Hi guys, I need your help. I just got a call from someone saying they want me to write to my congressman about changing the medicare part d perscription program. They say we should keep it the way it is as the change that is being considered is to have only one company and they will only cover the drugs they put on their formulary. If our drugs are not on that list, we would have to pay all out of pocket. So that doesn't sound good to me and yet the website she gave me to check out who she was representing was www.PhRma.org. To me that is not an entity that would have my best interest at heart, I think. She said they would write a letter for me with my Senator's name and address and all I have to do is sign and send it, making it very easy for me. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
I would be suspicious. PhRma is "Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing of America". This is primarily the big pharmaceutical and research companies. They are the ones who lobbied to have the original Part D prohibit negotiating with the companies for discounts. I haven't seen anything about the change they are opposing, but one thing I would assume is that if a drug you really need is not on the formulary, and there is no suitable substitute, your doctor can write a note requesting the drug. This is true now and probably would be continued in any changes. The "bottom line" is: Don't sign any letters from them!!!!!
Be careful, be very careful. I met a woman who said she wrote in to "inquire" about an optional pharmacedical company and in a few months she received a note verifying that she had cancelled her Medicare Part D (and was signed on with the company she inquired about). Remember years ago when long distance companies did that...switching users without their knowlege.
Be careful! People take advantage of people like us... I had it happen to me by an airconditioner company. Stupid me...I trusted the young man.
Thank you, Marsh. That was my suspicion and it helps me greatly to have someone second that thought. Thank you Nancy B. These people make me crazy with their phone calls and they get my husband on the phone and sometimes I can't help it, I wonder is it me that is losing it because this just doesn't sound right to me. He gets all wound up and agitated and I have to diffuse. Holy crap, I hope this group in Washington figure things out as I just don't have the energy to deal with more than my own little world here. Later on down the road I will be a advocate.
The Bad News Is Good News... Eventually AD patients quit talking on the phone. DH will sit right next to ours when it is ringing and doesn't blink an eye. It's as if he doesn't even hear it ring. (I've watched him to see if he seems to acknowledge the sound or look around for me. Nothing).