This Is So Not Right

We received our new prescription benefits card and information through my husband's employer (which, by the way, used to be my employer also).

Normally we purchase our prescriptions four times a year and receive three months' worth of meds for the price of two months. That's how it used to work. Last year our prescription provider was the same as the health benefits provider. I guess they felt it was too overwhelming to handle both duties. For some ungodly reason, our prescription provider was changed for this year. And all I can say is, Oh boy, here we go again. I don't know whose decision it was to make the change, but I can tell you I am not very happy with it at all.

First of all, one of the medications that we both take has gone from $50 to $100 each. I wouldn't mind so much if it only affected just one of us, but that is not the case. Now, as a result, we will be paying $800 for the year rather than $400 for just that one prescription. What I cannot understand is the fact that our benefits did not change in any way shape or form. But because one provider charges double what the other one charges, we are at their mercy and must pay it. Some of the other pills are different in price also.

I e-mailed the new provider stating that if our benefits didn't change, why should we have to pay more for that one medication. They have yet to get back to me. Between the two of us we take 12 meds. I am thinking we are both going to have to re-evaluate this situation with both our doctors. This cannot go on.

I read in the paper daily about the horrors of the new Medicare Part D prescription plan and I just want to vomit. I dread the day we have to tackle that! Why can't this country get anything right when it comes to the health of its people? What the hell are we going to do when my husband no longer works and is no longer covered by an employer's plan? Actually the way things are going, it doesn't matter who covers you because everything is just getting so out of hand. It's almost as if the medical profession and the pill makers are holding the people of this country hostage. And it stinks.

And to make matters worse, if the cost of our medications are over $250 each time (and they certainly will be), they will have to contact me to make sure it is me ordering them with the check card they have on file. The last time that happened to me another prescription provider said they tried contacting me via phone. I suppose they only tried once because the pills never arrived and after awhile I called them questioning where the pills were. They had my e-mail address and my mailing address, but I guess they didn't think that far. After all, that was too easy.