Well my retirement is going to be a bit less luxe than I thought. In 2019 I was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. Exact same crap that killed my dad 20 years ago. Fortunately the treatments have vastly improved in the last 5 years or so, and for now I'm doing fine.
These treatment drugs are breathtakingly expensive -- THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS a MONTH, for a couple of pills a day. For the last 6 months I've been taking them "for free," because my doc's office set me up with "copay cards" from the pharma co's that paid 100% of the cost. Not even any copay. BUT the cards only work with private insurance. Next month I turn 65 and, as far as I've been able to tell, you're forced to go on Medicare at 65. Part D plans cover 95% of drugs, which is great for most people. But 5% of $30k is $1500 a month. So my Medicare/drug costs will work out to roughly $300 premiums, $1500 out of pocket for the 5%, and $3600/yr to get to the "catastrophic" 95% coverage level -- total of about $2100 per month out of pocket. That will put a dent in the beer-money budget.
There are grants and assistance programs available, but you basically have to be destitute to qualify. My Social Security alone will pay more than you're allowed to make. So since I've done the "right thing" and saved for retirement, I get whacked with these drug costs. Which is still better than being broke enough to qualify for aid.
I really can't complain. Much. This is a much better alternative than my dad had. But it's pretty annoying that Medicare is $600 more than BCBS, and I won't benefit from the "cheap insurance for retirees" that is supposed to ease your golden years.
Of course, it would be a lot MORE annoying if these solid-gold drugs weren't available, and I was looking at a 6-12 month survival time, sooo... I'll quit whining now.
Any insights or brilliant suggestions, other than "suck it up, buttercup" and "getting old ain't for sissies" ??
These treatment drugs are breathtakingly expensive -- THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS a MONTH, for a couple of pills a day. For the last 6 months I've been taking them "for free," because my doc's office set me up with "copay cards" from the pharma co's that paid 100% of the cost. Not even any copay. BUT the cards only work with private insurance. Next month I turn 65 and, as far as I've been able to tell, you're forced to go on Medicare at 65. Part D plans cover 95% of drugs, which is great for most people. But 5% of $30k is $1500 a month. So my Medicare/drug costs will work out to roughly $300 premiums, $1500 out of pocket for the 5%, and $3600/yr to get to the "catastrophic" 95% coverage level -- total of about $2100 per month out of pocket. That will put a dent in the beer-money budget.
There are grants and assistance programs available, but you basically have to be destitute to qualify. My Social Security alone will pay more than you're allowed to make. So since I've done the "right thing" and saved for retirement, I get whacked with these drug costs. Which is still better than being broke enough to qualify for aid.
I really can't complain. Much. This is a much better alternative than my dad had. But it's pretty annoying that Medicare is $600 more than BCBS, and I won't benefit from the "cheap insurance for retirees" that is supposed to ease your golden years.
Of course, it would be a lot MORE annoying if these solid-gold drugs weren't available, and I was looking at a 6-12 month survival time, sooo... I'll quit whining now.
Any insights or brilliant suggestions, other than "suck it up, buttercup" and "getting old ain't for sissies" ??