Re: Xolair and Medicare Plans

[Guest guest]

I'm in the same boat. I've been on AARP's United prescription plan and

it's been terrific, covered all my asthma meds and everthing else as

well with no glitches ever. Even when I've needed early refills to take

on vacation or they questioned being on Flovent with or without

Pulimicort in additon to Advair, all I've had to do is explain my

regimen to the pharmacist and United immediately OKed them. My covered

asthma/allergy meds are Advair, Flovent,Pulmicort and Combivent

inhalers a well as Singulair, Zyrtec, Epipen and of course prednisone.

My Pulmicort, Atrovent and Xopenex for neb as well as Xolair have all

been covered through Part B, not the prescription plan, which is the

case for anyone with Medicare Part B.

I haven't yet reviewed the changes in the AARP drug plan for 2008 so

can't report on that yet and I don't have a Medigap policy since

they're not available to folks on Medicare because of disability rather

than age-eligibility. Like you, I'd be very interested in hearing about

folks' past and present experiences on other plans.

Fran

>

> It's getting to be that time of year again where people on medicare

> are overwhelmed with trying to figure out the best prescription plan

> for them and the best medigap plans.

>

> Has anyone ever used Advantage Star or Freedom Plan through RxAmerica

> and been able to get most of their asthma medicines?

>

> And our local Office of Aging is suggesting we consider switching from

> medicare to something called Total Options. I've called the rep and

> left a message and specifically asked him to find out about Xolair.

>

> This is the kind of thing that this group could be really helpful

> with, people sharing what has served them well and letting us know

> what plans are deficient.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joy Carol and

Medicare and North Carolina BCBS pay 100% of my Xolair shots costs as long as I

go to the hospital to get them - they're covered under some sort of Medicare

special treatment category that can't be applied if the shots are given in my

pulmo's office. Actually, I'm glad to go to the hospital - I go to its

Outpatient Services Unit which has about six recliners with a TV for each. They

do vitals, give my the shots and I'm out of there in about 20 minutes - in all

probability, faster than if I were to get them in the doctor's office.

Ohldepharte

----- Original Message -----

From: JoyCarol and

Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:44 AM

Subject: [ ] Xolair and Medicare Plans

It's getting to be that time of year again where people on medicare

are overwhelmed with trying to figure out the best prescription plan

for them and the best medigap plans.

Has anyone ever used Advantage Star or Freedom Plan through RxAmerica

and been able to get most of their asthma medicines?

And our local Office of Aging is suggesting we consider switching from

medicare to something called Total Options. I've called the rep and

left a message and specifically asked him to find out about Xolair.

This is the kind of thing that this group could be really helpful

with, people sharing what has served them well and letting us know

what plans are deficient.

[Guest guest]

I've had AARP for the past two years and come summer

they stopped covering Singulair. Now, I have only been

getting 'pills' through AARP, I don't get my duoneb or

advair or any sprays. I don't think they negotiated

very well with the drug companies on prices for come

middle of last month, Oct., I had found I had met the

$2,500 limit and I'm in the donut hole and now have to

pay 100% of my scripts for the last two months in

January.

I can't even begin to figure out the three options in

AARP's new plan, that is why I'm starting to shop

around. If you figure it out, I'd appreciate your

letting me know what you think - my email is

jclutterbuster at gmail.com

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Do you have the AARP Medigap (supplemental) policy or only the AARP

Prescription Plan (Part D)? I have the latter, also for the last 2

years, and they continue to cover Singulair (just filled it

yesterday) and Advair as well as Flovent and Combivent. This plan

does not cover nebulizer meds or Xolair but my straight Medicare Part

B does cover both. (I have no Medigap coverage.) I pay a 20% copay

for the Xolair and neb meds but reached and then quickly sailed

through my donut hole by May. All my meds covered by AARP Part D now

cost between $2 and $12 per month.

Do you mean now you have to pay 100% of your scripts for the last two

months UNTIL January (instead of IN January)?

Fran

>

> I've had AARP for the past two years and come summer

> they stopped covering Singulair. Now, I have only been

> getting 'pills' through AARP, I don't get my duoneb or

> advair or any sprays. I don't think they negotiated

> very well with the drug companies on prices for come

> middle of last month, Oct., I had found I had met the

> $2,500 limit and I'm in the donut hole and now have to

> pay 100% of my scripts for the last two months in

> January.

>

> I can't even begin to figure out the three options in

> AARP's new plan, that is why I'm starting to shop

> around. If you figure it out, I'd appreciate your

> letting me know what you think - my email is

> jclutterbuster at gmail.com

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Unless you are also on one of the Medicare plans, or have a supplemental Drug

Prescription policy yes, you would have to pay for your meds if you just have

medicare.  My mom was on Medicare but she joined Secure Horizons which

administrated her health care and so she paid a co-pay for her meds.  She was

also on a very limited income, lived in an apartment and so was eligible for

help from some state programs with her meds.  Secure Horizons and Social

Security assigned a case worker to her who helped her find the programs that

would help with her medical costs.

 

I am on medicare and have a supplemental insurance that we kept after my husband

retired  and between medicare and the supplemental, we have had to pay very

little for our medical costs.  Occasionally there is something that medicare

does not cover or is not covered by our insurance. 

 

I do not pay anything right now for my xolair shots and get one every six

weeks.  We consider ourselves very fortunate.  I must also add that the premium

on our supplemental is almost $200 a month, plus the medicare premiums that we

each pay.  But it is so worth it in the long run.

 

Adah

From: Carol Corley <floridabouvs@...>

Subject: [ ] Xolair and medicare plans

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 6:08 PM

 

I'm not there yet, but does anyone know what happens to people when they go

on Medicare and a supplement? Are there any plans that cover it? I asked at

my doctor's office and was told that Medicare patients pay for the medicine

themselves. That would be rather horrific.Carol