Ripping off Medicare: A month ago my skin Doctor prescribed two tubes of ointment both roughly the size of medium sized tubes of toothpaste.One was an anti fungal and the other a...

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

A month ago my skin Doctor prescribed two tubes of ointment both roughly the size of medium sized tubes of toothpaste.One was an anti fungal and the other a steroid creme. This was for an Athletes foot problem. This week I got my monthly Medicare statement as to what they paid for them. I was floored, they cost our Govt. $500.00 What a rip off by the manufacturers.
No wonder we are in such dept. :thumbdown:

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I know just what you mean. My wife just passed away on the 11th of this month. She was only in the hospital two days when they put her in a nursing home. The bills Ive been getting are in the thousands. My ins co has been paying most of them. Don't know what people do that don't have ins.

RS Loc: W Columbia, SC

pbearperry wrote:

A month ago my skin Doctor prescribed two tubes of ointment both roughly the size of medium sized tubes of toothpaste.One was an anti fungal and the other a steroid creme. This was for an Athletes foot problem. This week I got my monthly Medicare statement as to what they paid for them. I was floored, they cost our Govt. $500.00 What a rip off by the manufacturers.
No wonder we are in such dept. :thumbdown:

I agree with you on how the medical industry/field is so much of a 'rip-off' these days.
It really upsets me with all the medical ads now on TV telling people to 'ask your doctor about' such-and-such.
If you ask, the doctor will use the story that he didn't prescribe it, you asked for it and they want to appease your wishes.
Then, of course, they get a nice 'kick-back' from the medical company.
What happened to the days when doctors 'cared' for their patients? (Oh, I know there are some out there, but . . . )

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

PBerry
Just asking - what Rx plan do you have?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

pbearperry wrote:

I was floored, they cost our Govt. $500.00 What a rip off by the manufacturers.
No wonder we are in such dept. :thumbdown:

Right. They can charge whatever they want, and they fight tooth and nail to keep medications from going generic. Of course, you have to consider who makes the laws that govern these companies.

retiredsgt Loc: Red Lion Pa.

"...you have to consider who makes the laws that govern these companies." And Who Voted for those IDIOTS!

KoniOmegaflex Loc: Central KY

My condolences. I pray that God would comfort you.

Jim McDonald Loc: Ellsinore, Mo.

And then there is my insurance company that will not cover one of my prescriptions because I'm too old....I think my health provider has a better chance of knowing what I do or do not need than some pc mouse mover in a office who knows where.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

Thank Obamacare for the sharp rise in drugs and medical what a bargain from Obumbel.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

bebo1998 wrote:

PBerry
Just asking - what Rx plan do you have?

Bluecross Medex

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

My Wife and I have been on Medicare for four years. Since I've been on Medicare, I've watched two of my prescriptions go from a $35.00 co pay to $100.00 for each one. We're still trying to figure out what the hell Medicare actually pay's for. My only advice is...stay healthy.

rcolmansr60

I paid $125 for generic nasal spray. Now it's OTC for about $25 BRAND NAME

Dkmccp

On the other hand, we just finished doing a heart transplant on Friday on a 4 kg. baby that was a few weeks old. The baby was born with a terminal heart defect and went on ECMO for a couple of weeks. She had a significant stroke but recovered significant function. We then transitioned her to an LVAD early last week....a device that takes over the function of the left ventricle and pumps blood throughout the body. Amazingly, we got a heart for her on Friday. It took 6 people to safely transport this baby from the ICU to the OR for her transplant. At times there were 17 people in the OR working on this babies behalf. This little girl now has a chance at life that she didn't have a few days ago. Expensive? You bet. What would you do if it was your baby or your grandchild? Yes, there are many flaws in our medical system in this country...some are bordering on criminal. But....in some countries, this baby would be gone by now....

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

Dkmccp wrote:

On the other hand, we just finished doing a heart ... (show quote)

This country can still save money and save baby's! Dishonesty should never be condoned!

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

Hal81 wrote:

I know just what you mean. My wife just passed away on the 11th of this month. She was only in the hospital two days when they put her in a nursing home. The bills Ive been getting are in the thousands. My ins co has been paying most of them. Don't know what people do that don't have ins.

Hal - my sympathy goes out to you.