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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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 Posted: 07/31/05 - 11:36 Post subject: insurance question
I don't understand insurance coverage and I've been spoiled by some of the best all inclusive health insurance for the last 5 years (I'll spare you the question--why am I leaving?)
New student plan, which, expectedly isn't going to be good, but hey its something:
When your health insurance says "Prescription program: Maximum coverage is $500" I can take that at face value, right? That the most they'll cover is $500, I'm assuming annually?
An example. I use Advair 250/50. It costs $180. If my plan says "$15 name brand drugs" we'll say my plan covers $165, I foot the $15 and that $165 is part of my annual $500, right?
If so, anyone know anything about ordering drugs from Canada?  
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TOsteve
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Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 1468
Location: Out for a run
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 11:48 Post subject:
I get all my drugs in Canada. 
I'm of no use here.
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 11:54 Post subject:
| TOsteve wrote: | I get all my drugs in Canada.
I'm of no use here. |
Want to get into the business of importing/exporting?
I know I use expensive drugs that have no generics, I guess I'm just trying to figure how much I can count on spending on them per month. I guess until I know better I'll bank on paying 100% and whatever they pay is gravy.
dude, why didn't I get married before doing this?? 
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runaroundsue
Member
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Joined: 18 Sep 2002
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Location: supporting GREENer pastures
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 12:53 Post subject: Re: insurance question
| cherylpf wrote: | I don't understand insurance coverage and I've been spoiled by some of the best all inclusive health insurance for the last 5 years (I'll spare you the question--why am I leaving?)
New student plan, which, expectedly isn't going to be good, but hey its something:
When your health insurance says "Prescription program: Maximum coverage is $500" I can take that at face value, right? That the most they'll cover is $500, I'm assuming annually?
An example. I use Advair 250/50. It costs $180. If my plan says "$15 name brand drugs" we'll say my plan covers $165, I foot the $15 and that $165 is part of my annual $500, right?
If so, anyone know anything about ordering drugs from Canada? |
$180 for a month supply? It'll depend on how often the plan lets the drug be dispensed. They can really stick it to you if they only let the pharmacist dispense one month's supply/biweekly.....or whatever......so then you have to pay the $15 each time. Last time I got an antibiotic for my son who needed to be on them for 3 weeks. They only would give me one week at a time. In essence, my copay portion was more than the cost of the drug this way. The pharmacist thought this was quite humorous.
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 13:02 Post subject: Re: insurance question
| runaroundsue wrote: | | cherylpf wrote: | I don't understand insurance coverage and I've been spoiled by some of the best all inclusive health insurance for the last 5 years (I'll spare you the question--why am I leaving?)
New student plan, which, expectedly isn't going to be good, but hey its something:
When your health insurance says "Prescription program: Maximum coverage is $500" I can take that at face value, right? That the most they'll cover is $500, I'm assuming annually?
An example. I use Advair 250/50. It costs $180. If my plan says "$15 name brand drugs" we'll say my plan covers $165, I foot the $15 and that $165 is part of my annual $500, right?
If so, anyone know anything about ordering drugs from Canada? |
$180 for a month supply? It'll depend on how often the plan lets the drug be dispensed. They can really stick it to you if they only let the pharmacist dispense one month's supply/biweekly.....or whatever......so then you have to pay the $15 each time. Last time I got an antibiotic for my son who needed to be on them for 3 weeks. They only would give me one week at a time. In essence, my copay portion was more than the cost of the drug this way. The pharmacist thought this was quite humorous. |
Are you kidding thats ridiculous! I hate insurance...
Yeah, $180/month for the one I use ~8 months a year and a fabulous $250/month for the one I use during my peak allergy/asthma season. w00t
But, do you think I can pay $15 per until I hit $500, then I pay the full cost over and above that $500 max?
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brie k
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 13:11 Post subject: Re: insurance question
| cherylpf wrote: |
Are you kidding thats ridiculous! I hate insurance...
Yeah, $180/month for the one I use ~8 months a year and a fabulous $250/month for the one I use during my peak allergy/asthma season. w00t
But, do you think I can pay $15 per until I hit $500, then I pay the full cost over and above that $500 max? |
Yes, that is how it works. Pretty crappy plan. How much is your premium per month, if you don't mind me asking?
This is my biggest worry with the upcoming divorce. We have the best plan with Cigna through Kramer's employer, and it is unlikely that a judge is going to make Kramer keep me on his insurance, esp. given that he has a baby with another woman (and I am fairly certain they will want to marry once he is divorced). We have a student policy at Saint Mary's, but it is ridiculously expensive and doesn't cover squat.
I also hate ins. companies! Urg!
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 13:17 Post subject: Re: insurance question
| brie k wrote: | | cherylpf wrote: |
Are you kidding thats ridiculous! I hate insurance...
Yeah, $180/month for the one I use ~8 months a year and a fabulous $250/month for the one I use during my peak allergy/asthma season. w00t
But, do you think I can pay $15 per until I hit $500, then I pay the full cost over and above that $500 max? |
Yes, that is how it works. Pretty crappy plan. How much is your premium per month, if you don't mind me asking?
This is my biggest worry with the upcoming divorce. We have the best plan with Cigna through Kramer's employer, and it is unlikely that a judge is going to make Kramer keep me on his insurance, esp. given that he has a baby with another woman (and I am fairly certain they will want to marry once he is divorced). We have a student policy at Saint Mary's, but it is ridiculously expensive and doesn't cover squat.
I also hate ins. companies! Urg! |
Its included in the tuition, I think less than $100 a month, and you have to have elaborate documentation of another insurance plan to opt out. I mean, no student plans are good, but it IS something I guess. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to be responsible for $$$ wise for my asthma drugs.
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brie k
Member
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 13:27 Post subject: Re: insurance question
| cherylpf wrote: |
Its included in the tuition, I think less than $100 a month, and you have to have elaborate documentation of another insurance plan to opt out. I mean, no student plans are good, but it IS something I guess. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to be responsible for $$$ wise for my asthma drugs. |
Month 1 - $15 copay, they pay $165 = $180.
Month 2 - $15 copay, they pay $165 = $330 them.
Month 3 - $15 copay, they pay $165 = $495 them.
Month 4 - $175 you, they pay $5 = $500 them.
Months 5-8 - $180 you, total of $720.
So, you pay: $940 total for the year for that one prescription. Plus your $100+/- a month, even if it does come out of tuition, you're still paying it. At least it is not out-of-pocket right now though, and yes, it is better than not having any coverage. Do they have a better Rx plan that you might be able to get? Or can your financial aid be upped to cover this expense?
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ShannonG
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Joined: 20 Mar 2003
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Posted: 07/31/05 - 14:08 Post subject:
God bless universal health care. I pay $50/month and other than prescriptions I am completely covered for anytning (except non necessary plastic surgery, of course).
Since I've never been on prescription meds, I don't know what they cost but I'm thinking up here ashtma meds would be a lot less than $180/month.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 08/01/05 - 11:26 Post subject:
I think we could form some kind of relay... blue buys the drugs in Manitoba, shuttles them to Wobegon, I take 'em, head to Mpls and meet up with Pug, he heads south, then riff-raffer, by riff-raffer, the underground Canadian drug railroad is born!! 
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