Complexity of Purchasing Prescription Medications

[harllee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut It's only for a handful of very expensive drugs for which there are no generics. That is my understanding.

My DH takes one of these drugs and he has to pay over $8000 per year (using his Medicare Part D). Overall it will be a huge savings to Medicare recipients.

[target2019]

Certainly not a brag, but after group health insurance my co-pay has gone from $5 to $3230. Monthly. I'm in the deciding stage on that.

It reminds me of the "$7,000 for an aircraft coffee maker."
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packar...coffee%20maker.

Put lobyists in a city with elected officials? Follow the money, friends.

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastWest Gal It’s at least a start. Don’t let perfect get in the way of good.

I'm not arguing against it. I'm saying don't expect your next Rx for Pretenda to be significantly cheaper.

[orchid55]

Are the Part D companies going to eat the higher costs or will premiums be substantially raised?

[harllee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchid55 Are the Part D companies going to eat the higher costs or will premiums be substantially raised?

For the drugs that Medicare will negotiate the lower rates I think that the drug manufacturers will have to absorb the higher costs. Every other insurer negotiates drug costs, Medicare will finally be able to do it. Of course it is only going to be the 10 most expensive drugs at first. I doubt this will affect Part D premiums.

[Telly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover From my link:

travelover, thanks for posting again... I missed the hypertext link up in your post #77. This is the first time I have seen any real details on what "letting Medicare negotiate drug costs" actually meant as part of the bill.

[travelover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly travelover, thanks for posting again... I missed the hypertext link up in your post #77. This is the first time I have seen any real details on what "letting Medicare negotiate drug costs" actually meant as part of the bill.

Yeah, it is not as good as it could be, but the crooks in suits own a lot of Congress.

[target2019]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut It's only for a handful of very expensive drugs for which there are no generics. That is my understanding.

I think it would be better to assume one won't be in the group who benefit from the legislation in a significant way. If you do benefit, that is great.

When I look at the KFF graphic, it seems a slippery slope to count on this as part of your plan. Sure, there will be perks, but it doesn't "fix" the problem. Also note this legislation is not signed.

Source: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-b...beneficiaries/

[azxracer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybeard I ran across this today and was shocked at the cost of drugs using Cost Plus Drugs! https://www.cnet.com/personal-financ...-how-it-works/

Not sure what you mean with this. The few things I've looked at and compared to thru my Part D plan, offer significant savings. I take generic Bystolic and my Part D charges $168 for 90 day supply (it's not on the formulary and doesn't count against the yearly deductible) . Cost Plus Drugs charges $11 (plus $4 shipping) for a 90 day supply

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by target2019 I think it would be better to assume one won't be in the group who benefit from the legislation in a significant way. If you do benefit, that is great. When I look at the KFF graphic, it seems a slippery slope to count on this as part of your plan. Sure, there will be perks, but it doesn't "fix" the problem. Also note this legislation is not signed. Source: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-b...beneficiaries/

Devil's in the details, but that seems like a very odd way to go about it. I fear any sort of cost-control/price-fixing will just have the drug companies doing an end around. Squeeze a balloon, and it pops out somewhere else. I sure hope some good comes from it, but color me skeptical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover Yeah, it is not as good as it could be, but the crooks in suits own a lot of Congress.

It takes two to tango. It's rather disingenuous to talk about the crooks 'owning Congress', without also mentioning that Congress has put themselves up for sale.

If I offer a bribe to a good cop, I end up in jail. As it should be. This "owning" can't happen without a willing partner.

-ERD50

[teej1985]

Quote:

Originally Posted by target2019 I think it would be better to assume one won't be in the group who benefit from the legislation in a significant way. If you do benefit, that is great. When I look at the KFF graphic, it seems a slippery slope to count on this as part of your plan. Sure, there will be perks, but it doesn't "fix" the problem. Also note this legislation is not signed. Source: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-b...beneficiaries/

Does the "eliminate vaccines cost sharing for Part D" solve the Shringix issue people have had?

[harllee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by teej1985 Does the "eliminate vaccines cost sharing for Part D" solve the Shringix issue people have had?

It should, I was reading some background on the bill and the Shingles vaccine was mentioned as one of the main reasons for the change on Part D payment for vaccines. Maybe more people will get the Shingles vaccine now. I know some people who told me they could not get Shingrix because of the cost.

[target2019]

Quote:

Originally Posted by teej1985 Does the "eliminate vaccines cost sharing for Part D" solve the Shringix issue people have had?

TBH, I'm not holding my breath for any of this.

I may get a Shingrix shot. I'm not gonna let the cost get in the way once I decide.

My mother had shingles bad, maybe two or three times.

[harllee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by target2019 TBH, I'm not holding my breath for any of this. I may get a Shingrix shot. I'm not gonna let the cost get in the way once I decide. My mother had shingles bad, maybe two or three times.

For sure, get the Shingles shot as soon as you can. I had an awful case of Shingles at age 50, you definitely do not want it.

[Graybeard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azxracer Not sure what you mean with this. The few things I've looked at and compared to thru my Part D plan, offer significant savings. I take generic Bystolic and my Part D charges $168 for 90 day supply (it's not on the formulary and doesn't count against the yearly deductible) . Cost Plus Drugs charges $11 (plus $4 shipping) for a 90 day supply

THAT is exactly what I meant. In the examples given, Cost plus are significantly cheaper.