Aetna transfer to Wellcare?

[lincolnj8]

On Jan. 1, 2020 my medicare part D prescription drug plan will transfer from Aetna to WellCare. My Zytiga cost will go to abut $1,700 a month (if I understand their pricing). I guess Aetna was bought out? Just received this information in the mail today12/3/2019. Did anybody else receive this notice?

[Cisco99]

I got switched, too. I think Wellcare is a subsidiary or something of Aetna. I don't get Zytiga through them, though.

[lincolnj8 in reply to Cisco99]

If you take Zytiga, where do you buy it . Wellcare bought out Aetna

[Cisco99 in reply to lincolnj8]

This will sound annoying. My oncologist wrote to Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation and asked them to include me in a group that gets Zytiga free. I am guessing they have many hundreds on the list. I have been taking it at no cost for two years. Right now, J&J seems to be trimming their list. But my oncologist says that, if necessary, they will pay for my Zytiga themselves. I have never paid for Zytiga, but that may end. It's all about financial status. I'm not broke exactly, but I live on SS and have no income -- I look poor. It's a bit like college financial aid. Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation, 800-652-6227. Have your oncologist call them.

[lincolnj8 in reply to Cisco99]

Thank you. There is a hospital foundation that has been picking up around $500 a month when I was on the Aetna Prescription drug plan. With Wellcare I may have to pay around $1700 a month. Like you, I live on Social Security. I have no other income. Also look poor. lol Thank you for the information. My monthly prescription drug plan was about $20 a month. Wellcare with the tier 5 drug cost will be very expensive. Thanks again

[Hidden in reply to lincolnj8]

I’m on ssdi 1200 per month .. will Medicaid foot the bill for zytiga ? My test drug is free and no one minds that .

[lincolnj8 in reply to Hidden]

Your Zytiga my be free through social securty

[j-o-h-n in reply to Cisco99]

Hello Cisco, Thanks for you information. Can you tell us more about yourself (bio)....

Age, Location, Treatments to date, PSA/Gleason scores, Treatment center(s), Doctor's name(s). All info is voluntary but helps us help you and helps us too. Thank you.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/04/2019 6:45 PM EST

[Cisco99 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hello j-o-h-n ... I am 69 years old, in St. Paul MN, and was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I have tumors mainly in my spine, and also elsewhere in my bones. My oncologist is Stuart Bloom of Minnesota Oncology, who used to be a standup comedian. He had me on a regimen of Lupron and Zometa (bone sealing). I have since added Zytiga, 1 1/2 years ago.

I am doing fairly well, in remission, if that's the right word -- the Zytiga has done wonders for me.

I am in pain, but Ibuprofen and Gabapentin (for my diabetes) help me. I had a very painful emergency in September that turned out to be caused by losing weight -- a diabetic phenomenon.

My PSA was 436 in January 2017. Now it is less than 1. I don't remember but my Gleason was not good -- is 4 a likely number?

I'm a writer, but my writing has tailed off in the past year. I don't want to write about my disease. I don't want to be "that guy." Problem is, it's all I think about. The worst thing about disease, besides the pain, is the self-absorption that overtakes one.

I try to walk my dog a mile every day. That is my happiest time. But it's Minnesota and I am freezing.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Cisco99]

Thank you for your quick and detailed reply. As you know Pca is a slow growing disease so please please get your mind off of the disease. I love comedy so I looked up your doctor Bloom. He's listed as a Breast Cancer oncologist, so I and others here would suggest seeing a good Medical Oncologist who specializes in Pca. If possible find out your Gleason score and post it here together with your bio on your home page under you User Id. We all go through "all I think about" stage with this fucking disease, so you have plenty of company. DO NOT write about this disease write about comedy if possible...(it's not easy, but try it). I understand that July 4th is considered summer in St. Paul, and therefore you can't walk the dog in the freezing cold, that's too bad. Hang in there try to smile.... and keep posting here for good information and for camaraderie. Stay warm...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/04/2019 7:35 PM EST

[Cisco99 in reply to j-o-h-n]

T-U-M-O-R T-A-L-K

You know, Tumor, I think I'd like to write about you.

PLEASE DON'T.

Why not?

BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT ME.

Yeah, but it's a human experience and I just thought --

STOP THINKING. THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL.

But what if I gave some person somewhere hope!

IS THAT YOUR ACTUAL INTENTION?

No, not really. But wouldn't I seem heroic, dealing in a straightforward way with you?

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT AGAINST ME? WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO YOU?

Well, I'm fighting you. You know, put 'em up!

IF YOU WANT TO SLUG YOURSELF, HAVE AT IT.

Well, a journal then, tracing my growth and insights during this challenging time.

YEAH, NOBODY'S EVER DONE THAT BEFORE.

But it would give me pleasure and comfort to be engaged in something creative.

BE HONEST. YOU ONLY WRITE ABOUT YOURSELF.

Yes, but, I'm the thing I know best. I want to tell that unique story!

LISTEN, IT'S FUN FOR YOU, BUT I HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT THE WHOLE GODDAMN DAY.

Then let me say this to you. Having you grow inside me has led to some interesting thoughts!

LIKE WHAT?

Like “Carrying a tumor inside oneself is like carrying a child!” It takes a certain amount of time, it obtains nourishment from you, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger.

YOU ARE AWARE THAT YOU ARE NOT CREATING LIFE, RIGHT?

Tumor, don’t you think I know that! Give me credit for that much! And please explain to me why you must always be so negative?

BECAUSE I AM NOT YOUR MUSE

I've got a couple more along these lines!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Cisco99]

I got your drift, now get mine..... Tumor rhymes with Humor..........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/04/2019 10:23 PM EST

[Cisco99 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Funny to read this two months later, j-o-h-n, and all the trouble I got into injecting humor into the discussion!

I still like what you said.

[Hidden in reply to Cisco99]

Way to go ..

[JamesAtlanta]

Just to check: Are you on the generic version of Zytiga? My insurance forced me to go generic earlier this year - they gave me 90-days to switch and said they would not pay for the branded version any longer.

My MO told me that the generic is made in the same factory as the branded version, so I’m told it’s the same thing. It has continued to work well for me.

Just a thought ... hope this helps. Good luck on your journey!

Best regards,

James

[lincolnj8 in reply to JamesAtlanta]

I was just forced into the Wellcare prescription drug program. I'll check to see if it is the generic version or the branded version. Thank you. It's been a very stressful day.. Good luck on your journey too..

[Hidden in reply to lincolnj8]

Sorry . Hearing this kind of BS perturb s me . A fine human like you sweating out cancer bills . I spent my funds and now I’m at the behest of WellCare .. I’m grateful for the help from our Uncle Sam but poverty is stressful in itself . Whatever you’ve got to do you will do . Dam med system is broken . So are politics and most of the world . Be well ..

[lincolnj8 in reply to Hidden]

I agree.. Aetna gets bought out by WellCare and my Zytiga cost go up. The stockholders are happy and that beautiful WellCare building in Florida must be a great place to work. Great location too. Sure as hell didn't build it in Ohio. Like you said Lulu700, our medical system in America is broke. Also, thanks for the kind words.

[Hidden in reply to lincolnj8]

Take care Lincoln

[lincolnj8 in reply to Hidden]

My daughter reminded me yesterday that 2 years ago when she took me to the ER that my blood count was under 3, my psa was at 800 and my phosphate number was at 3000. She said the doctors couldn't believe that I walked in. Three days in the hospital, a lot of oxygen, 4 pints of blood, and the beginning of a lot of meds put me on the path of living again. So I have soooo much to be thankful for. Especially that I'm not in pain and have a loving supporting family. Also this forum and the people on it are amazing. So Whimpy-p thank you for your kind words.

[Hidden in reply to lincolnj8]

She has her head on straight. That’s a tribute to you .. those were scarey numbers ..dam .. I’m sure glad you’re doing better. We both are lucky to be alive and to have love . Concentrate only on whats good in our life’s.. I’m thankful for the people here also . I’m not in critical either. That’s saying a lot in this business. There is strength in compassion ..God Bless your family . 🙏🏼. peace to you dear Sir .🕊

[lincolnj8 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck to both of us. Also, thank you for your kind words

[Hidden in reply to lincolnj8]

The same to you . Keep driving that hot-rod Lincolnj8! Peace of mind on this voyage .

[jmurgia]

Lincoln: Why don't you switch plans? I believe you have until Dec 7th to do so. Most of the plans I've looked at have a drug cost estimator. Are you on a separate Part D plan or an Advantage Plan with a Part D attached? Am I missing something?

Joe

[lincolnj8 in reply to jmurgia]

I have searched every plan and every corner of our medical mess that we have in this country. Aetna was doable and Wellcare bought them out and the prices skyrocketed for tier 5 meds. I went on the Medicare.gov site that is available for everyone. Put in the information pertaining to medications. That site shows all available plans plus costs. Tier 5 drugs are the most expensive and have a high monthly deductible. Most plans seem to be in sync with each other on the prices. I have contacted senior citizens advisors, the medicare.gov site, my oncology department and University hospital home care for advice. Also contacted 3 pharmaceuticals in India for pricing and delivery which was very interesting. The Zytiga is keeping me alive. Going to fill out forms to get my Zytiga from Johnson and Johnson. Low cost or free. My blood work last week was perfect. I may end up purchasing my Zytiga from India and take a chance on the quality.

[herb1]

Lincoln: Assuming you are on a Drug D plan (not an Advantage), you need to look at different pharmacies under each drug plan-The Medicare site will only give you the estimated costs for the 3 pharmacies you select. But, realistically, Zytiga, Xtandi and Erleada all seem to be about $9-11,000/yr. Only Zytiga has a generic at this time and I found two local drugstores where that is priced at about$2500/yr. Remember, too, that once you hit that catastrophic cut off, your costs go down very significantly==even if it's January! Keep trying for the Help programs.

[j-o-h-n]

Same shit, different flies...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/04/2019 6:47 PM EST