterday everything was closed). Their recording says try back in a day or so.
A DAY OR SO? HE NEEDS THIS MEDICATION FOR A HEART PROBLEM.
We asked how much to buy the medication. 367.00 for a month!
Sorry no meds. Go home and die.
Anyway I am standing there thinking I have to pay for the meds. So I ask if I will get reimbursed. The pharmacist doesn't know, but he suspects not.
So before I pay the money I get an idea. We drive over to the health center he goes to. I know the director personally. She talks to a doctor and they give him a weeks supply from the freebies the doctors get.
Now I wonder if people have any recourse when their provider does not provide reasonable service? Is it to just change providers the next year? What about this year?

Why are you blabbering???

You've seen the Republicans response, your friend should just die so he is no longer sucking on the Government tit.

Only the rich that can afford high Medical costs deserve to live.

Get with the program mon

 

[alchemize]

Here you go - write your senators

Yea votes from Dems:
Baucus (D-MT)
Breaux (D-LA)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Wyden (D-OR)


Don't forget to drop Kerry a vote for not voting also...

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: zendari

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: catnap1972

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
I guess I don't see how this is a failure in the Drug Benefit Plan. The pharmacy was updating their computers. What does that have to do with the new Medicare plan?

Should they or should they not have been prepared for this (before it took effect)? They've only known about it for months

Well of course they should have been ready. But this sounds like a failure at the pharmacy, not a failure of the drug plan.

It doesn't matter when you take down your computers, you're going to have downtime. Should this scenario have occured 2 months ago to make the lefties happy?

You see there is this time called weekends and night when most people are not going to need to get prescriptions filled and then there is also this thing called back up servers so that when one goes down the other handles the load.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: alchemize
Here you go - write your senators

Yea votes from Dems:
Baucus (D-MT)
Breaux (D-LA)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Wyden (D-OR)


Don't forget to drop Kerry a vote for not voting also...

At least our assholes from Illinois didn't vote for it...

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: alchemize
Here you go - write your senators

Yea votes from Dems:
Baucus (D-MT)
Breaux (D-LA)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Wyden (D-OR)


Don't forget to drop Kerry a vote for not voting also...

At least our assholes from Illinois didn't vote for it...

Unbelievable. You are confusing the idea of the Medicare Drug plan with the law that implements it. The law is a failure. The plan sucks. I have yet to read anyone who doesn't think it was an ENORMOUS give away of money to the drug companies.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: alchemize
Here you go - write your senators

Yea votes from Dems:
Baucus (D-MT)
Breaux (D-LA)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Wyden (D-OR)


Don't forget to drop Kerry a vote for not voting also...

At least our assholes from Illinois didn't vote for it...

Unbelievable. You are confusing the idea of the Medicare Drug plan with the law that implements it. The law is a failure. The plan sucks. I have yet to read anyone who doesn't think it was an ENORMOUS give away of money to the drug companies.

Um, I know its a tremendous giveaway to the drug companies. I've been saying that since day one.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: alchemize
Here you go - write your senators

Yea votes from Dems:
Baucus (D-MT)
Breaux (D-LA)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Wyden (D-OR)


Don't forget to drop Kerry a vote for not voting also...

At least our assholes from Illinois didn't vote for it...

Unbelievable. You are confusing the idea of the Medicare Drug plan with the law that implements it. The law is a failure. The plan sucks. I have yet to read anyone who doesn't think it was an ENORMOUS give away of money to the drug companies.

Um, I know its a tremendous giveaway to the drug companies. I've been saying that since day one.

Cool, Drug Companies weren't making enough profit. More more more :thumbsup:

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Cool, Drug Companies weren't making enough profit. More more more :thumbsup:

Hey, we couldn't have the people complaining about getting their drugs cheaper from Canada, we had to do something???

 

[CaptnKirk]

So then, techs was right