I'm so pi**ed at Congress over Medicare Part D, I could.......

[napi21]

Hubby is going to be 65 next week. He enrolled in Medicare Part A as demanded by both Medicare and his employer, and I thought all was under control because he's going to continue working until Jan. 09 and he has HC coverage & prescription coverage too. Last night, he brought a booklet home titled "2007 Summary of Material Modifications Group Benefits Plans" from work.

NOW I find out that even though he has drug coverage at work, the Company has declared their plan Non-Creditable, so under the "New Part D laws, we have to subscribe to a Part D insurance program even though we'll get NOTHING in return! If we don't enroll in one, he will be penalized 1% per month for each month he wasn't enrolled for as long as he has medicare!

All his prescriptions are currently covered by his drug plan (which we PAY FOR!) and the reason they say the plan is not creditable is because it has a cap of $6,000 a year.

I realize $20 a month is not going to put us in the poor house, but why do I have to pay for something where I get NO BENEFIT!

After 8 phone calls to 6 different places today, I'm angrier than I've ever been!

The damn b'tds in Congress are just giving the damn insurance companies something for NOTHING!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SharonRB]

1. Not that this helps, but it's not his company that makes the

determination as to whether the plan is creditable or not. Medicare rules say that if the plan is not at least as good as Medicare Part D it is non-creditable. If it is at least as good as Medicare Part D, then it is creditable.

No matter how you look at it, Medicare Part D was an awful piece of legislation and we need to do something about changing it as soon as we're totally back in charge.

[sandnsea]

4. His company chose the plan

So it wouldn't be creditable so retirees would be forced into Medicare Part D. It's cheaper for the company that way.

[napi21]

5. I'm not blaming his employer! I'm blaming Congress!

I simply never heard the word NON- Creditable before, and it's blowing my mind!

I understand why the company put a limit on an annual expense per employee. Some drugs are priced way out of control! But to penalize people because their coverage is good, just not quite good enough is total BS!

[soothsayer]

2. AARP sold seniors down the river if you ask me. where the hell were they?

[nosmokes]

6. AARP is an insurance company.

where did you expect them down?

[partylessinOhio]

3. We are screwed. Medicare is a crock.

I just recently got jumped on and more or less called a liar, a dummy and really stupid for saying they don't live up to their own rules and pay for covered medical care. But they don't.

I was always under the impression that older persons on Medicare were completely covered. At one time I guess they were. But Congress under the Republicans have cut down a beneficial program to what is left today.

I don't get social security so I have to send $93.50 to Medicare every month for Part B. I don't ever use that much a month in medical care because I can't afford to go to the doctor and have the bill rejected by Medicare and have to pay the deductibles and such myself. My last doctor visit was in January - so February to September, my usage of this program as been ZERO but cost me $748 in premiums.

I know what you said is true and I know it would make anyone angry.

[jwirr]

7. Medicare is not the problem here it is the Part D that is not working.

That is the only part of Medicare that is privatized and it is a real mess.

[Bitwit1234]

8. I have Medicare. I got a letter from my retirement health insurance

advising me that I did not have to subscribe to the Medicare prescription plan. They said my plan gave complete coverage and I would be covered. My retirement plan covers any medication (if it is generic I have to get that for 5.00 per 45 day supply) If it is not generic, it has to be approved, and it usually is and I pay 15.00 for a 45 day supply. I suppose I am fortunate.

[napi21]

10. You are EXTREMELY fortunate! I thought I was too, until last night!

We've never had a prescription not approved, and I know we don't even come close to their cap of $6,000!

I'm going to write to my Rep, and Congressman, AND to each of the Dem Candidate! There are sooo many people who don't know anything about these stupid little loopholes until they are suddenly smacked upside the head with them! They go along fat, dumb and happy, thinking it's sad for those who don't have coverage, but thank God it's not them! I honestly wonder how many congress critters and Senators really KNOW all of what happens to the average middle class American? Well, I'M going to make sure they know about this one!

[peaches2003]

9. Donut Hole

My husband takes several expensive drugs and he went in the donut hole in August. We will be paying full price ($400-500/month) for the rest of the year. I take generic so will not go into the donut hole, unless of course I develop another illness. The Dems have got to do something about this donut hole- Repugs put it in for the insurance and drug co's. However, regular Medicare Part B- great! I had $20,000 surgery this yr and paid not one penny to docs or hospital.