new year insurance co-pay increase

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lehill1 - 16 Jan 2006 23:31 GMT

Greetings everyone.

I am currently on about 10 medications. I work for a very large public
school system. As of January 1, 2006, my co-pays for my drugs is increasing
from about 225 dollars a month to about 600 dollars a month. Did this happen
to anyone else? Someone suggested that I look into getting my drugs in
Canada. I know NOTHING about that. Is that even legal?

I am looking at the possibility of getting my drugs through the mail (via
the insurance company) - if I can get some of my drugs classified as
"maintenance" drugs. I would then pay for 2 months - but receive 3 months
worth of drugs. This of course requires TONS of paperwork, and
approval...blah blah blah...

Any advice?????

Lisa

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dropbear1@gmail.com - 17 Jan 2006 02:19 GMT

Hi lisa,

There are quite a few drug companies in canada (canadadrugs.com) but
you might end up paying more since they wont take your insurance. You
might want to look into changing your insurance during open enrollment,
if possible, to a health plan with better drug coverage. Another option
is to take a vacation to mexico and stock-up on meds while you're down
there, but make sure you have a current U.S. docs prescription for all
those meds: not to actually buy the meds, but in case you get searched
by customs on the way back.
I have Kaiser insurance here in california, and I get my meds by mail;
a 3 month supply for a $10 copay. I can re-order online and can even
send my doctor email. Kaiser gets a lot of crap for their supposedly
poor business practice, but I've only had good experiences with them.

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lehill1 - 17 Jan 2006 02:27 GMT

We just had open enrollment - but our options were limited... that's why the
increase in
co-pays. I will be looking in to the drugs by mail. I know that will save
me some money.

:-) Lisa
> Hi lisa,
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> send my doctor email. Kaiser gets a lot of crap for their supposedly
> poor business practice, but I've only had good experiences with them.

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Sherry - 18 Jan 2006 01:18 GMT

We are getting ready to switch (March 1st) open enrollment at Kaiser and our
company. The insurance we have now we can see any dr in the PPO group but
have deductibles, copay and a percentage to pay....way too much money
versuses what Kaiser offers. My husband has to have surgery and we just
can't afford to do it unless we switch insurance. Everyone in his company
that has Kaiser is more than happy with the insurance, the doctors, and the
hospital coverage. We do not have a Kaiser hospital in town or Modesto
(under construction) but is worth having to be hospitalized in Stockton if
it comes to that.

Glad to hear that someone else is happy with their coverage.

Hugs,
Sherry

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Nicole H - 17 Jan 2006 02:55 GMT

My husband also works for the state and our copays went up last year.
I get all meds (except those for acute conditions) via mail. It's really
not that difficult.. much easier than what it looks like. Call the customer
service number or register on their website. I have Blue Cross of CA.
Caremark is the pharmacy.

If you get your meds from Canada, you'll be paying cash rather than your
insurance paying for it. I've ordered some creams from there as they were
considered cosmetic and the insurance didn't pay for 'em.... with shipping
included, it was only a few dollars cheaper than Costco.
good luck
nicole

> Greetings everyone.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Lisa

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