First of the year insurance issues

what options did you have and why do you think they are dwindling? What can you do about it?

The markUP on Rxs is outrageous. My Chemo is mostly covered by Medicare part A. My part D is a joke. 90% of my prescriptions are not on their formulary.

can these links be helpful?
https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-prescription-drug-coverage-part-d/medicare-part-d-enrollment/questions-to-ask-when-comparing-part-d-plans
https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-prescription-drug-coverage-part-d/medicare-part-d-enrollment/changing-part-d-plans

be aware that pills in capsules or tablets can differ in price, there are pros and cons other than price-
if you get the generic version of a prescription, compare the ingredients to the original, are there substitutions, does it matter to you in which country the drug is made, if the components are resourced from various countries? who is the manufacturer?

I think it's foolish and dangerous to be so dependent on foreign suppliers for intermediates and active pharmaceuticals. I expect the manufacturer is the one who produces the active drug. Someone buying components and putting out a finished product is a compounder.

My first two prescriptions Atorvastatin and Metoprolol picked up today were both no cost.

I have changed each year and seen some silly pricing. From 40 cents to $1200 a month.

Unfortunately until the
Feds regulate Pharma in a logical way, these short cuts will be used

I don't know what the rate is for the skilled labor needed in a U. S. plant that manufactures pharmaceuticals is, but I'd posit that it's higher than in an out of the country plant. I don't think that they would waste time and talent making meds that WalMart sells for $4 a fill; or that my CVS pharmacy gives out at no cost to me. Still in the event of a SHTF or similar scenario we would still need to be in a position to supply the meds that our citizens need and take, regardless of cost.

I got a new bit of insight today. My daughter is a highly experienced RN currently working in a pharmacy doing med advice, injections as and general pharmacy work. She said over 50% of their workload since January 1st has been helping patients (not only on Medicare) through insurance transitions. It take an entire extra staff person to help manage the transition.

Her coworkers are frustrated, but as a former ER nurse, she says these changes are nothing compared the approval issues they had to deal with - often in life-or-death scenarios. So she gets assigned all the anxious or upset callers/customers (including her Mom.)

I didn't think to ask if her coworkers thought 2025 was more difficult than prior years - it is for me so far. One of my meds was approved for 15 months in September 2024, but due to a change in the Pharmacy Benefit Plan, I have to do it all over again now! In the same call, the rep informed me that this change will require new PA's for all 4 of the medications we just did a few months ago. Que horrible!