Does Medicare Cover Restasis?
Original Post by nycexplorer:
What are you hearing, nycexp, about the status of the prescription drug plan?
Is it still scheduled to start January 1, 2006?
According to the Democratic National Committee, it is.
The plan: * is estimated to save the average American family of four $2500 per year * provides 80% coverage of prescription drugs * covers catastrophic drug coverage (if you are out of pocket more than $5,000 over the course of a year) * will prevent pharmaceutical companies from raising their prices because they are forced to compete with Medicare * ensures that the elderly can afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy and independent * gives people with chronic health problems, like prostate and breast cancer, more choices in the drugs they take So, does anyone know if it is still scheduled to start January 1, 2006?
I just saw this on the news yesterday. It sounds really good, but I was wondering if it is still planned to start on January 1, 2006. I am a little skeptical.
I would like to know the status of this also, and if medicare would cover it. Thanks.
Original Post by lubecyborg:
What are you hearing, nycexp, about the status of the prescription drug plan?
Is it still scheduled to start January 1, 2006?
According to the Democratic National Committee, it is.
The plan: * is estimated to save the average American family of four $2500 per year * provides 80% coverage of prescription drugs * covers catastrophic drug coverage (if you are out of pocket more than $5,000 over the course of a year) * will prevent pharmaceutical companies from raising their prices because they are forced to compete with Medicare * ensures that the elderly can afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy and independent * gives people with chronic health problems, like prostate and breast cancer, more choices in the drugs they take So, does anyone know if it is still scheduled to start January 1, 2006?
This plan has been in the works for many years.
It sounds great but the big HMO's are going to fight this tooth and nail.
They are going to put all they have in it so that it doesn't pass.
And they can afford to put alot into it.
They want to keep the money in their hands.
Original Post by japhet:
This plan has been in the works for many years.
It sounds great but the big HMO's are going to fight this tooth and nail.
They are going to put all they have in it so that it doesn't pass.
And they can afford to put alot into it.
They want to keep the money in their hands.
I am confused.
Are you saying that the HMOs are going to fight this because they are afraid that it will take money out of their hands?
If so, that makes sense.
But if you are saying that they just want to keep the money in their hands, that makes no sense to me.
I don't understand why they want to keep the money in their hands.
That would be a bad business move, no matter what business you are in.
The Prescription Drug Plan is a political fight, not a business fight. It is a fight for votes, not a fight for business. It is a fight that is going to be fought out largely in the courts. The HMOs are the dominant player in the health field, that is why they are fighting the Prescription Drug Plan. They would rather fight it now in the pre-election season than be forced to make some small adjustments in 2008, after they have gained more power in Congress and the White House.
This plan has been in the works for many years. It sounds great but the big HMO's are going to fight this tooth and nail. They are going to put all they have in it so that it doesn't pass. And they can afford to put alot into it. They want to keep the money in their hands. I will have to look into this. I didn't know that all the money for the prescription drug plan was going to be coming from the HMOs. I thought that the prescription plan was going to be a Government-run program.
This plan has been in the works for many years. It sounds great but the big HMO's are going to fight this tooth and nail. They are going to put all they have in it so that it doesn't pass. And they can afford to put alot into it. They want to keep the money in their hands. They want the money in their hands because they are going to be the ones paying for it. The HMO's get their money from the Government. So it is just a matter of them paying for it with their own money instead of the Government's money.
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