|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349
Hall of Famer
|
OP
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349 |
Do any of you know the laws on health insurance coverage well?
My wife was working a county government job so when me and her got married me and my two (now alomost 19 and 17) went on her insurance which covered her and her two(17 and almost 16)
I declined the coverage at my work.
Well today my wife started her new job as an RN. She texted me and told me that they said I have to take coverage at my work if it is available. Is this correct? If it is does that mean as a family we will have to pay for two family plans? can step children be counted on a plan the same as biological children? What I mean is could we put all the kids on one plan and then have the other just be a single plan? If we have to carry two family plans then it is going to triple our health coverage costs.
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,822 Likes: 516
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,822 Likes: 516 |
I can't tell you the laws.
I can tell you my understanding.
I get insurance (as does our daughter) through my wife. (and yes, I cost her more). IF I worked somewhere that offered insurance, I would be prohibited from being on her insurance. Now, I don't know if that's a 'law', or just her company's policy.
The rest, I have no idea about.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 8,767
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 8,767 |
Usually if both have coverage they either have to each take their companies plan or pay a fine (not sure that's the word I'm looking for) to both go on one or the others exclusively. That's how mine has worked for years now.
Not sure if they can force dependents on to one or the other. I seem to remember possibly something about the elder puts the kids on theirs but DON'T count that as the gospel!!!
Last edited by 1oldMutt; 05/29/18 01:43 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450
1st String
|
|
1st String
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450 |
Do any of you know the laws on health insurance coverage well?
My wife was working a county government job so when me and her got married me and my two (now alomost 19 and 17) went on her insurance which covered her and her two(17 and almost 16)
I declined the coverage at my work.
Well today my wife started her new job as an RN. She texted me and told me that they said I have to take coverage at my work if it is available. Is this correct? If it is does that mean as a family we will have to pay for two family plans? can step children be counted on a plan the same as biological children? What I mean is could we put all the kids on one plan and then have the other just be a single plan? If we have to carry two family plans then it is going to triple our health coverage costs. Most employers will require the spouse to get their own coverage from their own respective employer if available to them. However, if they do not have that option, then they can be covered under their spouses plan. So in your case, you will need a plan from your own employer. At the same time, you can put all the kids, step and biological on your plan, or on your spouses plan. They do not need to be on both. Therefore, either you or your spouse will have a family plan, and the other person will have a single plan. You choose which one is most cost effective. I know this to be true because I am in the same boat with my wife's coverage as an RN. She and the kids get pretty good health insurance options, and I'm on a single plan from my employer that sucks.
"You're gonna do WHAT?!"
-Tim Robbins as Merlin in Top Gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,376 Likes: 457
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,376 Likes: 457 |
Yea Affordable Care Act.  There is more at the link I posted ... but this was the pertinent part. Should Married Couples Have Separate Health Insurance? https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-married-couples-have-separate-health-insurance-4121045Employers are not required to offer coverage to spouses. The Affordable Care Act requires large employers (50 or more workers) to offer coverage to their full-time employees, and requires them to also offer coverage to those employees' dependent children. But there's no requirement that employers offer coverage to employees' spouses. That said, the majority of employers that offer coverage do allow spouses to enroll in the plan. Some employers offer spousal coverage only if the spouse does not have access to their own employer-sponsored plan. Under the ACA, the coverage large employers offer to their full-time employees must be considered affordable, or else the employer faces the possibility of financial penalties. But the affordability determination is based on the cost of the employee's premium, regardless of the cost to add dependents or a spouse to the plan. This is known as the family glitch, and results in some families facing significant costs to add the family to the employer-sponsored plan, but also being ineligible for subsidies in the exchange.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74,532 Likes: 1661
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74,532 Likes: 1661 |
So the ACA leaves it up to the employers just like it was before the ACA. Got it.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349
Hall of Famer
|
|
OP
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349 |
Therefore, either you or your spouse will have a family plan, and the other person will have a single plan. You choose which one is most cost effective.
I know this to be true because I am in the same boat with my wife's coverage as an RN. She and the kids get pretty good health insurance options, and I'm on a single plan from my employer that sucks.
I think this is what I am looking at, but my company does allow spouses on our plan so not sure what her companies policy will be on declining their coverage.
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450
1st String
|
|
1st String
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450 |
Here's the skinny. Since her company says that you can only get on her insurance if your company doesn't offer coverage, and your company does offer coverage, you need to get a plan through your own employer.
There's no way around that since your company offers coverage. And since your wife has just started a new job, hence you lost the previous coverage you had, this is a qualifying event for you to enter into open enrollment at your company for health insurance coverage.
Your wife and kids can tag along onto your coverage if your employee allows spousal coverage even though her employer offers it.
So you just need to ask your employer about spousal coverage. If they offer it with no exceptions, then you can do that. If they offer it only if your spouse can't get coverage with her own employer, then you'll just have to be on your own single plan and your wife with kiddos on the wife's plan.
That's how we do it. It's my wife with our two children, and my step daughter on my wife's plan, and I'm on my own single plan at my company.
Man. I never knew I knew so much about the way these plans work lol.
"You're gonna do WHAT?!"
-Tim Robbins as Merlin in Top Gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450
1st String
|
|
1st String
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450 |
I should also mention that your HR rep at the company should be able to explain this to you as well. Hopefully anyway.
"You're gonna do WHAT?!"
-Tim Robbins as Merlin in Top Gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,753 Likes: 11
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,753 Likes: 11 |
Yea Affordable Care Act. There is more at the link I posted ... but this was the pertinent part. Should Married Couples Have Separate Health Insurance? https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-married-couples-have-separate-health-insurance-4121045Employers are not required to offer coverage to spouses. The Affordable Care Act requires large employers (50 or more workers) to offer coverage to their full-time employees, and requires them to also offer coverage to those employees' dependent children. But there's no requirement that employers offer coverage to employees' spouses. That said, the majority of employers that offer coverage do allow spouses to enroll in the plan. Some employers offer spousal coverage only if the spouse does not have access to their own employer-sponsored plan. Under the ACA, the coverage large employers offer to their full-time employees must be considered affordable, or else the employer faces the possibility of financial penalties. But the affordability determination is based on the cost of the employee's premium, regardless of the cost to add dependents or a spouse to the plan. This is known as the family glitch, and results in some families facing significant costs to add the family to the employer-sponsored plan, but also being ineligible for subsidies in the exchange. Insurance didn't need to include spouses before the ACA either. I've mostly worked for somewhat large to huge companies, and I've always been offered it - but I know many friends that were either not allowed to include their spouses or it was less expensive to have separate insurance.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349
Hall of Famer
|
|
OP
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349 |
I should also mention that your HR rep at the company should be able to explain this to you as well. Hopefully anyway. I have spoken to our HR rep since I posted this and she said our policy does allow spouse coverage, so we will just have to look at economically which way makes sense
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,376 Likes: 457
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,376 Likes: 457 |
So the ACA leaves it up to the employers just like it was before the ACA. Got it. Yep. Huge improvement.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,612
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,612 |
I think health insurance for the average middle class American sucks wicked.
It's a huge rip-off.
There are so many ways out for the insurance company, you could easily be better off being "self-insured" (no health insurance).
Meanwhile, us poor folk on Medicaid are bleeding the middle-class dry.
There's a very simple economic maxim. If something is free but has perceived value, people will take it until it's gone.
There are thousands and thousands of poor folk just in tiny Hartford, CT who practically live in medical offices because it's free. That includes prescriptions.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,266 Likes: 343
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,266 Likes: 343 |
It wil only get worse - soon - when the boomers aren't contributing to the economy, and instead are milking it.
![[Linked Image from i28.photobucket.com]](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/shadedog/mcenroe2.jpg) gmstrong -----------------
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,438 Likes: 548
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,438 Likes: 548 |
It wil only get worse - soon - when the boomers aren't contributing to the economy, and instead are milking it. Pretty sure we are there.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 301 Likes: 14
2nd String
|
|
2nd String
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 301 Likes: 14 |
It wil only get worse - soon - when the boomers aren't contributing to the economy, and instead are milking it. Excuse me? I've paid into these programs for 44 years. I've never been on Welfare, briefly on Unemployment but have worked since I was 15. I did my time in the military because it thought it my duty to serve my country. How is that "Milking" it? I take offense in anyone saying I haven't paid my dues and haven't earned my benefits when I come of age. I may not work full time after I retire, but I will have "side" job so I don't drive my wife crazy.
The Constitution shall never be construe to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms. – Samuel Adams
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450
1st String
|
|
1st String
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450 |
It wil only get worse - soon - when the boomers aren't contributing to the economy, and instead are milking it. Excuse me? I've paid into these programs for 44 years. I've never been on Welfare, briefly on Unemployment but have worked since I was 15. I did my time in the military because it thought it my duty to serve my country. How is that "Milking" it? I take offense in anyone saying I haven't paid my dues and haven't earned my benefits when I come of age. I may not work full time after I retire, but I will have "side" job so I don't drive my wife crazy. Well I don't know what they meant by that, but I don't see it that way. You have earned the right to healthcare, social security, and whatever else benefits coming your way. So have my parents. It's not theirs or your fault our government has repeatedly stolen from Social Security. FWIW, I think we have all earned the right, as human beings, to healthcare. Thank you for your service and I happily pay my taxes towards your benefits. Even if you had used Welfare at some point, so what, that's what it's there for. It's a benefit like any other to help people when they need it. Yes, some people abuse it, but overall it is a fantastic program and helps people. And shhh, don't tell anyone, but it doesn't eat up as much of our tax dollars as some people like to exaggerate.
"You're gonna do WHAT?!"
-Tim Robbins as Merlin in Top Gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,266 Likes: 343
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,266 Likes: 343 |
It wil only get worse - soon - when the boomers aren't contributing to the economy, and instead are milking it. Excuse me? I've paid into these programs for 44 years. I've never been on Welfare, briefly on Unemployment but have worked since I was 15. I did my time in the military because it thought it my duty to serve my country. How is that "Milking" it? I take offense in anyone saying I haven't paid my dues and haven't earned my benefits when I come of age. I may not work full time after I retire, but I will have "side" job so I don't drive my wife crazy. "Milking it" was a poor choice of words. My bad.
gmstrong -----------------
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,266 Likes: 2
Dawg Talker
|
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,266 Likes: 2 |
Yeah I had the same thing they called it spousal language. I had a family plan which covered the kids and was a supplementary to the wifes single plan.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,612
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,612 |
It wil only get worse - soon - when the boomers aren't contributing to the economy, and instead are milking it. Excuse me? I've paid into these programs for 44 years. I've never been on Welfare, briefly on Unemployment but have worked since I was 15. I did my time in the military because it thought it my duty to serve my country. How is that "Milking" it? I take offense in anyone saying I haven't paid my dues and haven't earned my benefits when I come of age. I may not work full time after I retire, but I will have "side" job so I don't drive my wife crazy. This is not an uncommon story. Unfortunately, I think you have to agree, you’d be better off financially if all the money you “put into the system” had been instead put into your own account. The money you “put into the system” is long gone. It has been spent by congressional mismanagement over the last 44 years. I'd say bordering on malfeasance. Your social security benefits will be paid by withholding from current workers. Lot’s of retiring baby boomers. Not lots of current workers. Houston. We have a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 39,495 Likes: 960
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 39,495 Likes: 960 |
Are you a old timer on a new registration? Seems I know you.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,126 Likes: 1048
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,126 Likes: 1048 |
Lot’s of retiring baby boomers. Not lots of current workers.
Houston. We have a problem. When more than half the population does not pay taxes, you bet it's a problem.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
#GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 Likes: 280
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 Likes: 280 |
Lot’s of retiring baby boomers. Not lots of current workers.
Houston. We have a problem. When more than half the population does not pay taxes, you bet it's a problem. Of course it's a problem, but what IS the problem? Is the problem that the lower employed aren't taxed enough given their income... or is it that despite working, their income isn't enough to justify taxing them?
yebat' Putin
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,822 Likes: 516
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,822 Likes: 516 |
I'd say the biggest issue is some pay no taxes, some pay some, and the rich pay a boatload. Okay.
You go right ahead and tell me: what is the right percentage to pay - and you know full well the gov't. wastes most money on....gov't.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 Likes: 280
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 Likes: 280 |
and you know full well the gov't. wastes most money on....gov't. Going out of order here... but you will never get an argument from me about that... I'd say the biggest issue is some pay no taxes, some pay some, and the rich pay a boatload. Okay.
You go right ahead and tell me: what is the right percentage to pay I don't know what the "right" percentage is... Tens of thousands of Walmart employees make $11/hour, which is $22,880 per year based on 40 hours per week... Walmarts CEO made $22 million last year... Shouldn't one pay next to nothing and the other pay a significant amount? Is there another way to do it that you can think of? Because if both paid the same % in taxes, it would take almost 1000 of the $11/hour folks to pay what one CEO pays... I know that those are the most extreme examples but the point is... maybe if the Walmart employees made, say $35k a year.. and the CEO (and dozens of other top execs) only made $5-$15 million... then we could justify having the tens of thousands making $35k pay more in taxes... In short, the really rich want to have their cake and eat it too.... they can make immense profits by paying their employees very little but then they will have to bear the brunt of the tax burden... or they could pay their employees more thus reducing their own income and pay less in taxes... but them making obscene incomes AND paying less in taxes, isn't a viable option.
yebat' Putin
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349
Hall of Famer
|
|
OP
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349 |
Lot’s of retiring baby boomers. Not lots of current workers.
Houston. We have a problem. When more than half the population does not pay taxes, you bet it's a problem. Of course it's a problem, but what IS the problem? Is the problem that the lower employed aren't taxed enough given their income... or is it that despite working, their income isn't enough to justify taxing them? Which is true excpet when talking about SS withholding. That money is not part of a tax return. SO if you work , you and your employer are paying into SS
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450
1st String
|
|
1st String
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450 |
And the rich have caps on their taxes. So many loopholes to allow millionaires and billionaires to get away with paying next to nothing.
I believe Bernie Sanders has a solution to this very problem.
"You're gonna do WHAT?!"
-Tim Robbins as Merlin in Top Gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15,888 Likes: 155
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15,888 Likes: 155 |
So the ACA leaves it up to the employers just like it was before the ACA. Got it. Yep. Huge improvement. I know your joking, and actually in this regard it's not. Individual companies can now penalize their employees with a per mo fee tacked on their premiums if their spouse had refused their insurance coverage at their work years ago and choose their spouses insurance instead. Now forcing spouses to carry different ins carriers then what they had for years before or pay the fees.
Last edited by PerfectSpiral; 05/31/18 11:52 AM.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,612
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,612 |
kingo above: Which is true except when talking about SS withholding. That money is not part of a tax return. SS is on the 1040s for self-employed. "Self-Employment tax". Not only that, but self-employed get to pay all the SS withholding. (not fifty/fifty like salaried) Doesn't that sound like fun? 442 above: So many loopholes to allow millionaires and billionaires to get away with paying next to nothing. It's actually not as bad as many politicians make it sound. A lot of income is not taxed to encourage behavior that is good for society. For instance, you could buy Cleveland Municipal Bonds. (in effect loaning money to city of Cleveland) The interest you receive is tax free. (federal tax-free - zero income on 1040) If you were rich enough to buy enough Cleveland Muni Bonds to receive $1,000,000 interest per year, you would pay zero tax on this income.  (But probably not a good investment. Probably better to buy taxable corporate bonds) (I did get a C+ in FIN101 so I know what I'm talking about. Well, actually it was an I (incomplete) but if I had taken the final I'm sure I could have got a C+)(C- at least)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,834 Likes: 158
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,834 Likes: 158 |
So the ACA leaves it up to the employers just like it was before the ACA. Got it. Exactly
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,048 Likes: 138
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,048 Likes: 138 |
I am not SS. Wife and I paid into our 403b and paid more to annuity turned into an IRA. The insurance issues, especially meds are hurting us. Insurers are really getting stroked and it has hurt us annually since our retirement. Part of that is pharmacy benefits management the pols protect.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,126 Likes: 1048
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,126 Likes: 1048 |
...The insurance issues, especially meds are hurting us. Insurers are really getting stroked and it has hurt us annually since our retirement. Part of that is pharmacy benefits management the pols protect. There are things to try that might lower your medication costs, hopefully something here might help you: 1) Go to the website of the manufacturer and see what coupons or copay assistance they offer. You can call them and plead your case....this does work sometimes. 2) Have your physicians office submit a prior auth for the medication. Many times the prescribed medication isn't on the formulary of the insurance company and they will approve it if the paperwork is filled out. If not, ask the insurance company which lower cost alternatives they will approve. They may recommend something the doc hasn't considered. 3) Ask your doc if he has/can get coupons, vouchers or samples. 4) Ask him if there is a generic version available 5) Call different pharmacies and see what their prices are. Discounts and prices can vary greatly. Sometimes meds can be cheaper without using your insurance.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
#GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,445 Likes: 1430
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,445 Likes: 1430 |
SO if you work , you and your employer are paying into SS Only until you hit SS cap limit of $128,700 on your gross pay (for year 2018). Once you hit that threshold the SS tax is no longer deducted from your earnings. I remember back in 2012 when when the limit was around $110,000 and then you were no longer taxed on SS. The maximum limit continues to increase each year.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349
Hall of Famer
|
|
OP
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,349 |
SO if you work , you and your employer are paying into SS Only until you hit SS cap limit of $128,700 on your gross pay (for year 2018). Once you hit that threshold the SS tax is no longer deducted from your earnings. I remember back in 2012 when when the limit was around $110,000 and then you were no longer taxed on SS. The maximum limit continues to increase each year. SO youre saying the people complaining that poorer people dont pay SS taxes is actually wrong and the exact opposite is true?
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,376 Likes: 457
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,376 Likes: 457 |
Because of my income I get my Lyrica and diabetes medication free, from the manufacturer.
The income guidelines are actually pretty high for their patient assistance.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,048 Likes: 138
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,048 Likes: 138 |
Thanks for the solid advice. I am on a number of drugs and maintenance. I use generics. I also got picked up for one drug by a foundation to help older folks with fixed income to subsidize some high cost things. My pharmacy had to change because of the benefits manager middle man who was going to charge an extra tenner above the cost of drug and co-pay for each prescription, only 30 days allowed at a time. My current pharmacy will compare and price match with some others in town which helps. What drives me a little crazy is the formulary and drug list keeps changing. used to negotiate directly with insurance suppliers for our district. Pretty lousy experience. I am at the mercy of our pension setup as is the wife. Thankful for what I have, but money wasters and gougers in our opinion and experience.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,834 Likes: 158
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,834 Likes: 158 |
...The insurance issues, especially meds are hurting us. Insurers are really getting stroked and it has hurt us annually since our retirement. Part of that is pharmacy benefits management the pols protect. There are things to try that might lower your medication costs, hopefully something here might help you: 1) Go to the website of the manufacturer and see what coupons or copay assistance they offer. You can call them and plead your case....this does work sometimes. 2) Have your physicians office submit a prior auth for the medication. Many times the prescribed medication isn't on the formulary of the insurance company and they will approve it if the paperwork is filled out. If not, ask the insurance company which lower cost alternatives they will approve. They may recommend something the doc hasn't considered. 3) Ask your doc if he has/can get coupons, vouchers or samples. 4) Ask him if there is a generic version available 5) Call different pharmacies and see what their prices are. Discounts and prices can vary greatly. Sometimes meds can be cheaper without using your insurance. THe lowest cost Meds I've found are at Costco.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,960 Likes: 3
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,960 Likes: 3 |
Just clicking,
Shouldn’t a superpower have some of the best health care?
Billions to pharmaceuticals, pages to doctors on golf courses. $5,000 for a random injury
There are zero reasons the United States of America, should not be at the forefront of medicine. Where is this super power?
President - Fort Collins Browns Backers
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450
1st String
|
|
1st String
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 450 |
Just clicking,
Shouldn’t a superpower have some of the best health care?
Billions to pharmaceuticals, pages to doctors on golf courses. $5,000 for a random injury
There are zero reasons the United States of America, should not be at the forefront of medicine. Where is this super power? Exactly, well said. This is where my wife and I say sarcastically in unison, "God bless America".
"You're gonna do WHAT?!"
-Tim Robbins as Merlin in Top Gun
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 Likes: 280
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 Likes: 280 |
Shouldn’t a superpower have some of the best health care? We do, we always have.. if you can afford it. In those studies that rank nations in healthcare, the US typically doesn't fall down the list because the quality is bad, they fall down the list because access is bad. The two biggest problems the US has with healthcare are access.. and bureaucratic red tape that forces us to wait years longer than most other countries to get new meds and services on line...
yebat' Putin
|
|
|
DawgTalkers.net
Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Health Insurance
|
|
