The first problem of the new Medicare Pharmacy benefit was its complexity. With much effort, this has been addressed although not totally solved. Seniors have signed up but now it is taking 60 days to get their cards and get the computers to accept the claims. The problem---they need pharmacy now in January and local pharmacies are telling folks that they need to pay cash and get reimbursed later. Many don't have the money.
This is a developing story. Some states have had Medicaid step in and pay for the pharmacy. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
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ReplyDeleteI would like to add a few facts about this program being as my wife has worked in a center in madison for the last few months helping people choose what program is best for them. First of all alot of fear out their, very sad and confusing time for seniors. My wife has taken calls from people trying to get information who started their call crying, very upset., To those who just wanted to call to yell and vent their frustrations with the program. However you should know, yes there has been quite a few problems with people getting their meds after the first of the year with the programs they joined, HOWEVER if they call 1-800-Medicare and let them know there is help. Alot of people are afraid, scared of what they maybe told. Another thing I want to tell you is this program is providing prescription drug coverage for people that have NEVER had it before, who before always had to find a way to pay for their own drugs. Some people pay very little. There are pitfalls in any program. This is a new program and it will take time to work out the kinks. Is it perfect No. Better than nothing, yes.I would encourage anyone who can't get their meds, to call 1-800-Medicare and tell them. They are there to help.ONE of the issues to is people were suppose to sign up by Dec 31st and quite a few did not, so medicaid dropped their prescription drug coverage Dec 31st, they had plenty of warning, starting in June they starting letting people know, some places earlier, there is going to be a change, you will need to choose a plan by Dec 31st, there are people that will help you. But people need to pick up the phone and call we can't do it for them.
ReplyDelete7:34 AM
7:37 AM
This is a lie Tammy Baldwin does not do anything
ReplyDeleteIn what sense?
ReplyDeleteIs it a fabricated story altogether and there is no crisis?
Or is there a crisis, but Tammy Baldwin isn't doing anything about it? Please elaborate.
ONCE again Slammer is just talking
ReplyDeleteI want to elaborate if Slammer won't. I have no doubt Tammy Baldwin's office is getting hundreds of calls a week regarding issues with the program. However alot of the issues are solvable if people would just call 1-800-medicare and tell us we would help.
ReplyDeleteAlot of these people are over 70 trying to figure this out. They are scared. We work hard to help them to understand just what is going on and what they need to do.
I have no doubt that Tammy Baldwin
is concerned, as are I sure other state reps who I have no doubt have gotten calls regarding this. But I can not stress enough if they call us we will help them figure something out. It does make it hard for those people who did not sign up by the Dec.31st deadline, because after the 31st deadline its taking company's about 3o days to process applications. ALSO when people enroll directly with the plans it takes longer to have active coverage than if they enroll through 1-800-medicare. When they enroll directly with plans the plans send out paper applications that have to be sent back and processed, where as we do everything online. ANOTHER thing to watch all for is WALMART has it mitts in the middle of this.
I will stop with the satire on the observer I will save that for my own blog. I will go into detail later on my own site. I will use the observer to give real feelings about issues facing our world today. Really though she is pretty useless. I actually met and I was nice, but as I will discuss later how not to with it she really is.
ReplyDeleteslammer, what is that thing you are posting on your posts, the picture thing.
ReplyDeleteIt' the "Macho Man" Randy Savage former WWF wrestler in the 80's and 90's. I met him in college, actually a very coincedental story. I played college baseball and every year we would go to Florida we had to raise our own money to go on the trip, beyond school and 10-20 hours of practice a week we also set-up and worked the WWF event at our college (Kind of like our story here). After a few of the wrestlers went over to one of the million bars around campus and he had a few with these guys some of the nicest people I have met. OOOOOH Yeah
ReplyDeleteI did post my reasons the Tammy Baldwin is useless. If I am wrong with any of my points or did not add something please let me know.
ReplyDeleteSlammer where did you post your comments? I don't see them.
ReplyDeleteOn his blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://liberalantagonist.blogspot.com/
I am afraid to go there.
ReplyDeleteI did end up going to his blog, and was surprised by how much better he explains some of his thoughts on his own site. However I still do not see what the issue is on Tammy Baldwin.
ReplyDeletedidn't you go to her site and look under Tammy in the news the last entry is 2004 it is now 2006
ReplyDelete