Walmart drug plan for seniors may not be best deal

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WALMART_MEDICARE?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Consumer alert: A new Medicare drug plan with the lowest upfront cost in the country may not be for everyone, experts say.

Medicare's open enrollment season just started, and the plan from insurer Humana and retail giant Walmart is getting attention. At $14.80, the monthly premium is the lowest of any national plan, about half the average. And Humana and Walmart are advertising savings of more than $450 a year for the typical Medicare recipient.

But experts say if you can't get to a Walmart easily and need costly medications for intractable conditions, it could be a disappointment. You could face copayments as high as 50 percent for drugs purchased at local independent drugstores, "non-preferred" pharmacies as far as the plan goes.

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"For many people, there are probably plans with higher premiums that are a better deal, because their drug is included, and their pharmacy is included, and they face fewer restrictions," said Vicki Gottlich, a senior policy analyst with another consumer group, the Center for Medicare Advocacy in Washington.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. There is no doubt in my mind that WalMart would not be involve if they

were not going to come out ahead in some way....
When it comes to WalMart, I would be skeptical even if they were giving stuff away for free...

[katmondoo]

2. I was given a choice of 4 plans Walmart was the worse

They enrolled me without my permission when I only asked them to send information. The Next one Health Net was outsourced, I couldn't understand a word,they couldn't answer any information I asked for. The best was RxAmerica. They answered intelligently, simply and nicely.Do not go for Walmart. They want you to go to Walmart or Sam's or use the prescription by mail plan. The name is Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan. Stay away from this one

[old mark]

3. I get ALL my prescriptions from Walmart, have for over a year, and have no trouble with them

at all. Some of them come to me at NO COST, and only one is more than $50 a month. My insurance/prescription plan is not the best, either - it is PA state backed private insurance for low income/retired people who do not yet qualify for Medicare. The meds are US made, good quality, not "Chinese imports" as I have seen stated on this forum previously.

Most of my RX's are under $6, one is free, even my diabetic test strips that list for around $60 cost me $5 and change.

The pharmacists and techs are very good and I can get meds the same day I phone the renewals in if I need them that quickly.

I worked in a hospital - in nursing for aeveral years, then in social work - and I know something about pharmacies.

mark

[Obamanaut]

4. It may not be the best deal for everyone, but it just might be good for

some. Especially if one can get Rx via mail.