Finally went to the clinic for my annual check up (move, depression)

[Chaofan]

There might be other supplemental or Medicare Advantage insurance that would reduce your copays. If your county or community has a senior center or other facility for assisting seniors, they may have someone who can help you find a better policy that covers your prescriptions. We have those here at the county level, and one of my neighbors volunteers there helping people choose insurance plans.


My supplemental plan works with Medicare and waives all deductibles and copays, so there are some good plans to be had, though the cost might be higher. My plan went up to $135/month this year, and I'm paying $348/month for Medicare part B, so your plans look quite reasonably priced from my perspective.

[meo92953]

Runs with scissors, When I moved I had to get Arizona insurance. I was unaware at the time, thought blue cross would just switch me. Then it took awhile for the new one to kick in & I wasn't sure of a clinic to go to. All the changes took time.

I've actually been on medicare since I was 61 when my disability claim went through. I was in a car accident & had to have back surgery.

A lot of it was just not knowing how to go about doing things & then, procrastinating about getting things done. My own fault. It wasn't until I had two bad blood pressure readings that I knew I had to get serious.

I now have 2 months to look into prescription costs. I just looked & 2 of my prescriptions are for 90 days & 1 is for 60 days - so I guess it wasn't so bad after all. It was just sticker shock.

I have to go in next week for blood tests & have bp re-checked to make sure the pills are working right. I forgot to ask about vit d. Will do it then.

[NYgal1542]

There is so much information regarding health insurance. It can be very confusing. Trying to compare, compare, compare. And in my situation, the same insurance company changes benefits/premiums according to the zip code you live in. So it's just not very consistent.

The one thing I keep hearing is that it's better to use a mail order pharmacy that is offered by your insurance company. Several people here where I live use it and the cost is considerably lower.

Just another bit of information to consider. Good luck Meo. You have a lot going on. Good luck.

[matisse12]

Originally Posted by NYgal1542

The one thing I keep hearing is that it's better to use a mail order pharmacy that is offered by your insurance company. Several people here where I live use it and the cost is considerably lower.

Yes, it is definitely advantageous to use the mail order pharmacy provided by one's insurance, or to use Walmart.com's mail order pharmacy.

Mail order shipping cost is always free. And all the re-ordering and managing of the prescriptions is easily done online. It arrives in the U.S. mail.

And one could also use Walmart.com's mail order pharmacy. Walmart.com's mail order pharmacy sells blood pressure medication for $4.00 per month for a 30 day supply, $10 per month for a 90 day supply. That is so inexpensive that one doesn't even charge the cost to one's insurance company, but just pay out-of-pocket instead.

And Walmart.com's mail order pharmacy also has many other medications, just like a regular pharmacy, but often at very low prices of the $4 or $10. Shipping is always free. You could get your depression medication through this too

One's physician electronically sends the first set of prescription slips directly to the mail order pharmacy. Or you can mail in your prescription slips.

[AZgarden]

Here in AZ it gets too hot to use mail order for meds, unless you get to the mailbox the minute the mail arrives. This is true in summer when the heat reaches 110 on some days.

[matisse12]

Originally Posted by AZgarden

Here in AZ it gets too hot to use mail order for meds, unless you get to the mailbox the minute the mail arrives. This is true in summer when the heat reaches 110 on some days.

But people who live in apartments often have indoor mail slots/boxes inside the building or in the lobby of the apartment building.
air-conditioned.

[AZgarden]

Not always.

[AZgarden]

Meo: Do you have a $150 deductible for prescriptions? If so, you have to pay that amount first, and then your drugs will be normal in price. (I looked up the plans available in your area.)

[meo92953]

Originally Posted by matisse12

But people who live in apartments have indoor mail slots/boxes in the lobby of the apartment building.
air-conditioned.

Ours are outside. Right now the pharmacy I used is in the clinic building & right across the street from my bank so, at this moment, it's a win-win for me convenience wise. The time frame also gives me low stress.

There is so much to take into account when moving to a new state! I've only lived outside Minnesota once & I didn't have a car, in San Francisco you really didn't need one, & I stayed with family until I was situated. Plus I was a lot younger.

Now there was social security, health care insurance, & car insurance to change, as well as getting to know state driving laws & other state information.

Next on the list is getting my taxes done. Thankfully there is help for low income & seniors. I didn't get a statement from the office here but in Minnesota there are rent credits so will receive something back from that. Not much, just a few $100, but every bit helps.

Hopefully, after that I can relax & start visiting the great outdoors I'm now living in.

One thing the NP (who's from Chicago) & I talked about, was that, just as there are winter hobbies when you're kept inside, just switch them to summer hobbies. Works for me.

[Windwalker2]

Originally Posted by Clemencia53

I tried the Vitamin D and it really upset my stomach. Hopefully we will be done with this gloomy weather by next week.

Try a different brand of Vit D