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The Kitchen Table

Dumb, Dumb( RE Medicare

14 years ago

I called in today to get some prescriptions filled and Medicare has changed this rule. Hubby on insulin, uses strips to check his blood, and the pharmacy was just notified that he has to be in the office personally to order and receive the strips now. Cannot be mailed out and so far I can pick them up. The are checking on that.

I cannot belive it!

Marie

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Comments (13)

pam_25f
14 years ago
I agree this is ridiculous!
alisande
14 years ago
You gotta wonder what's next!
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jannie
14 years ago
Sounds very strange.
dedtired
14 years ago
Seriously? That makes no sense at all.
patti43
14 years ago
I wonder how they can say that when you can buy them on-line--even Target is selling them. I don't know about using your Medicare card at Target though--on-line, I mean.
marie_ndcal
Original Author
14 years ago
Patti--I thought of that also and there is several companies that you can order diabetic supplies by mail and have it sent to your house. I have written Social Security and asked why? Will see what happens.
Marie
monica_pa Grieves
14 years ago
Do you have Medicare or Medicare Advantage from an insurance company?

In cases like this, sounds more like an Advantage (HMO) thing.
monica_pa Grieves
14 years ago
This link may help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Official Meidcare rules on diabetic supplies
cathyid
14 years ago
I just picked up my prescription this week and didn't run into any problems. What a dumb thing that will be to deal with. Hope you get it straightened out.
jemdandy
14 years ago
Its dumb! But the change may be between the insurance company and the druggist.

I buy my insulin through the druggist, but I do not bother with the test strips. I bought a "Relion" meter at Walmart using my own cash. I buy refill test strips at Walmart on my own. The cost of these strips are much less than other meters. Consumers Reports tested a number of meters and gave this one a good rating, It is accurate.

Why do I do this? It cuts down on the hassle and cost, and since I hit the doughnut hole sometime around Oct. 1 due to all my other meds, it makes no difference in cost to go off insurance for this purchase. The one thing that I loose out on is credit toward personal costs while in the doughnut hole. After spending a certain amount, catastrophic coverage kicks in. But I never get close to spending my way through the doughnut hole.

If my circumstance changes, my doctor will write a prescription for what I am using. When that happens, I'll have to deal with two pharmacies. This meter and strips are not carried by my main drugstore. It is available only through Walmart (at my location).

It does not require a prescription to buy this meter and test strips. A prescription is needed only if you purchase through insurance.
marie_ndcal
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all, am checking it out. Will contact Medicare as SS said they don't have any thing to do with MC rules. I also will be talking to the pharmacy and blue cross (caremark) who handles our insurance.
Thanks again
Marie
sjerin
14 years ago
Perhaps it's an effort to cut down on fraud.
nanny98
14 years ago
Caremark has been a problem for us since Jan 1.

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