Health Insurance With Prescription Drug Coverage

Finding a suitable health insurance plan can be difficult for many consumers. However, obtaining reliable medical insurance with adequate prescription coverage requires even more due diligence. The problem lies in the fact that consumers taking several prescriptions are likely to have preexisting conditions or poor health. Poor health and/or several preexisting conditions may cause the insurance company to decline the application.

Assuming the potential insured is in moderately good health, he or she will have several health plans with rx coverage to choose from. Those under age 65 and in the individual and family market can choose from traditional plans and health savings accounts. And those above age 65 or on disability can choose from several prescription Part D insurance plans.

Prescriptions Coverage Tiers

Many plans cover generic drugs ($15 co-pay is most common) without the insured first reaching a predetermined deductible. Preferred name brand drugs and non-preferred name brand drugs usually have close to $25 and $50 co-pays respectively. However, in order to be eligible for the co-pay amount with name brand drugs, a predetermined deductible (not the policy deductible) will need to be met first. This amount is usually between $100 and $250 depending on the insurance carrier.

More recently, health carriers have also introduced a 4th tier. This tier usually includes the more expensive drugs or newer drugs that have just been approved. The insured will be responsible for a percentage of the cost of Tier 4 medications, usually 25%.

It should also be noted that many health insurance companies have a calendar year maximum in prescription benefit payouts. It is not uncommon for drug benefits to cease if the insured reaches $5000 in prescription benefits in a given year. However, some plans will allow, at an additional cost, a buy-up provision that has no maximum in yearly RX benefits.

Health Savings Accounts and Prescriptions

Typically, health insurance plans coupled with a health savings account will offer no prescription drug coverage until the policy deductible has been met. This is unlike the traditional plans described above in that traditional plans have prescription specific deductibles unrelated to the overall policy deductible. HSA plans will only provide drug coverage when the policy deductible has been met. Health savings account plans are advantageous for health consumers who are not worried about immediate drug coverage and who also want to keep their premiums low.

Group Health Insurance and RX Coverage

When a group is selecting a health insurance plan for their employees, the administrator will usually have three or more prescription options to couple with their group policy. A simple way to describe plan offerings in the group market is high, medium, and low. Companies wanting to offer the best drug coverage will select a "high" coverage plan for their employees. Of course, the better the plan, the more expensive it will be for the group. Agents specializing in group health insurance will be able to provide information and descriptions of the options available from various insurance carriers.

Minimizing Your Prescription Drug Costs With a Health Savings Account

Starting in 2006, no plans that are qualified to work with a health savings account may cover prescription drugs as an insured benefit until after the deductible is met. So for HSA owners, one of your biggest health expenses could be for prescription drugs. Here are some ways to reduce those costs.

Generics

A report was published this week by Express Scripts Inc., a pharmacy benefit manager, indicating that increased use of generic drugs would save consumers $24 billion in 2005. Generic drugs cost an average of $60 less per month, than brand name drugs.

A report was published this week by Express Scripts Inc., a pharmacy benefit manager, indicating that increased use of generic drugs would save consumers $24 billion in 2005. Generic drugs cost an average of $60 less per month, than brand name drugs.

It is important to understand that brand name drugs often have little or no benefit over older generic versions. A prime example is Prilosec, a heartburn medication whose patent was scheduled to expire in April of 2001. Prilosec consists of two "isomers", a right-hand version and a left hand version. Studies showed an 87% success rate for this drug. AstraZeneca, the manufacturer, decided to offer a newly patented single isomer version called Nexium, which showed only fractionally better results with a 90% success rate.

A $500 million marketing campaign ensued, aimed at both physicians and consumers, to convince them that Nexium is "state-of-the-art". AstraZeneca now sells over $3 billion worth of pills annually, at $120 per box. This is a drug that is essentially only a repackaged version Prilosec, which sells for about $20 per box.

When your doctor is prescribing a drug, make sure to ask him if there is any benefit to taking a brand name over a generic, and let it be known that you'll be paying for the prescription out of your own pocket.

Drug Discount Programs

Pharmaceutical prices are a lot like hospital prices - very few people actually pay the listed retail price. There are numerous drug discount cards available on the market, which provide savings that average 15% to 40% below retail at participating pharmacies. Typically, most of the chain pharmacies (CVS, Eckerd, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, etc.) participate in these plans.

Many insurance companies include discount cards as an additional benefit that comes with their coverage. Because these cards are not considered to be insurance, they can be offered with an HSA-qualified plan. Insurance companies that provide Rx discount cards with their HSA plans include American Medical Security, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Assurant, Golden Rule, Imerica, Unicare, and World. We also know of one HSA administrator - - that provides a drug discount program to people who use them.

Stand-alone drug discount plans are also available to anyone with access to the internet. We've found the average cost of these discount plans to be around $7 or $8 a month.

Mail Order

If the need for a prescription is not urgent, or if you are on long-term medication, mail order is almost always a less expensive way to buy prescription drugs. It is generally cheaper to get a 90-day supply because of a volume discount. I recommend asking your physician to write the prescription for a 3-monthly supply plus three refills. This will get you a year's worth of drugs, with only one shipping fee.

Importing Prescription Drugs

The city of Boston, the city of San Francisco, the state of Wisconsin, and the State of Minnesota all use a company called Total Pharmacy Care to give their citizens access to international mail-order pharmaceuticals.

Officially, re-importation of prescription drugs by anyone other than the drug's manufacturer is a violation of federal law. But FDA enforcement guidelines allow agents to exercise discretion for drugs imported for personal use. According to the guidelines, "FDA personnel may consider a more permissive policy" in cases where an individual seeks to import no more than a three month supply of a product that does not appear to pose an unreasonable risk, if the individual affirms in writing that it is for personal use and provides the name and address of the U.S. doctor supervising their treatment.

Advocacy groups cite these guidelines as proof that re-importation is legal. But in a February 2003 letter, the FDA's Associate Commissioner, Thomas Hubbard, said the guidelines have been misinterpreted. They were meant to allow FDA agents discretion in allowing U.S. citizens access to medicines for serious conditions that were unavailable or hard to find in the states, not to allow international comparison price shopping.

Nevertheless, thousands of U.S. citizens have found they can save money by buying their drugs from outside the country. Keep in mind that since this importation is technically illegal (though rarely enforced), it may not be proper to use your HSA to pay for prescriptions purchased this way. Talk to your accountant if you decide to go this route.

Avoiding Prescription Drugs

The people who spend the least on prescription drugs are those who rarely take them. The need to take an antibiotic for an acute infection may seem fairly expensive, but it is nothing compared to the cost of taking a medication for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, by age 45 over half of all Americans are on a regular prescription medication, and by age 65 nearly half are on three or more prescriptions during any given month. Most of this is entirely preventable.

Some of the biggest selling drugs are to treat elevated cholesterol, hypertension, and acid reflux. A paper published this year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition entitled Origins and evolution of the western diet: Health implications for the 21st century, explains how these and other common health issues did not exist for our hunter-gatherer ancestors, and how diet is the root cause of so many of the health problems people in our culture experience.no prescription needed drugs

The author is Dr. Loren Cordain, one of my professors at Colorado State University. In a nutshell, he shows why the healthiest diet is one based on fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meat. Foods to be avoided or limited include added sugars, shortening and other processed vegetable oils, grains, and legumes. These are all foods that did not exist in our diet prior to about 10,000 years ago, and are thus foods that we are not genetically adapted to eat.

Remember that all qualified expenses, including prescription drugs, can be paid for tax-free, from your HSA. If you've still got a traditional health insurance policy and would like to investigate a health savings account, please visit us at HSA for America and we'll be happy to help you.

Addiction to Prescription Drugs

The addiction to the prescription drug vicodin is a very powerful addiction that impacts the lives of so many Americans each year. But, with the proper course of treatment, the addiction to vicodin can be beaten. Over the last few years, the abuse and addiction to prescription drugs has risen but there is still so much denial about the issue. Vicodin addiction is actually the obsessive and compulsive overuse and misuse of a mood altering drug, vicodin. Used in this sense, misuse refers to using the drug without the approved authorization of a doctor or medical professional. It can also mean using the drug once you no longer require it. The addiction to this substance can have truly debilitating effects on your mind and body.

Addiction to prescription drugs, especially vicodin addiction, is especially problematic because the drug was originally prescribed by a doctor. In so many instances, people who have become addicted to vicodin deny that its a problem and rationalize their continued use by saying things such as, "I'm taking it because of my pain", or "the doctor said I could take a few more than prescribed". Vicodin produces a feeling of euphoria, and a feeling of relaxation in both the mind and the body, and of course it relieves pain. Addiction to vicodin is especially common with prescription drug users, probably since it is often prescribed for a number of different kinds of pain issues.

Some users of prescription drugs don't mean to get hooked on it, but once their prescription runs out they start to worry about how they are going to get more and more of the drug. Vicodin addicts realize that they can't function normally anymore without it and that although the pain may be gone, the drug creates a feeling in them that they can't live without. Individuals suffering from this addiction begin to look to other sources for the drug and will go to extraordinary lengths to get more of it.

FAQ's About Generic Prescription Drugs

In recent years, generic drugs have become extremely popular. According to the FDA, over 44% of prescriptions filled in the USA are for generic medication. With the popularity however, comes some confusion. In this post, we'll discuss several frequently asked questions about generic drugs.

What is a generic drug?

A generic drug is basically a copy-cat version of a brand name drug. Generic medication is allowed to be manufactured only after the innovator drug firm's right to sell it exclusively has expired.

Why are generic drugs so much cheaper?

Generic meds are cheaper because the manufacturer does not have to invest in research and clinical trials. This work has already been done by the drug company who invented the drug. This savings is passed on to the customer.

Is generic medicine safe?

Generic medication is equally as safe as their brand name counterparts, because they contain the exact same active ingredients. However, they are also prone to the same side-effects as brand name medications. The only reason a generic medicine would not be safe is if you're taking it without knowing the side-effects. Be sure to consult your doctor.

How can I get a generic substitution?

Be sure to ask your pharmacist about a generic drug substitution, even if your doctor prescribes the name brand.

How can I save money on Generic Prescriptions?

Control High Blood Pressure Without Prescription Drugs

Most people think that the only way to control high blood pressure is with prescription drugs. Actually, a trip to your local grocery store is the best place to start.

Help Control Hypertension With These Common Foods

1. Celery extract injections lowered high blood pressure significantly in lab animals. It's much easier for humans--just eat four stalks of celery a day!

2. Tomatoes are not only tasty, but they contain seven compounds that fight hypertension. So eat lots of them, any way you want.

3. One clove of garlic a day is not only good for hypertension, but it may also help to reduce your cholesterol.

4. Onions add flavor to just about anything. The bonus is that they also lower blood pressure.

5. Broccoli is great fresh or slightly steamed, and helps to control blood pressure levels.

6. Did you know that carrots will help to lower high blood pressure too?

7. Fresh or frozen cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help keep blood pressure lower. Avoid fish products that have been battered or fried.

8. Sunflower seeds and nuts also help reduce high blood pressure. Avoid salted or roasted nuts or seeds as they are high in fat and sodium.

Spice Up Your Life!

Many common spices will help with hypertension too. So be sure to visit the spice aisle at the supermarket.

Fennel is the winner here. It contains ten compounds that lower blood pressure.

Oregano is the runner-up with seven.

Black pepper, tarragon, and basil are contenders too.

And if you feel like splurging, saffron is the way to go! Researchers believe that heart disease and high blood pressure is very uncommon in Spain because the Spanish use so much saffron in their cooking.

The Magnesium Connection

Many Americans are deficient in magnesium. And magnesium deficiency has been linked to hypertension.

Leafy greens, legumes like peas and beans, green beans, and whole grains are rich in magnesium, so be sure to add these foods to your diet.

Salt and Potassium

Reduce your salt intake. Be sure to read food labels!

In the meantime, add foods that contain potassium to your diet. Potassium is needed to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Six servings a day of avocados, bananas, oranges, prunes, and canteloupes will go a long ways towards reducing hypertension. Potatoes are rich in potassium too, but bake or boil them. Avoid french fries and processed potatoes.

Add Kelp To Your Diet

Japanese studies have shown that kelp reduces hypertension with no side effects. The Japanese eat kelp at nearly every meal. They even make noodles out of it!

Most people in the US aren't going to sit down to a meal of kelp. But you can easily add it to your diet by using a salt substitute that contains kelp.

What About Green Tea?

Once again, the Japanese drink lots of green tea. They have a much lower incidence of high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes than American do, even though they use a lot of salt.no prescription needed drugs

Try to drink a cup or two of green tea every day.

Prehypertension

Prehypertension is a blood pressure reading between 120/80 and 139/89.

If you have prehypertension, research shows that eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels will lower your blood pressure as well as prescription drugs do, with no side effects.

Be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Two Smart Ways to Treat Depression Without Drugs

If you're looking for ways to treat depression, you may be concerned about the disturbing side effects of prescription drugs. In this article, you'll learn more about these side effects along with some viable alternatives that can lift your mood and help you get your life back without causing other health problems.

First let's talk about the drawbacks of drugs as a way to treat depression. As you probably know, prescription medications have a host of side effects which are common to all classes of drugs. If you're already feeling down, then side effects like weight gain, sleeplessness, anxiety, a sense of impending doom, aggressive behavior and even suicidal ideation are probably not going to help you to feel better about your life. Although these drugs do work for certain people, you really have to take a hard look at the side effects and ask yourself if they are worth the potential benefits.

Further, pharmaceutical companies will never reveal this in their advertisements, but they are not entirely certain why or how anti-depressants work and how they will affect the brain long term. This is why countless people are looking for alternative ways to treat depression. Many of these people are returning to natural substances which have been used for centuries.

These natural remedies contain herbs like Passion Flower and St. John's Wort that not only have been time-tested, but proven to be clinically effective. Of course, it is important to understand that not all remedies are created equal, so look for one that includes the two ingredients listed above and also look for a manufacturer that offers a one-year, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee. It stands to reason that a manufacturer that offers such a solid guarantee has taken the time to formulate a superior product. Taking a natural remedy is one of the best, most effective ways to treat depression.

Once the remedy has started to elevate your mood (by increasing the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in the brain), you can consider learning some new coping skills that will help you fend off depression. Behavioral therapy is good way to treat depression because it teaches the skills that will help you cope with life, so that you will no longer be at the mercy of events outside your control. In behavioral therapy, you will learn how to calm yourself and get perspective even in the face of stressors that would normally make you anxious or make you want to spend the day in bed.

Although it's important to learn skills and not just take pills, behavioral therapy is more effective once you have the energy and motivation to start making positive changes in your life which is why it is highly recommended that of the two ways to treat depression that do not involve drugs, you start by taking natural remedies first.

Holy Cow - Prescription Drugs in Drinking Water

I like to drink a cold beer every now and again but that is as far as it goes. But when I heard the story about prescription drugs in drinking water and that via a glass of water, I could be ingesting a whole host of pills it shook my very foundation.

I don't suffer from depression; don't have a hormone problem, don't have cancer (thank God) nor do I have some infection that requires antibiotics. Yet recent studies and probes have found antidepressants, sex hormone pills, chemotherapy and antibiotic drugs in the drinking water. What gives?

How Drugs Get In Our Water Supply

Of all the probes done about medication in the water supply, the one that got the most media attention was the 5 month Associated Press study of 24 large U.S metropolitan cities. In those cities, atotal population of 41 million people, they found a variety of medication in the water supply.

A Lot Of Unknowns?

The EPA by their own admission says that they are trying to come to grips with the matter. They have not set up a national policy guideline for the various water authorities to follow. These guidelines affect both rate of detection of removal of drugs in the water.

You see, the EPA comes up with what is called the MCL, the maximum contaminant level. The MCL tells water providers how much of a particular contaminant can remain in tap water and still be considered safe.

MCLs are necessary because it would be both very costly and impractical to remove 100% of every contaminant from tap water.

But The EPA has no MCL for prescription drugs in drinking water and therefore no knowledge of what amounts can be considered safe or unsafe.

Ignorance Is Not Bliss.

Many water providers contend that their tap water is safe. The pharmaceuticals found are only in trace amounts, too little to do any harm.

But many scientists are not so sure about the long term effects. Taking trace amounts if drugs over time, could lead to serious illness. We all must drink water, therefore the risks might be unavoidable.

Water Filtration - A Solution

Since no one knows the risks of drugs in the drinking water, isn't it better to err on the side of caution and take steps to eliminate as much of this contaminant as possible. To this end, home water filtration is your answer.

Getting a home reverse osmosis system will help to reduce pharmaceuticals in your tap water but it can be costly to buy and maintain.

Furthermore, reverse osmosis cannot remove drug contaminants which are molecularly smaller than water. What is better is a carbon filter which can effectively remove very tiny drug contaminants plus other synthetic chemicals.

The trick is to find not only a quality carbon filtration system but also a reputable supplier. This is easier said than done if you don't know where to look. Doing some research online and conducting your due diligence would help in locating a quality carbon filter.

The long term health of your family, really depends on your actions today