Camilla/Art: A most excellent suggestion, as the cost,
especially of the newer meds, is staggering. Imagine
how impossible it must be for those poor souls without
adequate med coverage in their insurance plan...or
those without insurance. Carole H.
--- Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> FRIENDS--some time ago, Art Hirsch posted about
> getting a breakdown of the
> cost of his PD meds, and that this could be used as
> an advocacy tool in
> trying to explain the costs to society of PD.
>
> Taking his lead, I asked the Merck-Medco mail order
> company, where Peter's
> insurance gives us excellent Rx coverage, for a
> printout of costs, after
> the deductible this year.
>
> Subtracting the few non-pd meds, and starting in
> March ( the $100. out of
> pocket having been met) the total to 9/13/99 was a
> stunning $ 6,186.07 paid
> by the insurer, and a co-payment of $84.50 on our
> part.
> (I said this was excellent coverage didn't I?
> Generics are free, though
> they will cost $4.50 max. after 1/1/00 and brand
> names, now $2.00 will be
> $9.00 max.--those are the current drugstore prices
> for Rxs not ordered by
> mail.)
>
> I think these figures of cost to insurers--or
> lacking good insurance, to
> patients--can be used with legislators in pointing
> out *one* of the
> elements of cost for PD.
>
> Any ideas (PAN???) about the most effective way to
> present this sort of
> info to Congress?
> {And I feel somewhat guilty about this wonderful
> coverage, when so many
> have none--Peter was very lucky to work for a state
> university with a great
> retirement insurance program.}
>
> Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 81/70/55
> Oxford, Ohio
> http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
> "Ask me about the CARE list
> for
> Caregivers of Parkinsonians
> ! "
>
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