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Taking Care of Mom (1) (2)
My mom is 72 and recently retired and is now living on a limited income. She has barely any retirement because she drew from it to take care of my father for five years before he died. She's in poor health with a number of chronic conditions, which require some pretty expensive prescription medicines to treat. When she had to sign up for Medicare D, she didn't really understand what she was doing so she picked a pretty terrible plan. A few of her really expensive medicines aren't even covered on her plan's formulary. And she's just reached her gap. Needless to say, she's freaking out because no one mentioned the gap when she signed up.

I'm doing my best to help her out. I just graduated college with a minor in gerontology so thankfully I know a bit about advocating on her behalf. I've talked to her doctors and asked if there aren't different (cheaper) medications she can take for her conditions. Not the newest, latest drug that has no generic counterpart. I hit her doctors up for as many free samples as they'll give me. I've applied to the Patient Assistant Programs on her behalf. However, usually after I jump through the hoops that the PAP's require, they tell me she's ineligible because her assets are too high. It's that measly retirement that's hampering her. It's not enough to live on but it's too much to qualify. It's disgraceful how those who fall in the middle of the income bracket are penalized. Thank god for the internet because I can find sites like this to help her out.
 
 
Tags: Caretaking, Medicare-Part-D, PAP\'s, Prescription-medicine
Posted By: Sushi Posted 3 Years, 11 months, 3 Weeks, 6 days ago Personal Story
All Votes: 3
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