topic Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS in Wellness

Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:11:36 GMT

DH and I I had UnitedHealth Care for years when he worked. It was great insurance. We both then went on Medicare and had United on and above Medicare. It was $96 a month for each of us.

DH died and I got the $96 cost for a year and it jumped to $300. OK, did that. Last year it was going to Advantage Plan. The price wasn't given when it was announced.

Went to another Advantage Plan. DH's brother and his wife have same thing and were happy with it. I met with someone and decided on the same as DH's relatives. $122 per month, UnitedHealth ended up being $160+.

I take BP pills, nothing else. New insurance has a bunch of wellness BS. Had Dr. appt today because I hadn't been there and no go on renewing BP scripts without hiking 30 miles round trip. got there, I wasn't on the schedule. What? Made me get blood taken (never, ever had to before) and see the idiot Dr. next week before I can get my scripts. I am completely out of one of them.

Nothing like having your prescriptions held hostage.

I hate drs., ins. companies. I am half tempted to tell them to go p*ss up a rope. So much for having a say in your healthcare.

Last week I got a call about nurse visiting. I told the thanks, but no. Former SIL said it part of their freakin wellness plan. Go over meds, take BP etc. If I'm sick I'll call you, otherwise back off.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

colleena — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:33:30 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 Sorry for all that frustration.

I signed up for a different rx program for this year & could not believe all the hoops they wanted me to go through. I received 6-10 phone calls from them weekly telling me that I had to do this/that & something else, they wanted me to do mail order pharmacy even though I have a great relationship w/my pharmacy & like you mentioned they wanted to do in person visits - finally I wrote to their management person, explained all this & said if I need something I will call you, otherwise do not contact me ever.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

pieman — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:40:19 GMT

That is so dangerous to just stop the BP pills, you could stroke out,

I tell you ,these doctors just don't care anymore, especially here in Fl.

We still rely on our doctors from up North to refill our scripts,

I broke my pelvis in 3 places plus broke my femur,

They said no surgery would be needed, sent me home with a walker,

I asked them about PT, they said none needed...

Oh yes, told me to rake Tylenol as needed.

Can't wait to get out of here!

Yes, we have United Health Care too...

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

Trailrun23 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:34:02 GMT

I went through the annual home visit only once. If you are on most of the Medicare plans, they do the memory test. BP, etc. and ask what meds you are on...shouldn't they already know that since they are paying for part of it and I can't it if they don't authorize it? The worst, they sent a male nurse and DH was at work. I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life. He also pointed out I needed to get rid of the rug in my foyer because it was a fall hazard and was eyeing other things, including the stairs. I don't do the stairs unless DH is home and I rarely use them anyway due to my vision. I am not feeble and know enough not to have scatter rugs I told him I had to go out for another appt so he took the hint and wrapped things up. If I had known a man would be coming we would have arranged it so DH could be there. That was two years ago when I was with Humana. My pension provider has been changing Medicare advantage plans through insurance companies every other year it seems. So far, have been with four big companies in 8 yrs. Aetna, Humana, United, BC/BS. Am not in love with any of them

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:43:46 GMT

@colleena It is down right silly and a racket.

I have been in this body for 72 years. If I feel something is wrong I'll call.

I hate being forced to do something I don't want to do.

Between my hubby being ill (2015) and my 2 joint replacements I have spent more time in dr. offices, hospitals and waiting rooms in the last few years than I did in the previous 65 years of my life.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

Janey2 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:48:18 GMT

If I run out of a medicine and have to wait to see the dr. I am always given enough meds until I see the dr. This is only my opinion based on talks with people in the medical field, if you can help it do not sign up for medical insurance with the word " advantage" in its name. Too many strings attached to what you have to go through and the coverage is never that good. Good luck

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:50:42 GMT

@pieman I still have Metoprolol (sp) and Lisinapril I'm taking. Am out of fluid pill a whopping 12.5 mg. I told them I was out. Oh well.

My Dr. olf 40 years retired and the bird they got in there is terrible. He had a really good PA I saw but he left a couple months ago.

I guess I have to find a new Dr. but that doesn't solve the PITA insurance wellness *rap.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

chiclets — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:52:06 GMT

I would definitely call the Doctor again.

I would tell them I have NO blood pressure medicine and TELL them they should call the drug store to give me the medication for the days I need to have them BEFORE seeing the doctor.

The doctor can do this and so can the drug store and prescription company.

INSIST and do not take no for an answer.

It is only a few pills you need, and you DO need them.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

teganslaw — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 20:53:08 GMT

I didn't have a wellness test when I started Medicare. I go to my physician for an annual exam, and am not charged for it. Maybe it's considered wellness , but am not sure.

Never had anyone call me or come to my house for a home visit. IMO much of that is BS. I'm glad I didn't have to go through anything like that.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

colleena — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:00:48 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 Not sure if this would work for you or not but one reason I'm still w/my one pharmacy is that if there's a problem w/my rx refill for whatever reason (doctor hasn't approved refill, pharmacy hasn't received their delivery, insurance issue) they will give me so many pills to last me until hopefully the issue is worked out.

I sure hope something like this could be worked out for you.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

phoenixbrd — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:15:01 GMT

I would not subject myself to a "wellness" visit or any unnecessary exam. If I'm in need of an MD, I'll call.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

tansy — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:18:33 GMT

I just say no to a home visit and the wellness exam. It's never been a problem.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

shoesnbags — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:19:03 GMT

I have regular Medicare with a supplement. Have never experienced any of the stuff being described in this thread.

But I do have to shell out more $$ for insurance than I would on an Advantage plan. Maybe that's the difference??

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

proudlyfromNJ — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:23:53 GMT

We've had a Medicare Advantage plan for ten years. Never had a problem. Our Doctor sees us three or so times a year and makes sure all our prescriptions cover those times. The plan for years wants to come to the house for whatever. I just ignore their phone calls and they gave up. Prescriptions are from Shop Rite pharmacy which is easy and quick for us. They pay all our Doctor visits and meds with no problems.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

Trailrun23 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:44:27 GMT

I have a vary rare health issue that requires I see a specialist regularly. Regular Medicare is not accepted by the only two drs in my area who even know about my condition....I am okay and things are being managed well by them...but they get almost nothing in reimbursement from Medicare, so I must have more coverage than plain Medicare. The advantage plan has allowed me to see whoever necessary to deal with this stupid condition. DH is recovering from a very rare cancer and he also had to see a specific oncologist. Only downside is Medicare and the insurance company say " you first" when it is time to pay. Medicare usually pays first then the insurance company most or all of the rest.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

Trailrun23 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 21:53:49 GMT

We had a great pharmacist who would always call the dr and swear at the person at the desk...you could hear the authorization form coming out of the fax machine before he hung up. He retired, dang it!

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

sann — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 22:06:41 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:
@pieman I still have Metoprolol (sp) and Lisinapril I'm taking. Am out of fluid pill a whopping 12.5 mg. I told them I was out. Oh well.

My Dr. olf 40 years retired and the bird they got in there is terrible. He had a really good PA I saw but he left a couple months ago.

I guess I have to find a new Dr. but that doesn't solve the PITA insurance wellness *rap.

Your pharmacy should be able to issue you an emergency supply......

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

On It — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 23:00:49 GMT

I do not answer the phone for numbers I don't recognize. United Health Care nurse division left a message for me to call to get all my benefits. After four messages I answered the fifth time and the caller began her sales pitch. I listened a couple of minutes and then stopped her.

I calmly explained that we (at that time) are in the middle of a pandemic. There was no way that I would allow a random nurse to come into my home. I further requested that they stop calling. The calls stopped until this summer when my husband had health concerns. I did not answer and never returned calls. They have finally stopped.

My comment to them was if we want help we will call and request it.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 23:13:45 GMT

@sann I called CVS. Was on the phone for 12 minutes never got a human.

I got music, Covid booster info, flu shot info blah blah. No one at thr pharmacy answered.

This is not rocker science. Getting 7 lousy pills to tide me over should not be difficult.

Re: Stupid New Insurance Wellness BS

DrakesMomma — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 23:19:03 GMT

We are required by our health ins to have a yearly "wellness" exam by our primary care doc. If we don't the preimum will almost double. So, before you decide not to go yearly please see if this is in the small print of your policy.