Here we are near Huntsville, Alabama. It is raining, but there is no snow to be seen. Yet, back at Camping World, Indianapolis, there are, depending on location, six to eight inches of snow blanketing frozen rain. Note in this photo taken from the Internet show pedestrians gingerly crossing Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis. Can you imagine eight inches of snow over this ice? Yuck.
I am sure the ski resorts in southern and northern Indiana are thrilled. I am also sure they are about the only ones that are happy.
Today, we drive a short distance to Red Bay, Alabama to Tiffin Motorhomes to check in and begin our upgrades and repairs.
John and I want to thank those who have placed Amazon orders through our blog. Each order reduces our large out of pocket expenses for Johns huge list of medications.
It has been reported in a Harvard University Medical School study that 57% of seniors that reach the doughnut hole stop taking their medications. They just cannot afford to pay for full price for their medicine.
For John, we choose to pay the huge monthly amount. It really cuts into our fulltime budget and has been since August, when John fell into that nasty hole.
Doughnuts are good, pastry doughnut holes are good, Medicare's doughnut holes are not so good! Very few extras, such as doughnuts have been purchased since August since John is on fourteen prescribed medications each day.
Thank you for stopping by to share your time with us.
God bless!
Listed below are purchases made through our Amazon link near the top of the blog. Thanks again!
Aerobie AeroPress Coffee Maker with Tote Bag
Belkin EaseFit Convertible Armband for Apple iPhone 4/4S (Black / Limelight)
Doctor Who Police Box Tardis Double-Sided Cigarette Case, ID Holder, Wallet with RFID Theft Protection
Doctor Who Generations 1.5 Inch Fridge Magnets Value Pack
ROCCAT Apuri Active USB Hub with Mouse Bungee (ROC-15-315-AM)
Audio-Technica ATH-M50S Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Better to have a donut hole than no donut at all. Before Part D came into existence, Seniors had to pay for almost all of their prescriptions all year. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteA good thought. I was not complaining about Part D, just the expenses we are encountering. If this were pre-part D, we would not have purchased a motorhome or be traveling full time. Probably would not be living in the nice sticks and bricks. But the expense is a fact of life.
DeleteWe took a chance and retired when I was 66 and Leonard only 61. The premium for medical insurance for him was more than we could afford. Being a NJ State employee he could have kept it until Medicare. Instead we applied for a high deducible HSA ($10,000 a year) in Texas and then in SD. Denied due mostly to the horrendous letter someone from our Dr's office wrote in response to underwriting. Before we retired we both had compete physicals. Big Mistake. Now every test he had at the time was listed on his record. Even though there was not an issue with anything. We made it fine until February of this year. Then a blood clot in leg put him in hospital. Cost us out of pocket about $11,000. So, I am looking that had we gotten the insurance only $1,000 would have been paid by the insurance compant. The rest would have been on us anyway. In the long run - we saved big $$$$$.= no premiums for 4 years. Only 25 days to go til he is on Medicare. Hoping, praying, etc.
ReplyDeleteSo I can well understand your concern with the medical cost while full timing. We take a chance and do the best we can with the information we have. God Bless.
Thanks much. Praying for good health for Leonard....even following the first of the year. John and I have the best Medicare supplements. We pay absolutely NO out of pocket costs on parts A and B. It is the drug charges that just swamp us. We have managed, so far, but it sure cuts into our activities. That doughnut hole seems like a sinkhole to me. Thank goodness my health is terrific.
DeleteSure glad you got out of Indie in time.
ReplyDeleteWe sure dig escape the bad weather. We knew it was going to reach farther south, so we planned a early? escape. It is rainy and cold here in Alabama, but no snow, no ice and no sub freezing temperatures. We feel fortunate to be in this weather zone tonight.
DeleteMedicare....Obamacare......Medical expenses, I can't even talk about these things without getting fired up. It's a difficult subject that has a profound impact on many of us. I look forward to your upcoming changes on the MH and hearing about the experience. Stay warm AND dry!
ReplyDeleteReading your response made me give a tiny laugh. The upcoming changes on our motorhome are determined by our out of pocket expenses with part D of Medicare. We had much more planned, but will need to scale back as we refuse to do anything on credit. For now, we sit at Tiffin's campground and relax until Monday.
ReplyDeleteIf you are in Red Bay very long, you need to take a ride and visit Hellen Keller museum. Wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteI understand your plight. I've been fortunate [knock, knock] that the few meds I take are covered. But previous to my Medicare days, I needed a med that were not covered by my insurance, to the tune of >$300 a month. I went the Canadian pharmacy route for a while, which cut it to $100 a month. I'm thankful that the reason for that medication has resolved itself. I don't know what I would do now, because even the $100 extra each month would be devastating!
ReplyDeleteI almost never order on line, but if I do, I'll remember you.
The meds I take are also covered. Most of John's are until he hits that blasted doughnut hole.
DeleteThanks in advance for shopping Amazon through my blog. Every bit helps.
Seems as though lots of folks resent government workers, but after 35 years doing soil science, I do appreciate my Federal Employees Health Plan. I pay a couple of hundred a month for that insurance, and of course the 100 a month for Medicare Part B, but now I get my meds for just a cheap co pay. Of course, the fact that I only take thyroid medication that would cost me 4 bucks at WalMart is just another lucky draw. Ha!! Personally, I was impressed with Nina's description of pay as you go self care. Probably wouldn't work for everyone, but it was definitely interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe are just north of you at the state line. We love Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. My dad is from the area and I spent many summer vacations in the Gulf. You have picked a wonderful spot to veg. If you are a shopper, you might want to head up to Foley and hit the outlet mall. Huge and good prices!
ReplyDeleteWhy would people resent government workers?
ReplyDeleteYour govt insurance and Medicare is more expensive than mine and I have no co-pay. Now, I feel very fortunate. Nina did have some very good thoughts.