Wellness

[Annabellethecat66]

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.

[QVCkitty1]

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

[shaggygirl]

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.

[OKPrincess]

@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.

[drizzellla]

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.

[Carmie]

@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.

[Evie2004]

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!

[Annabellethecat66]

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.

[Snoopp]

Change can be upsetting.  

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

[Annabellethecat66]

@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?