WP: Problems Cited in Medicare Drug Benefit Sign-Up: On 1st Day...

[DeepModem Mom]

Problems Cited in Medicare Drug Benefit Sign-Up
On 1st Day, Seniors Report Confusion Over Choices, Frustration With Online Comparison Tool
By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 16, 2005; Page A02


Medicare beneficiaries for the first time began signing up for federally subsidized drug coverage yesterday, and early indications were that many will need an antidote for the outbreak of confusion and frustration that accompanied it.

The 43 million people eligible for the new benefit have at least 40 plans to pick from on average, reflecting the competition that Medicare officials say promotes lower costs -- but also more head-scratching. Moreover, one of the most efficient ways to get comparative information is via the Internet, a medium with which many seniors are uncomfortable or unfamiliar.

Annapolis resident Michele Ryan Crofoot, 66, a retired developer who considers herself savvy about both numbers and the Web, said she has been unable to figure out whether to switch to Medicare from her current drug coverage.

"You read all these things about 'Go to the computer and find these plans,' " said Crofoot, who has attended two seminars on the subject. "I've tried it, and I just get so frustrated. For me, it's slow, but it's hard for me to compare. I don't even know if I'm doing it right. . . . This is driving me crazy."

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said enrolling millions of people in the most significant new benefit in Medicare's 40-year history will be a "monumental challenge" but worth it....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501461.html

[Skink]

1. Donought holes anyone?

More people than not being advised against the benefit. That is if they can afford it.

[aquart]

2. 'Worth it," my ass.

It's fraud from start to finish.

[JDPriestly]

3. We don't take much medication, so I

couldn't see that joining would bring any benefit. I could not tell at what point your would break even between buying now or waiting. You pay a penalty for waiting, but it still seems the best course if you are not taking much medication. I could not figure out the explanations in order to figure the difference between paying now or waiting, however.

[Skink]

4. Krugman says if you don't need much it works..

It's only after you meet the ceiling you wish you didn't pay. I am paraphrasing though.

[CAG]

5. The repubs set it up to fail, so they can say "see I told you so"

witness the confusion among all of the plans, the fact that they BANNED the govt from negotiating prices with the drug companies (theres your tax money being spent well, and the peons on the right gripe about the left spending too much!!!!).

This is exactly what the Gingrich clan wants to do to all of the agencies they despise (veterans benefits, etc) : drain their funds and then tell the 'Murkin people about how the agency can't work, then privatize everything for big corporate profit. Coincidentally, they then retire from congress to serve on just those corporate boards they helped to enrich while in congress. Its funny how that works, huh?

[Mme. Defarge]

6. This plan is so confusing that

a local news channel set up a caller hot line to answer questions for potential applicants.

In another discussion thread that posed the question, "When did the current administration begin to unravel?", a number of responses had to do with the proposal to change Social Security. I mentioned the Medicare Part D bait and switch. After today, I think this really could be the sleeping giant.

[TaleWgnDg]

7. The confusion and the delivery means are reprehensible, period !

.
The confusion (caused by this legislation) and the (pharmaceutical corporate) delivery means are reprehensible, period. The Republican Party (filled w/ pharmaceutical kick-backs) should be hung out to dry with this loser.

Seniors will have pay-back time next November!



Bush tells Seniors what he thinks of them.

.

[moondust]

8. It was designed not to work.

If the damn thing works Republicans are liable to have to pay more taxes. Eeeeeeeeeeeeek!

We're sorry but this is set up to benefit of the poor drug companies.

[zann725]

9. If you call Social Security, you can't even get a HUMAN response.

They just tell you to GO TO your local Social Security office for answers. The huge booklet they mailed is useless.

And my initial assessment, it remained essentially unchanged. Most alternate "drug" plans (costing about$20/yr or more), offer about 10-20% discount off RETAIL drug prices. Staying on straight "Plan D" program, ONLY benefits recipients after $2,500-3,500 out-of-pocket "up front" cost to Seniors, OR Disabled. Which means, most Seniors will NOT be able to afford that first "deductible"...so will be paying FULL Retail price (or at most, 20% reduction from Retail price). And that is often ONLY with "generic" brands...which are notoriously not "consistent" in quality.

Capitalism at its best.

[Ontheinternets]

10. What if the drug companys raise thier prices,

will you still benefit from any of the plans?

[underpants]

11. Oh no they can't do that what with the competition and all

:eyes:

[underpants]

12. BEHOLD! The Supply Side JEEEESUS!!