| | Kewanee, Illinois 61443
April 25, 2006
Dear People:
I am a disabled 56 year woman
who has multiple disabilities, including depression, fibromyalgia and 3 kinds
of arthritis. I take drugs for ERT, Depression, Restless Leg Syndrome,
constant pain, all kinds of vitamin and mineral supplements (which are not
included in any reimbursement program, even though I need them medically after
having had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery) and ADD And, to top it all off, I
have developed hypoglycemia as a direct result of the gastric bypass and must
eat certain food (which do not include anything that is less expensive...I
cannot eat rice, pasta or bread). Since I am disabled, and not yet 55, my
choices for help (both for RX and medigap) are very limited to two or three
companies. I have had Humana Gold, and I have one primary care (at $20 a
visit), and each specialist (6 of them) are $35 a visit. I have been on
several of the drug companies “helping hand” programs, where I got my drugs for
nothing or a small fee. All of those programs have been discontinued because
of Medicare D. The Humana program is covering most of the drugs for a $5, $30
or $60 copay. My tests are 20% of charge copay. When I reach the 3rd
tier for the drugs, it will be even more expensive. I am spending, between
doctor's visits, drug copay and test co-pay, almost $400 a month. I am between
a rock and a hard place and have had to dip into my 401K and will have to pay
taxes on my withdrawals next year, and have no idea where I will get that
money. I also have very little 401K left, so have only about 2 more months of
payments to make easily, then I will be struggling to make ends meet. As it
is, I do not go out much, and when I do, my brother and sister-in-law usually
pay my way, and I feel like I cannot take care of myself (and after a lifetime
of not depending on anyone, it is a blow.)
So, the upshot is that this
new program is unacceptable. It is confusing (to say the least) and
intolerably convoluted at best. I am not sure who actually invented this
program, but I am sure it was someone who was either brilliant (we are talking
Einstein here) and wanted everyone else to know how brilliant, as he (or she)
would be the only ones to be able to figure it out, or someone who was tied to
drug companies to make it as complicated as possible, so they would end up with
more money.
Because I had to wait two
years for Medicare to kick in, I was in great financial straits trying to pay for
all the medical needs I had, but was so relieved when Medicare kicked in. I am
not so relieved anymore. “D” has made it impossible for me to continue on the
free (or low cost) individual drug programs I was on. Humana has changed their
formulary twice in the last 3 months, and I have to tell you, I am almost
positive that once the 15th of May comes along, and we are not able
to switch, the formulary on every single Medicare “D” insurer will change
again. This is probably the worst system you could have implemented.
I urge you, at the very
least, to please extend the May 15th deadline. I urge you to follow
through and actually simplify (not complicate) the program to an extent that
everyone can understand it. I have a BS degree, and even with having a degree
in BS, I cannot make out what was the ultimate goal of this program.
I am also worried about those
of us who are confused or forgetful or challenged with mental illness not under
control with medication. Mine is under control (at least at the moment when I
can afford my meds), and I do not understand these ill-defined rules and
regulations, so there is no hope for those who are the slightest bit confused.
Please, I urge you:
- Extend the deadline for sign up to
August at least.
- Do not penalize those who have not
signed up with a “forever” monetary penalty
- Revise this mess and make it
comprehensible, and easy to interpret.
Thank you for your time. If
you have any further questions or wish any further comments, please feel free
to contact me below.
Alice Rose Kieft
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