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First Seniority has sent a letter to its subscribers telling them about the $200 per quarter "benefit". Many subscribers who did not use $71 per quarter on prescription drugs were opting out of that part of the plan. Effectively, the cap limits the insurance companies risk and offloads the members using the higher amounts. Also, the copay is $8 but not added into the $800 total or $200/quarter. Members who had been opting out now get the "benefit". Of course, they are the same ones who didn't use the "benefit". Some communities offer a program which provides some prescription benefits, but it is related to income. Spouses should make out individual applications. Sometimes, one spouse (usually wife) may be eligible while the other is not. Check with your Council on Aging. Raphaela Rozanski On Tue, 20 Oct 1998 20:05:10 EDT Rose Rowton <[log in to unmask]> writes: >Hi everyone, > I read this article in todays paper. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy tried >but >failed to block Medicare health maintenance organization in Mass. from >limiting prescription benefis. More than 2000.000 elderly in Mass are >enrolled in Medicare HMOs. Haarvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health >Plan >and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ma have said they plan to limit >prescription >drug coverage next year for those on Medicare. > A federal judge is expected to rule at the end of this month on a >state >suit against Harvard Pilgrim and its plan to limit prescription drug >payment >to $800. a year, beginning next year. > Can we do anything about this? Just one prescription of Eldepryl >is >$179.00 for one month. My husband's med's come to close to $400.00 a >month. >I contacted Harvard and they said you don't pay the $71.00 anymore but >you are >limited to 200.00 a quarter. This means you pay for anything over >$200. each >month yourself.. > Things are definately getting worse in the Health Care field. I >have >called my representative and spoke to him. > Maybe if more people call it will make a differance. They said >they have >received many calls from unhappy seniors. This applies to California >also, I >was told. > Sorry for the long post. I thought it was important for people in >Ma. & >California >Sincerely >Rose >