Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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BitterootFlyer 09/05/2012

I qualify for Medicare next month & I'm not sure what to do about Part D insurance.

I've had Blue Cross insurance for a long time and it was OK until I was diagnosed with MS and needed prescription drugs. The pharmaceutical part of my plan only covers $1200/year and the Betaseron I've been doing costs a boatload each month. Thankfully, I qualified for the Betaseron assistance program , I've been doing the shot for over a year and I think it's helping.

My monthly Blue Cross premiums cost me $428/mo and take a big bite out of my budget. I got my Blue Cross agent and the plan he came up with for Part D is $424/mo. I would have better coverage, but it would still cost about the same. He told me that since I have MS I may have difficulty finding an insurance company to take me and his plan may be my only choice.

I called MSAA & AARP and they didn't have any ideas. I'm wondering if I should go with the Blue Cross plan ? Is $424/mo about what someone with MS has to pay? Does anyone know of a good plan that's affordable?

Thanks for being here,
Tom

deleted_user 09/05/2012

You're paying $424 a month just for prescription drug coverage? If you have Medicare Part D then your prescriptions are covered by Medicare up until you hit the "donut hole". Coverage picks up again once your cost outlay exceeds the "donut hole". I don't understand why you are paying out $424 for Part D when it's part of Medicare as an option.

I have Medicare Parts A & B, but I opted not to go for Part D because the company I worked for before I went on disability offers free prescription drug coverage, minus a small deductable.

$424 sounds outrageous for prescription coverage! Why not just go with Medicare Part D alone and cover the donut hole if you hit it/

deleted_user 09/05/2012

My late Dad did not have MS but he had alot of medical issues-including Diabetes-insulin depent.He had of course medicare and AARP back up insure and his RX coverage thru AARP was something like only 30 to 60 a month.I forget which.

marilyn4342 09/06/2012

I don't know where you are but I am on Kaiser and my part D comes out of my SSDI and goes straight to them. I moly pay a small co-pay for my drugs. I no longer talke any of the CRAB Drugs so I won't reach the doughnut hole!

Call around and get literature from various companies before making a decision. Find what is local in your state and strt comparing! Good Luck!

BitterootFlyer 09/06/2012

I'm learning more about it and hopefully I'll find out more and make a decision soon.

Someone from my SSDI attorneys office called and suggested a plan I may go with that has a small co-pay and only costs $28/mo. I should get something in the mail from them in a day or two which describes the benefits.

I know there has to be something out there that would work that doesn't cost $424/mo.

Thank You All for your input.

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