She thought she had some kind of contact dermatitis and was using a cream from her doctor to treat it. It got a little better, but, it persisted. So she went back to the doc and he decided it might be more of a cellulitis than thought. That was cellulitis and not cellulite. Big Difference. So that was an honest assessment, with the methodology, to do the least most invasive method and proceed from there. Basically, do no harm. With someone elderly that is a very good idea.
She got a prescription of erythromycin (generic) 500 by mouth twice daily, first dose now and he sends the order to her pharmacy over the net.
Okay, so she goes to pay for it and it was $63.43. She was astounded. It wasn't as though she couldn't pay for it, but, get real here. She didn't want to take the medicine and was going to call the doctor about it. She is 77 and going to be 78 in January, but, she is feisty. She is very courageous. So, she was going to give the doctor a piece of her mind knowing what the prescription cost under Part D Medicare.
The Pharmacist stated she should have a seat and he would call the doctor as it seemed as though he was not listed with Part D Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The MD had his practice partner look at the chart and the medication was then ordered with a physician that did already have Part D listing. Evidently, the doctor my mother saw was new to the practice and she has seen his partner before.
So, after that was all straighten out the prescription cost $15.00 co-pay. Better, but, I told her I thought that was still to high for a generic.
A couple of things happened with that drug. The CASH price was $215.69. The price with a physician not listed with Part D Medicare was $63.43 and the price with a physician listed with Part D Medicare was $15.00.
I am outraged. A generic should never cost $215.69. Then to realize a 77 year old woman isn't given the same price within Part D as her cohort with an MD listed on the plan is discrimination. The participants in Part D Medicare should never have to worry about getting the best price in their co-pay within the plan they have chosen EVER. I mean NEVER.
The cash price is outrageous. Rarely do consumers ever check the cash price when they pick up a medication, but, simply pay their co-pay. They figure the insurance will take care of the rest so why should they worry about it. That cash price and the difference in co-pay must be a write off for someone, either the pharmacy, the supplier, the pharmacist or all three.
How is it that a generic drug that has been on the market for decades costs $216.69? That is some of the most exploitative practices I have ever heard of and then people want to know why their premiums go up.
If the federal legislature doesn't do something about this exploitation to extend the Medicare benefits then they aren't doing their job. Americans should never have to suffer such financial issues because a doctor doesn't want to participate and why is it they are in practice without being listed with Part D? They aren't filling the prescriptions. Some kind of kick-back for writing the prescription when not listed with Part D that is higher than if they are listed? That is ridiculous.
There are a lot of disincentives for the elderly to stay home and not go to a doctor and they all need to be improved!
She got a prescription of erythromycin (generic) 500 by mouth twice daily, first dose now and he sends the order to her pharmacy over the net.
Okay, so she goes to pay for it and it was $63.43. She was astounded. It wasn't as though she couldn't pay for it, but, get real here. She didn't want to take the medicine and was going to call the doctor about it. She is 77 and going to be 78 in January, but, she is feisty. She is very courageous. So, she was going to give the doctor a piece of her mind knowing what the prescription cost under Part D Medicare.
The Pharmacist stated she should have a seat and he would call the doctor as it seemed as though he was not listed with Part D Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The MD had his practice partner look at the chart and the medication was then ordered with a physician that did already have Part D listing. Evidently, the doctor my mother saw was new to the practice and she has seen his partner before.
So, after that was all straighten out the prescription cost $15.00 co-pay. Better, but, I told her I thought that was still to high for a generic.
A couple of things happened with that drug. The CASH price was $215.69. The price with a physician not listed with Part D Medicare was $63.43 and the price with a physician listed with Part D Medicare was $15.00.
I am outraged. A generic should never cost $215.69. Then to realize a 77 year old woman isn't given the same price within Part D as her cohort with an MD listed on the plan is discrimination. The participants in Part D Medicare should never have to worry about getting the best price in their co-pay within the plan they have chosen EVER. I mean NEVER.
The cash price is outrageous. Rarely do consumers ever check the cash price when they pick up a medication, but, simply pay their co-pay. They figure the insurance will take care of the rest so why should they worry about it. That cash price and the difference in co-pay must be a write off for someone, either the pharmacy, the supplier, the pharmacist or all three.
How is it that a generic drug that has been on the market for decades costs $216.69? That is some of the most exploitative practices I have ever heard of and then people want to know why their premiums go up.
If the federal legislature doesn't do something about this exploitation to extend the Medicare benefits then they aren't doing their job. Americans should never have to suffer such financial issues because a doctor doesn't want to participate and why is it they are in practice without being listed with Part D? They aren't filling the prescriptions. Some kind of kick-back for writing the prescription when not listed with Part D that is higher than if they are listed? That is ridiculous.
There are a lot of disincentives for the elderly to stay home and not go to a doctor and they all need to be improved!
