topic Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today! in Wellness

I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Annabellethecat66 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 23:49:11 GMT

I've had the same prescription insurance for 2 years now. I'm not big on changes (they make me nervous).

However, I do trust my insurance agent and he said I need to change, so I did.

As it turns out my 'old' insurance is dropping 3 of the medicines I take, so I guess I didn't have a choice.

My agent takes all of my medicines, Drs, etc and decides where I should change and to whom I should change to.

Today was the last day I could do it. He send me the forms, I fill them out and he sends them in. He makes it totally easy but it's still scary to change.

How do some of you feel about making changes? Does it make you nervous to change things like this?

I'm curious. I tell my brain I'm being stupid and I know I'm making the right decision but change makes me nervous.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

QVCkitty1 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 23:52:49 GMT

Truthfully, I'm not big on change, but I've learned that it's inevitable and often works out to be better.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

shaggygirl — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:05:08 GMT

There is some security in familiarity. Change can discombobulate me totally at first. Though sometimes I find the fretting and worrying I did about the change that was coming was worse than the change itself. The only thing I don't get scared of changing is my underwear, lol.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

OKPrincess — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 23:59:43 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 We had to change insurances again and it is scary of the unknown prescription prices and copay. My husband and I will go on Medicare next fall so there will be another change. We also had to change pharmacies from CVS to Walgreens and the prices weren't the same of course. Had to rethink the budget.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

drizzellla — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:08:47 GMT

I changed during the summer. I NEVER had any trouble before and I had been with a few different companies. My company changed it's heath insurance frequently.

Well, I retired and I am now under Medicare and a new prescription company, my Doctors sent in the prescriptions. The NEW pharmacy filled one, So my Doctor sent in the other prescriptions AGAIN. And the new pharmacy filled one. It went on and on - I am on 5 prescriptions. Finally after a month of calling, sending in new prescriptions I got them all.THEN the new pharmacy said the wrong company sent my last prescription. I had to send the drug back to them before they would fill my prescription. The label on the prescription bottle looked exactly like every other bottle.

I sent the drug back and THEN they told me I had to send in a new prescription!?!?!?!

I can't wait until next year - if I go through the same mess again.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Carmie — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:21:30 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 Medicare RX insurance should be reviewed every year to get the best plan and the best value for your money.

It shouldn’t be scary. You can always review and change it again next year during open enrollment.

If your current insurance will not cover of your meds in 2018, why wouldn’t you want to change?

You did the right thing. Give yourself a pat on the back for being insurance savvy.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Evie2004 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:41:29 GMT

I agree/ rx coverage & costs are a very good reason to change..I am glad we have the option to change..

My friend hit the drug donut hole back in September & her agent found her a much better drug plan..I think you made the right choice for you!

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:41:41 GMT

Thanks for weighing in. I guess I'm making a big deal out of nothing. I trust what this guy tells me.

This insurance I had for 2 years was one he didn't even represent. He said he felt it was best for me and it worked out for 2 years.

I'm such a dingbat. This poor guy has to lead me entirely. I finally found his house this morning (just a few miles down the road). He had all of these papers laying out on the table but he made time for me.

I've dealt with him since my husband died so it's been quite a long time. I still don't understand who pays him or how he gets paid. I don't think he got any money from recommending the last insurance.

Here's one thing he said. I'm always busting on what happened with the insurance (and guy who changed things) and he did say that it was a mess before then and it's even more of a mess now. I asked him if changes were going to make things better and he said, "I'm afraid not". He said I've been doing this for many years so it's a very good observation.

Oh! Well! We're all just doing the best we can, aren't we?

Meanwhile my oldest daughter (with 4 children) said she only has 2 insurance companies to choose from. She said she's getting everything done before the first of the year.

I thought it was about money and she said, no, not at all about money but insurance companies are pulling out of Va. It's just difficult to understand. Her husband is self-employed and does very well financially.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Snoopp — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:47:03 GMT

Change can be upsetting.

How do you find an insurance agent when it comes to health insurance?

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:54:19 GMT

@Evie2004 Yes! I know all about the donut hole as I always, always hit it in July and August. Of course I hit it again this year.

Medicine that would be like $15 shoots up to $300. This happens to me. It is what it is.

I asked the pharmacist what do people do that don't have the money. She said, "They just don't take the medicine".

I know that has to do with Medicare. Changes should be made to help those people who have to stop taking their medicine.

One thing Drs are guilty of though is they prescribe medicine and it doesn't change over time. Then they prescribe other medicine to counter the medicine they've been taking. So it goes on and on and before a person knows it they're taking a lot of medicine.

My Dr says "Why do you fight me on adding medicine?" I said, "Well, when was the last time you subtracted medicine?" He said, "I see your point". Then I always say, "Let's review WHY I take this or that. Let's decide if I take the new medicine I might be able to eliminate the old medicine".

He says, "I wish there were more patients like you who are willing and able to review their medicines so we can discuss ALL of the medicines and why you take them."

I think Drs in this country only want to treat a patient for ONLY what their specialty is about. I honestly believe Drs should treat patients but take into account ALL of the medicine. I don't think a lot of Drs do that.

They allow themselves 15 minutes per patients. I'm lucky because I've been going to all of them for so long I spend more than 15 minutes. We don't chit chat but cover a lot of things.

Don't some of you agree that some people think if a Dr says something they're always right? I don't. I listen carefully, then listen to my body. I read up on the medicine and then decide if I think it's helpful. If not, I go back to the Dr and tell him why.

How do some of you handle your Dr visits? Do you know people who think if the Dr says it, it's always right?

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Evie2004 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 01:15:25 GMT

@Annabellethecat66, your Dr sounds a lot like mine..twice a year, she goes over everything with me..drugs, preventive care, (vaccines) their group (3 Drs & 1 NP) see a LOT of older patients & are very familiar with generic drugs & Medicare coverage..I never feel rushed with her..& feel very fortunate to have her as my Dr.

Luckily, the few rx I take are generic, & work fine for me, so far!

My donut hole friend found out she was taking 3 unnecessary drugs, 2 of them newer (& expensive) to reduce her blood sugar A1C..they were not effective for her ..hopefully your donut hole may be smaller next year with your new plan!

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Carmie — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 01:36:29 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 I have to agree with you. Doctors in the US only want to prescribe meds for the symptoms instead of treating the illness or the whole person.

i don’t think doctors are always 100% right. I have a few family member who are in the medical profession and I wouldn’t trust them to cut my toenails and they see patients every day..really scary.

i hate going to doctors and only go when I absolutely have to.

Last March, I fell on the ice and went to the ER because my chest and head were hurting and my DH was having a fit. Well, I got the big cardiac workout, complete with a chest X-ray, CT scans on my head, tread mill tests, blood work, urine samples, etc.

They found nothing wrong except I had a bruised butt. So I went home. Two days later they called and said they felt I should come back for more tests. I asked why and the girl said, since they found nothing, they needed to do more tests. I hung up and told the girl no.

It has been 10 years since I have had a physical. When I was there, the doctor wanted me to take calcium, one half baby aspirin, and some kind of cardiac med to help prevent heart disease. My heart is fine, but my mother died from cardiac disease. My BP is good as is my cholesterol. I am supposed to take drugs for prevention? The doctor was not pleased when I said no.

So, My Insurance is changing in January and I have a GYN exam tomorrow and a mammogram next week and an eye doctor appointment that is necessary because I need a new medical prosthetic contact lens and they won’t prescribe it to me unless I get an exam first. I am okay with that. I have had several eye problems.

i had to fill out forms tonight for tomorrow’s exam and I don’t have a PCP to list. My PCP’s office closed when a few doctors retired and my doctor moved about 30 miles away to work in another office.

I hope my visit is fine tomorrow. Since I am 63 and take no meds, I always get the “look” and then they try to prescribe me some. If he insists tomorrow, maybe I’ll ask for some contraceptives. That’ll get his attention.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:02:13 GMT

@Annabellethecat66

Well, if the change is an improvement, then I think it's a really good idea.

The only thing you can count on in life ... is change.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

151949 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:13:33 GMT

We have had the same insurance for 7 years now and continue to be content with it.It's a medicare advantage plan - the cost is right - zero additional premium above what medicare deducts every month. Is it perfect insurance - no -there is no such thing . But it is much better coverage than we had from our employers when we were working.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Carmie — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:26:31 GMT

@151949 Last year you posted that you changed your Advantage PPO plan to a HMO Advantage Plan to save money and keep your Silver Sneaker membership. I am sure that wasn’t seven years ago.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Kachina624 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:46:49 GMT

Change can be to your advantage. After several years of enduring CVS Caremark, my insturer switched to Optum RX and it has been 100X better.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Carmie — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:50:08 GMT

@Kachina624 My sister use to have CVS Caremark and it wasn’t so good. Now I see that CVS is buying Aetna. I hope they don’t mess them up too.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

151949 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 04:49:42 GMT

@CarmieWe simply went from UHC advantage PPO to the same co. HMO. Very slight difference.

Why are you constantly following me trying to bully me ?

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 04:53:17 GMT

My husband and I both have Silver Script but separately. I'm doing find with mine because I only take glaucoma medicine nightly. But he takes about seven medications regularly with various others on a temporary basis. The prices are always going up. He takes sleeping pills and after a while they don't work anymore so the doctor will change the brand. Well a couple of months ago, he went to the pharmacy to pick up the med and it wasn't covered by the insurance as the doctor thought....$300! He left them there. But there has been a time or two that he had to buy a medication regardless the increase. There have been times that a med was dropped by the insurance as well.

To make a long story short, he had to start getting some of his meds through the VA. Much, much cheaper. Prices are changing so much and so often that changing drug companies might not help much. Staying prescription free is the only sure solution for your pocket.

Re: I Changed Prescription Insurances Today!

Carmie — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 06:50:48 GMT

@151949 I am sorry that you feel bullied. That was not my intention.

As you know an HMO coverage and a PPO coverage are two very distinct coverages and not alike at all. The only thing they have in common is that they are both Advantage plans and you purchased both coverages from United Health Care.

When you posted that you have had the same coverage for the past seven years, I got confused, because of what you posted last year.

You changed your coverage the same way many others have changed their RX plan. Some people took out a different RX plan with the same insurance company that they had before. A different plan is not the same thing, however slight.

BTW, I am not following you. I have a few postings on this topic before you posted, so perhaps you are following me?

I,know,you are following me because you got caught back in July telling a different story about your trailer/ park model and you called out another poster for lying when she mentioned it to you. She found your original post to prove that you were changing your story and she was telling the truth.

You got upset and asked the Mods how to delete you account. You were gone from July until November, but apparently you were still reading the forums, because you just had to come out of hiding to debate me about a Supplement to Medicare and moving to another area of which you know nothing about.

Then you told a story on how your DH was fined for moving and not telling your insurance co. He wasn’t fined at all. He just had to pay the surcharge for going out of network with an HMO Plan. You debated me last year when I said he could not go out of network without paying a higher fee unless it was an emergency, but you found out that I was correct... the hard way.

It would help you a lot if you could keep your stories straight. Some of us have super great memories.