Supplimental insurance for Senior Citizens
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
United States
October 13, 2011 1:13pm CST
Do Senior Citizens truly need supplimental insurance?
I'm in the middle of a debate on this on my IL say they NEED the supplimental insurance because medicare doesn't cover everything, doesn't cover alot of meds & it doesn't cover all the supplies a diabetic needs. And they insist on going to this family ran pharmacy (yes I believe in small business as long as they can compete pricewise with the big boys, gotta look out for your wallet first KWIM?) who of course they get brand name and pay top dollar for. Though they will get their heart pills from a Canadian Pharmacy company otherwise it's the mom&pop pharmacy.
Now my Aunt says they are wasting their money because they could use the generic plans that stores like Target, K-mart, Wal-mart have where you can get a months supply for a few dollars. And even take the list into the Dr office and have the Dr prescribe them a cheaper med that will do the same job. As well as having a part D coverage which costs next to nothing.
So who is right?
Are the IL's to stubborn and lazy to look at all their options to stop wasting thousands a year on this supplimental insurance?
2 people like this
3 responses
@samafayla33 (1856)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Disabled people too, not many disabled people get the same kind of insurance as senior citizens. Some just get medicaid and they rely on patient first when they need more help like hospital insurance, but if you have a pre-existing condition and you don't have medicare, it hurts. Many people who are disabled mentally and veterans aren't getting proper care either and they have needs like everyone else. :( Mom and pop pharmacy works hard and knows almost everyone and i love it too!
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
16 Oct 11
I totally understand where you are coming from. I hate that big sotres have taken over and run the little guy out of business. Then I have to patronize those big guys and know someone is out of a business and income thanks to them. But when all is said and done....money is the deciding factor. If they can afford to pay the high prices for the meds...that is their choice,but they'd better do a long term budget before they make that decision. I prefer to honor the little guy when I can, but sadly, my budget makes most of my decisions. If they have a problem "leaving " that store...maybe take their meds elsewhere and atell them why, but then shop for other things there. IT is a hard thing to do...but when all is said and done...bottom line...if they can afford it, why not. But if they can't, they need to get into reality and make some changes or shortly down the road they are going to be sorry.
@GardenGerty (169483)
• United States
14 Oct 11
If they take lots of meds and have various conditions, they probably need the supplemental insurance. They still could go a less expensive route for the meds, though. Now, hubby is on no meds, and has nothing wrong with him and only sees the doctor rarely. No point in supplemental for him, we have decided.
