General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA hideous example of the state of 'health care' in AmeriKa (GOD DAMN this shit)
Mom is 86 years old. Every year around April or May she falls into the "doughnut hole" of her Medicare Part D coverage. Just ONE of her prescriptions costs well over $300 for a ONE month's supply. After she hits the "doughnut hole", she has to pay out of pocket. CAN YOU IMAGINE paying that much for ONE prescription when you're on a fixed income? Just ONE of them.
She can get the same Rx from Canada - a THREE MONTH supply for half that amount (around $145). That's what she had been doing (with her doctor's OK) each year when she hits the "doughnut hole" to save money.
So...this time, she goes to the Canadian pharmacy again to get her Rx filled. This time, Bank of America stopped the charge. She called to find out why. They told her they were concerned the card was being used to buy 'contraband'. So, she switched to her bank card. Same result. (this has been going on for over a week and she's ALREADY been that long without the meds she needs to help her breathe - she has asthma). Bank told her to notify them ahead of time and they'd allow the charge for 24 hours. So she did that. Placed the order again...
THIS TIME, the Canadian pharmacy calls her and tells her they can send her one Rx but NOT the other one. For the OTHER one (the one she needs most), she has to send a CHECK to an address in TX.
She had ordered from this same pharmacy before. She used the same credit card before.
But NOW. SUDDENLY. It's an issue with the bank or cc company. Or, it's an issue with the pharmacy -- for ONE of the prescriptions.
Meanwhile, she will be without the meds she needs for over a month by the time this is over. ALL SO SHE CAN GET THE SAME MEDICATION FROM CANADA at half price.
Here's the goddamned bottom line on this shit:
1. NO ONE - particularly an almost-blind asthmatic 86-year-old - should have to go through this shit to get affordable medications that they NEED.
2. WHAT THE SAM FUCK is going on here? WHY all of a sudden are banks balking at charges she made before - and why does this pharmacy SUDDENLY tell her she can pay for one of the prescriptions with her cc -- but NOT the other one?
EXCUSE ME?
She's beside herself with worry about this and SO frustrated with it. Can you imagine having to deal with this shit at 86, almost blind and without meds you need to breathe because the GODDAMNED pharmaceutical psychopaths who WROTE MEDICARE PART D want to rip old people off and thus those in the "doughnut hole" (or frankly even those not in it) can't even get affordable meds they NEED?
THEN having to deal with who knows what fucking criminal online pharmacy in CANADA and the GODDAMNED banks and credit card companies JERKING you around on top of it all?
Holy PSYCHOPATHS, Batman.
I'm ready to CHOKE somebody and so is she. Yet - there is NOTHING I can do except watch her in tears trying to simply GET. THE. MEDICATIONS. SHE. NEEDS.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Triana
(22,666 posts)My mom will be long gone by then.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)but it is coming down much more slowly for generics (now at 79%).
I don't understand the whole issue she is having with the Canadian pharmacies.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)We could have had Universal Single Payer HC, but people in both parties wanted to help their buddies in Big Pharma make a ton of money.
bread_and_roses
(6,335 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)Last year and again this year around April or May, my husband has fallen into the 'donut hole' and can not get the meds he needs.
For two, it is well over six hundred dollars per one month supply.
He either does without them or if he is lucky, his Doctor might have some samples, which does NOT get him through til the end of the yr.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)being phased in at this rate.
xtraxritical
(3,576 posts)Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)"Obamacare" doesn't even address this.
magellan
(13,257 posts)Healthcare in this country is a joke if you can't afford it, and so many can't. Including my husband, who has a pre-existing condition. We couldn't afford the PPI pool -- $400/mo -- so he is still without coverage and no medical help.
I'm trying to keep an open mind about the ACA, but I'm pretty sure it'll force us to be out of pocket a lot of money each month for insurance we won't be able to afford to use because of the deductible.
I tell our British relatives about our system. The stories give them nightmares.
There are a lot of us together in this misery.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)I've had a plan that Obama might consider "cadillac" for a few years, but I pay a couple of thousand out of pocket every year. Of course, I can afford it, but I know people with worse plans, who make much less, and they struggle every year. ACA is a horribly named bill. At best it is affordable insurance, but the underlying care is still very expensive. One indicator will be to see if there is any real change in the medical bankruptcy rate in this country. Massachusetts with Romneycare hasn't make much of a dent in the rate.
magellan
(13,257 posts)...that he won't be able to afford to use between the deductible and co-pays. He needs biopsies; without insurance we were charged a discount rate of $800 per biopsy, and just paying off one nearly destroyed us. We couldn't afford another two. I'm sure these biopsies will be more expensive under insurance, which will leave us in the same boat till we hit the deductible.
Medical bankruptcy or untreated illness...hell of a choice.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)The encouraging news is that when you have SOME of these policies, even when paying out of pocket, you're paying the "insurance rate". It can be quite "low" as compared to a "walk in" or "retail" rate. It's still expensive, but it is often the lowest rate they will charge. Of course it depends upon which company you're with. If you have a choice, you might look for the largest insurer in the area. Alternately, an insurer connected with a major hospital chain in the area is another possibility.
magellan
(13,257 posts)We were with them until 2007 when we couldn't afford their premium increases anymore -- big annual increases even though we never used the policy.
It's helpful to know the cost for procedures is generally lower under insurance. I'm definitely keeping an open mind about all this until we see what's available; then I'll start the number-crunching and research. Worst case scenario would be that it makes better financial sense to take the fine, at least for the first year. It goes without saying that I'd prefer my husband have access to care.
I appreciate your input.
MuseRider
(34,111 posts)Health care is a mess, I will grant you that, but WTF? So are we headed to having to ask BOA if we want to buy something on our card and have to wait until they approve it? I don't get it. When did this start? Glad we got away from BOA several years ago.
On to your mother, I am so very sorry. That is wrong, the entire thing is wrong. Good luck getting this sorted out.
Triana
(22,666 posts)BOTH gave the same excuse. WTF do they expect these poor old folks to DO?
She used the same card(s) before to purchase from the same pharmacy. Suddenly it's an issue. Why?
Has there been a 'crackdown' on poor grannies buying their meds from Canada because they can't afford them when in the doughnut hole?
Her bank told her to call ahead of time - tell them the charge will be placed - they will allow it for 24 hours. After that, she has to call (she's not on internet - can't even see very well) to order the Rx. Then, they pull this "well we can send you THIS one but not THAT one -- for THAT one you have to send us a CHECK" bullshit.
So now she has to write a check, mail it to TX (?) and WAIT for the goddamned Rx to be delivered - IF it is ever delivered, though she's dealt w/ them before and they were fine.
It's just bullshit.
MuseRider
(34,111 posts)I would be damned if I would ever call my bank and ask them to let me buy my medicine.
Of course being older it is much harder to move your money and deal with all of this.
The entire thing is odd. Since when did you have to jump through hoops to use your own money to buy your own drugs ordered for you by your own doctor? Insurance companies are bad enough but now you need approval from the bank?
I am sorry you and she are dealing with this. It is not right and should not be happening.
Triana
(22,666 posts)if they can't suitably explain this to her ie: WHY - particularly when it wasn't an issue before.
It is absolutely BULLSHIT.
MuseRider
(34,111 posts)Let us know what happens please? This could be any of us, some sooner than later and I hate to think it would come to this.
kickysnana
(3,908 posts)I tried opening a new credit union account online. Here is some information I had to provide (among other things) - my employer - how much money I make every month - social security # - State drivers license # and date issued and expiration date -
After doing all that, IT STILL WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH. They sent me an email telling me that in order to open the account, I would need to physically come in to a branch to confirm my identity, and they wanted this: Drivers license, social security card - Another piece of ID, such as a credit card - AND a recent utility or water bill.
This Patriot Act nonsense has become utterly ridiculous. (The online application process had "Patriot Act" on top in bold when they asked for all that info)
Sheesh.
freedom fighter jh
(1,782 posts)What happened next may have to do with my particular credit union, I don't know.
I just kept calling different people and insisting that I should be able to open an account online, and finally I found someone who let me do it. The big sacrifices were that I had to take a pic of my driver's license and e-mail it in, and also I had to print and sign some form and mail it in. No prob.
In some ways I love my credit union. I mostly love that I am not supporting an institution that screws people out of their homes. And I do appreciate that, unlike the bank I used to use, the credit union is not looking for places to charge me fees. But no one there really seems to know the rules; every person I ask gives me a different answer on every question. I run a small business and I have both a personal account and a business account at the credit union. I wanted an easy way to transfer my profits from business to personal. One person told me I'd have to mail myself checks from my business into my personal account! Then on the credit union's website I saw that you can set up your account to make transfers online to totally unrelated institutions. So why not to a different account at the very same credit union? I called a different person there and she set it up for me.
So credit unions kinda take a lot of patience but the people are very nice and your money is supporting a good cause. And they don't try to rip you off.
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)The government is hassling doctors for doing this, and even for writing the prescriptions. And now they are jumping the banks to get them to stop payments.
Under federal regulations, banks are not supposed to be aiding criminal transactions. That's why it is not just BofA.
And yes, in today's US of A, the OP's mother is a criminal for trying to get the medicine she needs to stay alive.
October
(3,363 posts)I am so sorry about our Mom. Healthcare in this country just sucks.
I'm chiming in to add that my husband told me UPS just paid a whopping fine for this kind of shipping from Canada (pharmaceuticals). I gathered from that that the US is cracking down on its citizens trying to buy affordable meds.
http://www.digtriad.com/economy/article/277632/248/UPS-Fined-40-Million-In-Online-Pharmacies-Investigation
WTF is wrong with this country?
Progressive dog
(6,905 posts)that did not require prescriptions according to the article. It has nothing to do with affordability.
Triana
(22,666 posts)...or those not listed with CIPA. This one requires prescriptions and is listed with CIPA.
While the FDA in general frowns on people ordering Rx from outside the US - it is said to be allowed if it's for personal use, and no more than a 90-day supply. Maybe it isn't allowed anymore. But they agreed to fill one of them and not the other. It just makes no sense.
EDIT:
Another thing - this article about UPS being fined mentions "controlled substances" and pharmacies that ship them to consumers without a Rx. Advair isn't a controlled substance. Controlled substances are opiates, painkillers and such. And as I mentioned the pharmacy she uses requires prescriptions.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)The corporate megalomaniacs--who've usurped our media, our politics, AND our global economy--view members of the Hoi Polloi as potentially profitable resources--IF we're younger and marginally educated (know enough to be factory fodder or service industry drones). We elderly, over-educated folk are expendable. And, to paraphrase the sociopathic mother of one of the worst sociopaths to sit in the Oval Office, they don't soil their beautiful minds with thoughts about fragile, vulnerable old people like us.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Many of these banks use the same fraud prevention companies to block charges deemed fraudulent.
I have recently been having some trouble with my cards being refused as well for purchases, one of which was tmobile of all people....
Once the fraud company deems a merchant fraudulent you cant pay them with a card. Which bends me all out of shape as well especially when its a huge corporation like Tmobile they are flaging.
Sorry to hear of your moms troubles. We still have a lot of work to do on healthcare.
snot
(10,530 posts)they're controlled by the same few people who control too much of everything else.
They don't need to prove anyone guilty of anything, in order to throttle them financially.
(And the Fed is owned and controlled by the big banks, in case you didn't know.)
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)The government is cracking down hard on the banks to prevent them from forwarding these payments.
I assume the government is doing this because the pharm cos are complaining to the government.
I'm very worried about this for my husband's sake - he is buying unaffordable meds through CA too.
Fuddnik
(8,846 posts)I agree, health care is totally fucked up in this country. And, if I could I'd leave it in a minute.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)Drop BoA
LuvNewcastle
(16,846 posts)Also, you can buy credit cards now at Wal-Mart. I'm sure other stores sell them too. They work like pay-by-the-minute phone cards. When you buy the card, you load it with however much money you want for your amount of 'credit.' You can use them on the internet or anywhere else. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all sell them. That's how I would pay for the meds.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Too bad you do not know anyone in Canada who will pay for her script and have her repay that person.
One of my sons reports he has been getting his meds from...India!
For a long time now.
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)and let them know. We bought a couple of large items online and the retailer recommended we call our credit card company (not BOA) before they ran the number, just to let them know. The CC company said yep, that would have raised a red flag for us; thanks for letting us know.
It's shitty.
Mika
(17,751 posts)Of course, nothing is "free". Cubans are poor, materialistically. But, they're secure in their health care.
ALL of them.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)Will they not accept American money orders? Or an American personal check? An American cashier's check?
Can you arrange to open a Canadian bank account online somehow?
What about wiring it Western Union?
Triana
(22,666 posts)that for ONE of the prescriptions (but not the other one) (?!)- she has to mail them a check. That'll take God knows how long. She's already been out of her meds for 2 weeks.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Be glad to share that info with you or other DU'ers.
Triana
(22,666 posts)Advair Diskus - the damn stuff is $300+/month here. You can get 3 months for $145 in Canada. <---this is the issue. If the damned greedy-ass drug companies can sell it cheaper in Canada, why are they gouging old people here for it?
I HATE those dirtbags and I dread getting older in this goddamned country. It's going to be a nightmare.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)If they have asthma meds. If so, i will give you the info.
In any event,I will post the phone number and name of the company here later today for anyone who has diabetes.
I can't retrieve the info right now - spouse is asleep and turning on the light would wake him
Triana
(22,666 posts)truedelphi
(32,324 posts)In case yoou know someone with diabetes. Same quality test strips and other supplies as my spouse ysed to pay twice as much for:
Total Diabetes Supply
1080 Holland Drive # 3
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Toll Free: (877) 977 - 7709
Fax: (800) 931 - 1915
Email: customer-service@totaldiabetessupply.com
Customer Service Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm E.S.T
Sat & Sun: Closed
Triana
(22,666 posts)abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Look for a prepaid credit card that can be used outside the country. Use that card to purchase Canadian prescription. That was what my elderly aunt did to get around similar donut hole situation last year.
So sorry you have to deal with this. Best of luck!
B Calm
(28,762 posts)kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)in optimum health so I hopefully won't need any of these freaking obscenely expensive meds.
Jeebus H Christ. I am so ashamed to be an American sometimes.
decrepittex
(53 posts)You can escape old age only one way. With old age comes problems that will probably mandate the use of some of the obscenely expensive drugs. Rest assured the politicians in DC have coverage and couldn't give a flying fuck about you or me.
October
(3,363 posts)Welcome to DU, btw.
I am old enough to remember when hospitals cared for patients, not the bottom line. Now, they advertise, compete for your "business," have marbled entryways, etc.
And the bastards in Congress vote for their own raises, benefits, healthcare, etc. It's beyond disgusting.
brett_jv
(1,245 posts)So it's not strictly accurate to say that they 'vote for their own raises'.
Their raises occur automatically, in part because it would seem untoward for them to be voting to set their own salaries, even though the Constitution orders just that.
It was also set up that way in exchange for the critters no longer taking money for doing things many citizens felt should be given free (i.e. honorariums) like collecting 'speaking fees' while in office. IOW they used to be able to make money for giving talks and such while in office, but, because the public generally looked down on that (but of course Congress still felt 'entitled' to that extra money), they voted to do away with that practice in exchange for regularly-scheduled pay-rate increases.
So while in a sense Congress 'voteD' for their pay raises, that was done many years ago, and few of those presently in Congress actually voted for the current automatic pay-hike setup.
They CAN, however, vote to NOT give themselves their automatic pay raise, and have, in fact, refused to take a raise every year since 2009.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)secondwind
(16,903 posts)ellennelle
(614 posts)horrifying story, and why should we be surprised when the banks are now in the business of charging working people to use their own pay?
but that's another story (i'm sure you've heard about it).
your mother's problem is BofA. and i would assume any big bank would offer the same headaches.
well, then; what i would recommend is she move her money, out of BofA to a local credit union. they issue debit/CC cards.
now, i'm assuming this will work, but then i don't confront what your mother does, so i can't know for sure. but, worth a try.
best of luck on this, and on her health in general.
NJCher
(35,687 posts)Thank doG you're there for her.
I'm PofA for an elderly relative who has a sizable account at Bank of America. The first time they gave me grief, I ripped the account right out and put it into a community bank. Then I sent the BofA rep I was dealing with a copy of the total I'd removed from their "bank" and said, "Look what your bureaucratic ways have cost you."
The aggravation was because of the way a letter from her doctor was phrased. They wanted it worded in a certain way and since it cost me over a hundred to have the letter written in the first place, I told them I wasn't dealing with them anymore and they weren't getting a revision to suit their fancy.
Quite frankly, though, knowing what dicks they are, I was just waiting for an excuse to kick them to the curb.
I'd like to say it was satisfying, but they could have cared less.
Cher
Samantha
(9,314 posts)and I feel pretty confident in saying that what your mother is experiencing is the just influence of Big Pharma. They absolutely do not want Americans to be able to purchase drugs from Canada Drug. At one point a few years ago, maybe 3 or 4, someone very familiar with this situation (I cannot say who) told me Canada Drugs was worried that the U.S. Government was getting ready to pass a bill making it illegal for Americans to purchase drugs there. So much for free trade.
But the straw that broke the camel's back for me was when CVS kept increasing the price of my BP medicine. Every month, I would go back and it would be higher. It went in just a few months from under $100 (maybe $89) to, with increases in about 3 months, $150. I looked at them and said this just a gouge. I am not doing business with you any more. The woman behind the pharmacy counter said my doctor had prescribed a drug for which there was no generic and they were not responsible for the increases, but the manufacturer was. In that particular situation, I do not know who was actually responsible. But I called several pharmacies and found out that this particular medicine did not have a generic available in the United States. I called Canada Drugs and asked if it had a generic. They answered yes. The price was $49. So I asked why a generic was not available here, and the rep told me a generic was available almost everywhere except in the United States.
Another time my doctor wrote a prescription, the dosage for which was different than the dosage I had been getting. The pharmacist at Canada Drugs wanted to make sure the new dosage was correct because it was substantially a lot more medicine getting into my system than before. He asked did I mind having the doctor call me. So I called the physician's office to give her his number and ask her to call and confirm the dosage. I was stunned when she told me doctor's are forbidden by the FDA to communicate with Canada Drugs. I was furious. I resolved the problem in a less than desirable manner, but I still get angry when I think about how the pharmaceutical companies can actually control where we do business for drugs and how it can influence the U.S. Government to assist in the matter.
Good luck to you. I hope you find a solution to this problem. It just is not right your Mom has to go through this.
Sam
Triana
(22,666 posts)to keep generics off the market in the US and I'd bet the damned greedy Big Pharma bastards are behind this, too.
GOD I hate these people.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)and how exactly does the FDA have the authority to forbid US doctors to communicate with Canada Drug personnel? Big Pharma has been fond of saying Americans should pay more because most medical research is done here in the United States, and this is the Country that can afford to pay more for prescriptions to help fund research.
That is an incredibly false statement. Medical personnel in Canada have stepped out and said it does a lot of medical research as well (paid for by the Government) and many other countries do as well.
It is just about the money and how much these pharmaceutical companies can bleed Americans as many of our legislators look the other way. They of course get large contributions from them at election time.
Sam
mbperrin
(7,672 posts)Insurance companies out of the health "business".
We have several elderly tenants in the same circumstance, so we drive to Mexico (less than 4 hours from here) and have their meds filled for about 75% less than they cost here.
Thinking positive thoughts that you will come across a workable solution for your mom.
Single-payer, including our govt. negotiating drug prices, would stop all this. GingrichCare won't.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)Got to appease the investors.
This is what you want and this is what Wall St supporters allow you to get.
allinthegame
(132 posts)I bought heavily from Canadian Pharmacies when taking breast cancer drugs. I had a run of four years using and now I buy my mother's expensive drugs from there. Citibank and/or Chase have never put a hit on the card. B of A is clearly messing with you.
Triana
(22,666 posts)F*ck this shit.
mrmpa
(4,033 posts)I understand what you are going through. My 83 year old mother lives with me. Her income allows her to be covered by the State, in PA it's called Pace (very low income) and Pace-Net (moderate income). My mom gets pace-net, but it is a bear to maneuver through. You can only get prescriptions for 30 days and she has to pay about $20 a month for the pace-net (considered insurance coverage).
She was budgeting about $100 a month for prescriptions. But I went through every prescription, found the costs for each, and the pharmacies that had these medications (generic) for $10 for a 3 month supply. I was finally able to get her to budget $100 every 3 month versus monthly, for a savings of $800 a year. Some of the prescriptions she has have gone up in cost but, I will not allow her to use her Pace-Net because they will tack on the $20 for each month prior to the prescription being filled For example, if she used Pace-Net for the first time this month, they would charge her for January through June + July.
I personally am uninsured and on 7 prescriptions. I go to Costco because I find them to be the cheapest for me.
Below is a link to Costco's drug prices.
http://www2.costco.com/Pharmacy/DrugInformation.aspx?p=1
Triana
(22,666 posts)That works out to $4.76 a piece? Is that right?
mrmpa
(4,033 posts)It's the Advair Diskus , right? That's what it would be. Also do a web search for "prescription discounts" or drug discounts and print one of the cards up. These cards can give you a hefty discount on your prescription. Costco & other pharmacies will give you the discounted price when you show them the card. I used to have my mom use one for her vicodin prescription, the cost went from $52 down to $18.
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)My daughter found she could get one of her prescriptions filled there for a THIRD of the Costco price. Target seems to have good prices on generics.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)DebJ
(7,699 posts)What about Western Union? Though my bank gets funky when I try to use my debit card to do a Western Union
online. But you could withdraw cash and then pay the WU in cash.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)Utter bullshit.
Feeling supremely anti-patriotic today. What kind of third-rate shithole country treats its citizens like this?
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)The government enables these thieves. We had "HOPE" that this sort of thing would end. Our hopes were dashed.
ctsnowman
(1,903 posts)MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)People come in for a pulmonary test, and as an asthma educator, I also make sure they comply with how to take their meds.
But the primary reason people take what is a "BID" (twice) daily medicine ONCE is because they'd run out of it. It's the damned same reason. I had one person the other day show me (proudly) his Canadian version of the drug, but apparently, he's gonna have a problem and of course, the banking process, which happily launders blood money, won't recognize that people will travel elsewhere to get a better deal.
If the international trade laws (being shaped by fascists) have their way, there will be no other alternative method to turn to.
THIS is patient care? Tell me now why we SHOULDN'T have gone with single payer???
And, big pharma just rakes it in... keeps rolling along....
Maineman
(854 posts)And, corporations pretty much own the US Supreme Court, at least 4 or 5 of the Justices, as well as various agencies. Politicians from both parties, but only about 100% of Republicans.
I am beginning to think we need an Egyptian type action by about 50,000,000 people.
Triana
(22,666 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)It will be closed in about 6 or 7 years, I think.
Gives Big Pharma time to deep-six generics and conspire with Insurance to raise prices.
Thanks for the clarification.
TBF
(32,067 posts)I went in one month w/a new script for my hypertension med. I only had a week on the old prescription & wanted to fill it when I had time. First they said "well your insurance company isn't going to allow this because you are not out of the med yet." So I replied "this is a generic prescription, $4.00, and my insurance company has absolutely nothing to do with it. Even if they did I might prefer to pay for it out of pocket - did that ever cross your mind?" The head pharmacist came over to apologize and quickly filled the prescription. Don't let them give you this bullshit - especially when it's low level employees who make assumptions without asking questions.
With Bank of America I would not be so kind - those criminals are probably in collusion with the pharmaceutical companies.
galileoreloaded
(2,571 posts)Reserve requirements for fractional banking have been zero for some time, and the Fed literally pays them to borrow.
It's all about the fees.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)greiner3
(5,214 posts)However, it was from my credit union and it was their policy NOT to pay for ANY charges from another company!?
I switched credit unions and their was NO problem with the payment.
Since my most expensive drug, and the only one I take now went generic, I no longer use that, or any, Canadian drug 'store'.
But I will use that system if I get another expensive script, which I anticipate since I am 57 yo.
Maineman
(854 posts)Pardon me for saying this, but I am 69 and take no meds - because of what I do not eat and do not drink, and several carefully chosen supplements. There are books to read, articles on line, numerous resources to help people avoid the semi-poison, chemically enhanced crap that is called food.
IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)Some do not have access, some do not have interest, and some are past the point where they can survive without the medications they have become dependent upon.
The lack of physician education about nutritional needs of human beings is simply staggering; this thread seems to be mainly about the lack of support for the things people are told by their physicians they need to live.
Phentex
(16,334 posts)my dh is extremely fit and eats better than most people. He runs marathons, he works out. He lives on superfoods not crap. His blood pressure is great.
Still, high cholesterol runs in his family. He despises taking any medicines but diet alone was not enough to keep the bad part down. With just a tiny amount he has the good number up and the bad number down.
Meanwhile, I eat pretty well but I am not as disciplined as he is. I hate oatmeal. My numbers are fine and I don't take anything. But there aren't any medals given out just for not having to take a pill!
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)But there are healthy ways to make it more palatable, which I found because every person I've ever known over 100 and in good shape eats it. You can easily make your own granola and only use good stuff like a little honey and nuts, etc. You can bake with oatmeal. Even cooked the usual way, it ain't half bad if you add a little vanilla and spices and fruit. Try almond milk instead of regular. Most of all, when you once get used to it, oatmeal becomes less gruesome than before.
Of course I started out with good genes and a fairly simple, active way of life, but at 69 I have no aches or pains and according to everyone I look a good quarter century younger than I am. When I visited my son's high school one time, a teacher caught me in the hall w/o a pass and sent me to the principal's office! I guess my gleeful cackling made her think I was also high on something. But I was 39, and she gave me such joy. Of course the long hair, radical tee shirt, shorts and sandals - plus my full 5 feet of height - probably threw her off a little.
In the end it all boils down to one thing: eat your oatmeal. Some day you'll thank me for it. Oh, and slather it on your face, too. Great for the skin. Alternate with Sharon Stone's favorite facial, plain old vegetable lard.
Phentex
(16,334 posts)I just don't want it for breakfast. By the time I remember it as a snack, I reach for something else. I love granola on yogurt and I LOVE oatmeal cookies.
But for breakfast I want some kind of non-sweet protein.
Steel cut oats, oat bran, etc. I have heard the praises sung before. Is that why there's sometimes a baby on the box? Is that supposed to be what you turn into?
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)And consequently live long enough, you just might forget why you used to hate it. I forget a lot already.
Which reminds me of the only funny Alzheimer's joke I know, and it's okay because of my own ethnicity: If I ever do get Alzheimer's, it'll probably be the Irish kind, where you forget everything except the grudges.
Anyway, you can always eat breakfast at dinner. That's another good life plan, to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and dinner like a pauper.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)How about purchasing a pre-paid cash card from Canada (as if you were going to travel there or something)?
You could buy an Amex gift card or something possibly which may bypass the BS.
Just a thought.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)I have a senior citizen mom who struggles with the "doughnut hole" as well.
If a bank denying one's purchases isn't illegal, it should be. Talk about an authoritarian privacy violation.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)This is WRONG
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"A hideous example of the state of 'health care' in AmeriKa (GOD DAMN this shit)
Mom is 86 years old. Every year around April or May she falls into the "doughnut hole" of her Medicare Part D coverage. Just ONE of her prescriptions costs well over $300 for a ONE month's supply. After she hits the "doughnut hole", she has to pay out of pocket. CAN YOU IMAGINE paying that much for ONE prescription when you're on a fixed income? Just ONE of them."
...this is happening under Medicare. The donut hole was one of the biggest health care scams ever.
Krugman, 2005
By PAUL KRUGMAN
There was a brief flurry of outrage when Congress passed the 2003 Medicare bill. The news media reported on the scandalous vote in the House of Representatives: Republican leaders violated parliamentary procedure, twisted arms and perhaps engaged in bribery to persuade skeptical lawmakers to change their votes in a session literally held in the dead of night.
Later, the media reported on another scandal: it turned out that the administration had deceived Congress about the bill's likely cost.
But the real scandal is what's in the legislation. It's an object lesson in how special interests hold America's health care system hostage.
The new Medicare law subsidizes private health plans, which have repeatedly failed to deliver promised cost savings. It creates an unnecessary layer of middlemen by requiring that the drug benefit be administered by private insurers. The biggest giveaway is to Big Pharma: the law specifically prohibits Medicare from using its purchasing power to negotiate lower drug prices.
Outside the United States, almost every government bargains over drug prices. And it works: the Congressional Budget Office says that foreign drug prices are 35 to 55 percent below U.S. levels. Even within the United States, Veterans Affairs is able to negotiate discounts of 50 percent or more, far larger than those the Medicare actuary expects the elderly to receive under the new plan.
- more -
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/06/opinion/06krugman.html
I wish I could offer some advice. Here's a chart about drug prices.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022586434
The best to your Mom.
Stargazer99
(2,585 posts)She worked for minimum wage, had seen a doctor but could not complete paying the bill, so she did not incur more medical debt by not seeing a doctor. If she had had the proper medication a fifteen year old daughter would still have her mother. I work at low-wage so could not help pay the doctor bills unless I did not pay the rent, electric or something else which was required to exist.
This is what happens when people only care about themselves. The middleclass ignores the heartache low-income workers deal with at their risk....because they are next....and some have already tasted the "next" part
I take no pride in this country because the well-off have destroyed any moral high ground this nation could have claimed
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Thank the Gods your Mom has your help. My heart goes out to those who have no family to help.
So unfair our Elders are put through this horrible stressfull experience.
Call around to medicare and medicade. They do have programs where all medication shouldn't cost anything.Also your local church may have medication or other cost assistance programs. The pharm. companies have RX assistance programs. Get Mom registered for your local meals on wheels. It's really nice for every elder to have a regular decent meal delivered.
Every elder needs an advocate like you are, to make it through todays frustrating system.
WestSeattle2
(1,730 posts)and asked that they force the banks that were bailed out with taxpayer money, to deny approvals for foreign pharmaceutical purchases. The result would be forcing American's to pay outrageously high US pharma prices, or go without.
Join a credit union or buy a pre-paid Visa card.
TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)Have you and your mom looked into assistance from the manufacturer? There are often copay assistance and even free medication available directly from the producers. Sometimes being on a government health plan will exclude but not always so it might be worth looking into. These programs aren't always promoted and often reps are restricted from mentioning them unless the patient expresses need but they can be beneficial.
Anyone with commercial coverage that is struggling with medication costs should definitely ask for help with the cost of their medications directly from the producer.
It looks like Glaxo does have programs like this http://www.gskforyou.com/patient-assistance-programs/drugslist.html
Maybe your mom can get some help without having to deal with going through Canada at all. One of the programs even specifically says it covers part D patients but income and spending come into play.
Triana
(22,666 posts)I gave her the number to call GSK. Will see what they say.
TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)annabanana
(52,791 posts)cruel and unusual punishment.
airplaneman
(1,239 posts)fleur-de-lisa
(14,627 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Although I'm sure many folks suffer the same awful mess. Please keep us posted as to how your mom's doing. I wish everyone the best.
koiwoman53
(22 posts)Triana:
If you have a community health center in your region that has a 340B pharmacy your mom can get her meds at a discounted cost (even if she is not a patient) if she is being seen by a provider there her discount would be greater. I dont know what state you are in so would reccomend you check out the link here: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx and see where the closest one might be. I see it everyday it is a travesty.
hope this helps.
Triana
(22,666 posts)BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)until the meds come in?
Triana
(22,666 posts)She seemed to think that for this particular drug, she couldn't. I wish she'd ask though.
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)Get on her HIPA form and you can be of great service and know what the heck is happening to your mom.
Triana
(22,666 posts)I live across the country. She lives with brother and near sister. Sister ought to be doing it but that's another whole issue unto itself.