Good Medical Care for the Elderly and How to Get It

Soaring co-pays for prescription medications

How many people really read those thick pamphlets that credit card companies, banks, and/or insurance companies send out periodically to advise of a change in policies, interest rates, etc.? Many of these mailings surely end up in a stack that you’ll read when you “get around to it.”

Thus many seniors accustomed to paying a $20 co-pay may have been surprised the last time they went to pick up a refill of commonly used medications used to treat diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, hepatitis C and some cancers. New pricing systems adopted by many insurance companies now require patients to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for medications prescribed to help them save their lives or to slow a disease process.

For more about this troubling trend, see the April 14, 2008 New York Times,
Co-payments for Expensive Drugs Soar.

See also earlier posts Saving money on prescription medications and   Getting medications without charge

New restrictions on anti-anemia drugs

An FDA advisory panel has recommended further strengthening warnings for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in cancer treatment, according to news reports.

The panel voted to recommend keeping Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) and Procrit (epoetin alfa) on the market to treat anemia resulting from chemotherapy. But it said they should be given only to patients with incurable cancer and should not be used for those with breast or head and neck cancer. Evidence that the drugs may increase the risks for death and tumor growth led to the new restrictions.

The panel also advised that patients should sign forms indicating that they consent to receive the drugs after being fully informed of the dangers associated with them, according to the New York Times.

The New York Times story may be read here.

Heparin warnings

The New York Times reports today that Baxter Healthcare, the manufacturer of about half of the heparin used in the U.S., has stopped making it after hundreds of patients reported severe allergic reactions to the drug. Heparin is a blood thinner widely used in surgery and dialysis. Reportedly, at least four people have died. It's important to note that the complications reported were related to large dosages being injected in patients. Most of the cases were reported in late December or January. 40 percent of the cases were reportedly serious.

Federal regulators say that a shutdown in manufacturing will surely result in shortages of the drug.
Alternative drugs do exist. However, doctors were warned today of serious consequences if heparin becomes truly scarce.

You may read the New York Times article, Problems in Drug Lead to Halt by Factory here.

Medicare audits reveal problems with insurers

The New York Times reported on October 7, 2007 that federal audits of insurance companies selling Medicare drug coverage to seniors reveal that “tens of thousands of Medicare recipients have been victims of deceptive sales tactics.” The Times said that many private insurers also improperly denied claims. In fact, Medicare has levied fines of over $770,000 on 11 companies. Among those fined are three that control a hefty portion of the Medicare supplemental insurance market, UnitedHealth, Humana and WellPoint.

Medicare cited two major concerns about the insurers. These were marketing abuses and failure to implement procedures to allow for proper handling of claims and appeals.

The information revealed by the Times might help you choose a supplemental insurance carrier.

You can read the New York Times article here: Medicare Audits Show Problems in Private Plans. A one-time registration may be required.

Technorati tags: Medicare, health care, medicare part d

Saving money on prescription medications

Recently, I’ve been exploring Medicare and prescription drug issues. I’ve posted on my blog an article about prescription assistance programs run by drug companies. If you or your loved one are unable to get help from these programs, here’s another way to save money on prescription medications.

Walmart began a program to sell certain generic prescription drugs at the highly discounted price of $4 for a 30-day supply in early October 2006. By the end of 2006, Walmart had expanded this program to all states but one. This includes stores in the Walmart chain (Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam’s Club).

Target soon jumped on the bandwagon and began its own $4 generic medication program. It’s easy to see why. Even if a person can’t fill all of his or her prescriptions in this low-cost program, once someone changes pharmacies, it makes sense that they will continue to fill and re-fill prescriptions all in one place.

Getting medications without charge

I was asked today for information about how a person might get medications if he or she were old enough to qualify for Medicare but had not signed up for Medicare Part D. I said:
Here are three avenues to explore regarding medications for an elderly person who has not signed up for Medicare Part D.

Free medicine

Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell you about “drug assistance programs.” Free medicine is provided by some drug companies to patients who can’t pay for it. There are different rules for every drug company. Most, but not all, drugs are available in these programs. Ask your doctor or your clinic about these programs. The drug companies have a group called Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). PhRMA has information on all the drug assistance programs their members offer. PhRMA can tell you whether a drug company can help you. Caregivers and patients can check out eligibility for drug assistance programs and availability of specific drugs at the "Partnership for Prescription Assistance" website.