These are just some of the many responses we received
from our
Editorial of
01/04/06
- Caregiver Resolutions
There was the
time I spent going through all the materials and
attending workshops. Throughout the house there were
stacks of Part D materials: The stack of newly
received Part D mail to be sorted. The stack of Part
D correspondence to be read. The stack of Part D
materials that needed further processing etc, etc,
etc.
There was the
time I spent trying to understand all of the options
and carefully evaluated the choices. The time I
spent explaining the choices to each of my parents.
Also, let’s not forget the hold-time on the phone
and the time to complete each application. In my
caregiver situation, my parents each have different
retirement plans, which sent them each several
mailings, along with all the other new offerings and
the scams, and the “you might be our next million
dollar grand prize winner” packets. The latter
correspondence drew the most discussion, given that
I was just throwing a million dollars right in the
garbage.
I did
accidentally discard the real application for my
dad’s new Medi-Gap coverage. You see, concurrently,
his previous employer was terminating his retirement
Medicare gap insurance and he needed to apply for
new coverage. However, I thought it was just more
Part-D propaganda and threw it in the garbage. This
caused me to take a half-day off from work to
straighten out and (without exaggeration) a
continuous hour and 45 minutes on hold on the phone,
not including the time on the phone resolving this
problem.
There was also
the time spent redirecting them not to complete yet
another Part-D policy application (that came in the
mail today). I believe, although not verified, that
my parents now each have multiple Part-D policies,
at a monthly premium cost higher than their monthly
income.
Aside from the
time noted above, thanks to Part-D, I actually spent
a lot of quality time with my parents. During this
Part D holiday season we laughed and spent a lot of
time together. I gained insight and reflected on our
relationship. It was for me one of the best holiday
seasons.
A.F.
Enrolling online
is far easier than having to decipher the handbook.
You can plug in your state and then the list of
medications whoever is enrolling is on, and it will
kick out the plans in your state that cover those
specific meds.
Maybe you
already knew that, though. So many eligible people
(especially senior citizens) are saying that they
simply aren't going to do it because it is so
overwhelming for them. I have MS and co-manage an
MS support site online, and I'm seeing the same
response from many MSers. Sad that the people that
are least able to deal with stress and cognitive
problems are frightened away.
The program just
might work, though-once they get the wrinkles ironed
out. There are some ridiculous rules, though. One
example is Avonex, which is an interferon injection
used to slow the progression of MS. It will be
covered by some insurers, but the injection must be
given in a doctor's office....so patients who have
been self injecting for years now have to find
transportation to a clinic. Many of these people no
longer drive, are on fixed incomes, and are
wheelchair bound. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
Okay, that's my
rant. Lol I’m so glad my husband is military, so I
don't have to play this game...except for the people
I'm helping with it.
M.G.
This year both
my mom and mother-in-law looked to me for help in
filling out their applications for the Medicare part
D benefits. They both moved in with us this past
year, and have very different financial situations.
I looked to the local senior services, and found
them to be very helpful - both of my moms now have
their prescription cards and we will soon be filling
their next Rx and hope that the benefits of Senior
Care Plus wraparound plans they were assigned to are
not much different!
K.S.
My husband is 53
years old and totally disabled with Multiple
Sclerosis. He is also a diabetic….He has been on
Medicare for since 2000 (since you have to wait 2
years before you can get on Medicare after you are
disabled!). Currently he has Medicare as his
primary coverage with BC/BS as his secondary. With
the BC/BS he has a prescription card. We have
reviewed many of the programs. It seems that when
the new Medicare prescription plan was put in to
place, no one thought of the disabled Americans
under 65! The BC/BS plan that he currently has
covers all of his medications except for the
BetaSeron that he takes for the MS (which is very
expensive – around $1,000/month). We do have to pay
a co-pay for the rest of his medications.
Currently, he is able to get the Betaseron at a much
reduced cost through the drug company’s foundation.
However, we have
learned that this will be discontinued as of March –
because of the new Medicare prescription drug
program. As I stated we have reviewed many plans –
yes, they do cover some of the Betaseron – but not
very much of it.
We would still
be responsible for a majority of the cost. We have
calculated every which way and the amount that he
gets through SS disability does not nearly cover the
costs for his health insurance, Medicare
prescription drug program and his co pay on the
drugs. As I said, he is unable to work – I am the
sole provider for our family. Cannot even consider
working more than one job. I am his primary
caregiver!! Once I get home from my day job – I go
straight to my care giving role!
There are not
enough hours in the day. My husband and I have
talked and talked and cannot figure out a way for
him to be able to afford to continue with the
Betaseron after March – so he will more than likely
have to stop taking it. This upsets us both as the
MS progression slowed down tremendously when he
started taking it. But what do we do????? I just
wish someone had thought about the disabled
Americans under 65!!!!!!!
M.L.
Hello! I am a
39 year old (40 in two weeks!) middle daughter of 5
children. Both parents are alive at 73 (dad) 74
(mom) and although only one child lives out of state
the rest of us do the best we can to assist mom and
dad. Our family vehicle stopped in 1978 and we
never got another one so one of the things we have
done is shuttle service!
My family story
is a lot longer than that but I also have "adopted"
our elderly neighbor (70) who is currently in a
rehab center with liver cancer. Have known him
since 1996 and have seen his decline.
Anyway, mom has
an insurance man who is helping her with her
Medicare and as I had several questions as mom is on
lots of meds she assured me he has helped her with
her decision. Dad should be on meds but doesn't and
has never taken necessary prescriptions except for 2
years ago when he was hit by a truck walking to the
store (and survived!) as he was in ICU for many
days.
I read this
newsletter when it comes on my email; I have thought
about emailing sooner but today had to!I loved your
poem!
My experience to
share is that I find how horrifically sad it is that
the elderly had to fight so hard for a break, but it
is still very confusing. Medicine is providing us
to live longer but at what costs? If you cannot
afford to eat how in the world can you afford your
meds? I tried to get the insurance guys number but
mom wouldn't give it to me. I just wanted to make
sure she got all she could! It will be interesting
to see how this works out!
Thanks again for
the site and for reading my email! Have an amazing
year!
B.L.
