#prescription drug plan

[bozerfinancial]

Tired of hearing all the hype about Medicare plan benefits only to find out you are not qualified for those plans? Call (941) 315-5801 to get the facts. Our licensed agents will help you find the plan that is right for you in 2024. https://www.BozerFinancial.com

[nickbyrdmedicare]

Things you need to know about Medicare

Medicare offers free access to crucial screenings and preventative care, which aids people to stay healthy. A complimentary annual wellness exam is provided under Medicare Part B, along with yearly and recurrent tests for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, cervical, and prostate cancer, in men and breast cancer in women. Also included are flu vaccines. Additionally, the Part D program might assist in defraying the expense of expensive prescription medications.

[aliceoverzero]

Marcille: "Uhhh . . . I'm so hungry . . ."

Laios: "We should have waited until we were at the end of this maze to kill and eat the minotaur. Senshi, what do we have left?"

Senshi: "We're good on water due to that aquifer leaking into the maze, but otherwise all we have left is my spices and this unopened bottle of benadryl."

Laios: "Hmm . . ."

Marcille: "Laois, look at me. Benadryl isn't food."

Laios: "I know that, but what if we were to kill and eat the Hat Man?"

Chilchuck: "WHAT?"

Senshi: "What's the Hat Man?"

Marcille: *sighs* "It's a shared hallucination, generally induced by certain kinds of drug intake. Some mages have tried to study if it's real but were unable to prove that it stayed tangible or present after they sobered up."

Senshi: "So that benadryl would lure the Hat Man to us, and give us a chance to fight it? That will be tough. Sounds like we will have to kill, cook and eat it all before the medicine wears off if it will lose tangibility otherwise."

Laois: "That's it! If we need only one or two of us to kill the Hat Man, then the rest can be dosed up only right before the meal is done cooking."

Senshi: "There's one problem with that. Dwarves are basically immune to any tallmen drug that isn't prescription strength. I'll need half the bottle just to have enough time to eat the meal. Chilchuck, you'll be able to use it the most efficiently because of how little you weigh. I can make sure that the fire is ready, but you'll have to fight the Hat Man alone and dose Marcille afterwards to help you with the cooking prep. Laios and I shouldn't risk taking more than needed just to eat."

Chilchuck: "ARE YOU CRAZY?! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE HAT MAN IS REAL! And I don't do the fighting in this group! There's NO WAY that-"

Narrator: And so with their plan formulated, Chilchuck took a heavy dose of benadryl and prepared to fight the Hat Man in single combat.

Part 2

[emily-space]

What can we do about the soaring cost of prescription medicine?

Satish Srinivasan, CEO of DiRx, discusses the impact of soaring prescriptionmedicine costs and how DiRx is addressing this issue by offering affordablemedications directly from manufacturers and bypassing intermediaries. DiRx's modelhelps consumers save significantly on their prescriptions, making essential medicinesmore accessible to those in need.

[totalrx]

Prescription drug discount programs are a great way to save money on drugs. Lower your medical expenses and obtain the medications you require at a reasonable price!

[vaguelyhauntedcornfield]

I wish countless blessings upon the healthcare.gov agent i spoke to this morning that told me it was still possible to change plans and helped me switch to a new one as i had a breakdown over realizing the one i chose was actually crap bc id misunderstood commercial vs marketplace plans bc ive never insuranced before. Youre my favorite person ever

[alvisanders]

How Medigap Plans Can Help You Save Money On Prescription Drugs?

Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement plans, play a crucial role in helping individuals save money on prescription drugs. While Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) provides essential coverage for medical services, it does not cover most prescription medications. This coverage gap can result in significant out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries. 

Here's how Medigap plans can effectively contribute to cost savings on prescription drugs:

Coverage for Part B Drugs: Some Medigap plans in PA cover the coinsurance or copayments associated with Medicare Part B prescription drugs. These are medications that are typically administered in a clinical setting, such as injectable drugs. By covering a portion of the cost, Medigap plans reduce the financial burden on beneficiaries who rely on these essential medications.

Reduced Out-of-Pocket Costs: Original Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for a percentage of their prescription drug costs, which can quickly add up. Medigap plans help reduce these out-of-pocket expenses by covering a portion or all of the coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles associated with Medicare Part B drugs. This financial assistance is particularly valuable for individuals with chronic conditions that require ongoing medication.

Coverage for Part A Hospital Costs: In addition to Part B drugs, Medigap plans can also contribute to savings on prescription drugs administered during an inpatient hospital stay covered by Medicare Part A. By covering some of the associated costs, such as coinsurance or copayments, Medigap plans help beneficiaries manage their overall healthcare expenses, including prescription medications.

Access to a Wide Range of Prescription Drug Formularies: Some Medigap plans offer access to a wide range of prescription drug formularies. These formularies include lists of covered medications, and having access to a comprehensive formulary ensures that beneficiaries can choose the most cost-effective and medically appropriate medications. This can result in substantial savings, especially for those who require multiple medications.

Freedom to Choose Pharmacies: Medigap plans do not restrict beneficiaries to a specific network of pharmacies. This freedom to choose any pharmacy that accepts Medicare allows individuals to shop around for the best prices on their prescription medications. By comparing prices at different pharmacies, beneficiaries can save money on their monthly prescription drug costs.

Coverage for Excess Charges: Some Medigap plans provide coverage for Medicare Part B excess charges. While this is not directly related to prescription drugs, it contributes to overall cost savings by protecting beneficiaries from additional charges that may arise when healthcare providers do not accept the Medicare-approved amount. This financial protection extends to all aspects of Medicare-covered services, including prescription drug administration.

Stability in Prescription Drug Costs: Medigap plans provide stability in prescription drug costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses. Once beneficiaries reach the maximum limit determined by their Medigap plan, they can enjoy the remainder of the year with reduced or no out-of-pocket costs for covered services, including prescription drugs. This financial predictability is essential for individuals on fixed budgets.

Supplement to Medicare Part D: While Medigap plans themselves do not provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, they can complement Medicare Part D plans. Medicare Part D is a standalone prescription drug coverage plan, and beneficiaries can enroll in both a Medigap plan and a Part D plan to achieve comprehensive coverage for both medical services and prescription medications.

In conclusion, Medigap plans contribute significantly to cost savings on prescription drugs by covering various out-of-pocket expenses associated with both Medicare Part B drugs and inpatient hospital stays. The financial assistance provided by Medigap plans ensures that beneficiaries can access necessary medications without the burden of excessive costs, promoting better affordability and adherence to prescribed treatment plans.

[thoughtportal]

Opinion Here’s how to get free Paxlovid as many times as you need it

When the public health emergency around covid-19 ended, vaccines and treatments became commercial products, meaning companies could charge for them as they do other pharmaceuticals. Paxlovid, the highly effective antiviral pill that can prevent covid from becoming severe, now has a list price of nearly $1,400 for a five-day treatment course.

Thanks to an innovative agreement between the Biden administration and the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, Americans can still access the medication free or at very low cost through a program called Paxcess. The problem is that too few people — including pharmacists — are aware of it.

I learned of Paxcess only after readers wrote that pharmacies were charging them hundreds of dollars — or even the full list price — to fill their Paxlovid prescription. This shouldn’t be happening. A representative from Pfizer, which runs the program, explained to me that patients on Medicare and Medicaid or who are uninsured should get free Paxlovid. They need to sign up by going to paxlovid.iassist.com or by calling 877-219-7225. “We wanted to make enrollment as easy and as quick as possible,” the representative said.

Indeed, the process is straightforward. I clicked through the web form myself, and there are only three sets of information required. Patients first enter their name, date of birth and address. They then input their prescriber’s name and address and select their insurance type.

All this should take less than five minutes and can be done at home or at the pharmacy. A physician or pharmacist can fill it out on behalf of the patient, too. Importantly, this form does not ask for medical history, proof of a positive coronavirus test, income verification, citizenship status or other potentially sensitive and time-consuming information.

But there is one key requirement people need to be aware of: Patients must have a prescription for Paxlovid to start the enrollment process. It is not possible to pre-enroll. (Though, in a sense, people on Medicare or Medicaid are already pre-enrolled.)

Once the questionnaire is complete, the website generates a voucher within seconds. People can print it or email it themselves, and then they can exchange it for a free course of Paxlovid at most pharmacies.

Pfizer’s representative tells me that more than 57,000 pharmacies are contracted to participate in this program, including major chain drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens and large retail chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Costco. For those unable to go in person, a mail-order option is available, too.

The program works a little differently for patients with commercial insurance. Some insurance plans already cover Paxlovid without a co-pay. Anyone who is told there will be a charge should sign up for Paxcess, which would further bring down their co-pay and might even cover the entire cost.

Several readers have attested that Paxcess’s process was fast and seamless. I was also glad to learn that there is basically no limit to the number of times someone could use it. A person who contracts the coronavirus three times in a year could access Paxlovid free or at low cost each time.

Unfortunately, readers informed me of one major glitch: Though the Paxcess voucher is honored when presented, some pharmacies are not offering the program proactively. As a result, many patients are still being charged high co-pays even if they could have gotten the medication at no cost.

This is incredibly frustrating. However, after interviewing multiple people involved in the process, including representatives of major pharmacy chains and Biden administration officials, I believe everyone is sincere in trying to make things right. As we saw in the early days of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, it’s hard to get a new program off the ground. Policies that look good on paper run into multiple barriers during implementation.

Those involved are actively identifying and addressing these problems. For instance, a Walgreens representative explained to me that in addition to educating pharmacists and pharmacy techs about the program, the company learned it also had to make system changes to account for a different workflow. Normally, when pharmacists process a prescription, they inform patients of the co-pay and dispense the medication. But with Paxlovid, the system needs to stop them if there is a co-pay, so they can prompt patients to sign up for Paxcess.

Here is where patients and consumers must take a proactive role. That might not feel fair; after all, if someone is ill, people expect that the system will work to help them. But that’s not our reality. While pharmacies work to fix their system glitches, patients need to be their own best advocates. That means signing up for Paxcess as soon as they receive a Paxlovid prescription and helping spread the word so that others can get the antiviral at little or no cost, too.

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[six-of-ravens]

once again, universal healthcare saves the day

[theturning65advisor]

Get Medicare Prescription Drug Plan in Peoria & Surprise AZ

The Turning 65 Advisor provides expert guidance and support in choosing the right Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to meet your specific healthcare needs. Find affordable and comprehensive coverage options that fit your budget and lifestyle.

https://www.theturning65advisor.com/medicare-prescription-drug-plan/

[uncanny-tranny]

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is planning on changing their regulations for telehealth prescriptions of controlled substances. However, they have opened comments up for people to voice their opinions. You can submit a formal anonymous comment HERE. The comment period ends on March 31st, 2023.

This is an important issue for those who are prescribed controlled substances (e.g., testosterone or ADHD medication) through telehealth, which means it can and will impact trans people on testosterone and a ton of others if this goes through.

[dominateeye]

...In the suit, Faren asserts that she signed a severance agreement with ZeniMax, which stipulated that they’d provide her COBRA coverage (18 months of healthcare coverage after leaving the job) on the condition that she not file a discrimination lawsuit. This was allegedly after a year of transphobic aggressions in her workplace after she came out (which the company seems to admit, if they’ve asked her not to file a discrimination suit). Oh, and she says she was pressured to come out because her supervisor outed her on Slack during a meeting before she could talk to the team herself. Faren documented all of this through screenshots, recorded phone calls, and more. However, all of that isn’t even what the lawsuit is about. The suit is about what came next. ...

“In mid-June, Ms. Faren confirmed with Blue Cross and Blue Shield that she was still covered under the plan and scheduled her surgeries to take place in July. However, the coverage was retroactively terminated after the surgeries took place, leaving Plaintiff with hospital and doctor’s bills. Ms. Faren continued to be without health insurance until September 25, 2022, resulting in high priced prescription drug payments, as well as physician and hospital bills, many of which she was not aware of for months following services. ..." Even the most well-intentioned human resources departments don’t actually exist to help employees. They exist to protect the company from getting sued. That’s their main function. In Faren’s case, that happened in a straightforward way when her health coverage was held hostage so she wouldn’t file a discrimination lawsuit. But HR departments do this in more subtle ways, too. ...

[lookingforcactus]

A big cost and concern for many seniors in the U.S. is the price of prescription drugs and other healthcare expenses—and this year, thanks to The Inflation Reduction Act, their costs may go down dramatically, especially for patients fighting cancer or heart disease.

I learned about the new benefits because my ‘Medicare birthday’ is coming up in a couple months when I turn 65. I was shocked that there were so many positive changes being made, which I never heard about on the news.

Thousands of Americans on Medicare have been paying more than $14,000 a year for blood cancer drugs, more than $10,000 a year for ovarian cancer drugs, and more than $9,000 a year for breast cancer drugs, for instance.

That all changed beginning in 2023, after the Biden administration capped out-of-pocket prescriptions at $3,500—no matter what drugs were needed. And this year, in 2024, the cap for all Medicare out-of-pocket prescriptions went down to a maximum of $2,000.

“The American people won, and Big Pharma lost,” said President Biden in September 2022, after the legislation passed. “It’s going to be a godsend to many families.”

Another crucial medical necessity, the shingles vaccine, which many seniors skip because of the cost, is now free. Shingles is a painful rash with blisters, that can be followed by chronic pain, and other complications, for which there is no cure

In 2022, more than 2 million seniors paid between $100 and $200 for that vaccine, but starting last year, Medicare prescription drug plans dropped the cost for shots down to zero.

Another victory for consumers over Big Pharma affects anyone of any age who struggles with diabetes. The cost of life-saving insulin was capped at $35 a month [for people on Medicare].

Medicare is also lowering the costs of the premium for Part B—which covers outpatient visits to your doctors. 15 million Americans will save an average of $800 per year on health insurance costs, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Last year, for the first time in history, Medicare began using the leverage power of its large patient pool to negotiate fair prices for drugs. Medicare is no longer accepting whatever drug prices that pharmaceutical companies demand.

Negotiations began on ten of the most widely used and expensive drugs.

Among the ten drugs selected for Medicare drug price negotiation were Eliquis, used by 3.7 million Americans and Jardiance and Xarelto, each used by over a million people. The ten drugs account for the highest total spending in Medicare Part D prescription plans...

How are all these cost-savings being paid for?

The government is able to pay for these benefits by making sure the biggest corporations in America are paying their fair share of federal taxes.

In 2020, for instance, dozens of American companies on the Fortune 500 list who made $40 billion in profit paid zero in federal taxes.

Starting in 2023, U.S. corporations are required to pay a minimum corporate tax of 15 percent. The Inflation Reduction Act created the CAMT, which imposed the 15% minimum tax on the adjusted financial statement income of any corporation with average income that exceeds $1 billion.

For years, Americans have decried the rising costs of health care—but in the last three years, there are plenty of positive developments.

-via Good News Network, February 25, 2024

[houstonindependent123]

New to Medicare Insurance | Houston Independent Insurance

Are you New to Medicare Insurance? Our Houston Independent Insurance can help you find the best Medicare Insurance for you. We offer a wide range of plans from different providers, so you can find the one that fits your needs. We also have a team of experts who can answer your questions and help you make the best decision for your coverage. Get started today!

[vebasolutions]

What Do We Need to Know About Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association?

VEBA, or Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association, brings multiple benefits to help employees provide long-term healthcare support. With all other additional benefits, it is reliable to support you after retirement. As a beneficiary, you and your dependents can get the necessary financial support for life, accidents, sickness, and more.

What do We Need to Know?

All we need to know about choosing a reliable VEBA organization. So that you can get a prescription drug plan for retired employees and other medical benefits. Individual public sectors and unions run these organisations. The IRS sets specific criteria to become a VEBA organisation, and some of them are:

 It should be a voluntary association for employees to get enrolled. 

The trust should be liable to provide payments for sickness, life, accidents, and other similar cases. The dependents and beneficiaries should also be covered under a plan. 

The earnings might not benefit any shareholder or private individual except the beneficiary. 

An employee should have a sponsored health plan by the employer to become eligible for VEBA and HRA. The employer contributes the total fund on behalf of the employees. So, this comes with a lot of necessary benefits along the way.    

Someone with a VEBA account can manage their medical expenses after retirement. Your spouse and dependents can use this fund to pay any medical expenses during or after retirement. While the paired VEBA account with HSA has some usage limitations, the best Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) can help you provide all the necessary information. 

Conclusion

After retirement, people may face many financial challenges and medical expenses. So, the VEBA is your healthcare savings plan to provide you and your dependents with lifelong protection. We are known for maintaining strong strategic relationships with our retirees, clients, and National carrier partners. 

To know more, contact the best VEBA consultants today!

[alvisanders]

How Medigap Plans Can Help You Save Money on Prescription Drugs?

Medigap plans in PA  assist in reducing prescription drug costs by covering copayments and coinsurance related to Medicare Part B drugs. Some plans also include coverage during the Part D coverage gap. Medigap can enhance financial predictability, ensuring seniors pay less out-of-pocket for necessary medications. By mitigating these expenses, individuals with Medigap coverage can enjoy significant savings on prescription drugs.