?? for those of you on SSDI

[anonymous]

I have recently gotten to be on ssdi so after 24 months I will be able to go onto medicare. Do any of you know how much you pay for medication once you are on medicare? Do they pay for any medication? I am really starting to get nervous about this. I don't know how I will pay for ALL the medication I am on.

Any help would be great - Thank you in advance.

 

[JazzysMom]

Medicare itself does not pay for meds. If you are eligible/interested in the new programs that go along with the Medicare Prescription reform, your local pharmacy should have info. I use Eckerds Pharmacy & they have info. I dont think its such a deal because you are paying quite a bit out of your pocket & it might not cover what you need. I dont know what meds it actually covers because I havent needed it. I personally would recommend getting a policy through AARP (it applies to those on Disability eligible for Medicare, not just Senior Citizens). The problem with this might be that depending on the Pharmacy, you might have to pay up front & seek reimbursement. Dishing out the $$ isnt always easy. You would also have to have the $$ to pay the premiums. AARP is not the only company, but since it is directed to Medicare eligible patients, it is your best bet if you want a prescription policy. Again tho your coverage of meds varies so be sure to find out what you can get before you do anything. There is also EPIC which is income based that might be able to help with your meds. Asking your social worker at your CF office is the best first step since every state varies with whats available. Some of the patients from my CF office deal only with the CF pharmacy, some deal with the manufacturers of some of the meds. There are resources out there. You just need to track down what might help "you"!

 

[anonymous]

Hi,
I have been on SSDI for 7 years now and Medicare for 5. Medicare does cover inhaled medications at 80% (i.e. pulmozyme) but not oral meds. I am not sure about injections, but I would guess not. I have a supplemental plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield that covers the 20% of inhaled meds that Medicare does not cover and oral medications, although it is expensive. I am not familiar with the new drug coverage plans for people on Medicare, I haven't looked into it because I am well covered with my current plans, and quite honestly, it seems very confusing! One plus to the coverage I have is everything is paid for directly by Medicare and the BC/BS supplemental; I don't have to pay first and then seek reimbursement. Good luck!

Kim
40 w/cf

 

[anonymous]

Thank you for your responses.

Kim - do you mind telling me what expensive is apporximately. I am getting very nervous about all this.

Thank You

 

[anonymous]

Hi,
I don't mind telling you at all: my BC/BS supplemental plan is $523/month. I'm sorry you are feeling stressed about this, I was the same way before I went on Medicare. If it is any consolation, I can say it is very good coverage, the only thing I pay out of pocket for are copays at the pharmacy for oral medications and if I am on something long term I can use a mail order pharmacy and it is a $15 copay for a 3 month supply. My out of pocket expenses are minimal. If you have any questions or would like to chat feel free to email knunnari@comcast.net. Good luck!

Kim
40 w/cf

 

[HollyCatheryn]

There are new drug coverage plans coming in 2006 to Medicare recipients. This will affect you because you will be covered after the start date. This will help you. I, too, have BC/BS coverage that I buy for myself. I chose the highest deductible ($5,000) so they won't cover any hospital or doctor stuff until I meet that (the hosp.or doc bills add up to $5,000 and I pay it). But, that keeps my monthly premium payments at $237. I did get drug coverage with BC/BS immediately (the deductible did not have to be met first) and they have copays of $10 for generic, $15 for brand, and $25 for certain special meds. There are also grants to cover Pulmozyme and TOBI and some other things if you meet the income requirements.

 

[anonymous]

I AM ON MEDACARE AND MINE PAYS FOR THREE SCRIPTS A MONTH I ALSO HAVE CF AND IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET INFO ON EXTRA PLANS AND WHAT NOT FROM YOUR PHARMACY I WAS SCARED TO AT FIRST BUT HANG IN THERE AND YOU WILL BE OK