Medicare is so important to transplant patients as well as dialysis patients. The fact that it might be privatized in the new administration has me worried. I am on Medicare with a supplement and am wondering how Medicare advantage programs handle transplant medication and treatments. Presently my medication and treatment falls under part b and my supplement picks up the cost. So I rarely pay anything out of pocket. Also do not have any second thoughts about going to emergency or doctor when needed. I have the same setup when it comes to eye care, not including glasses. For those who have Medicare advantage, is your set up different? Medication availability is so important for survival in transplantation that any change has me extremely worried.
Fear of Medicare changes: Medicare is so... - Kidney Transplant
Fear of Medicare changes
Sick people are expendable in the US if you had not noticed how the people soon to be in charge think. There will be more suffering, illness, and death all around. People get what they vote for, sadly.
Thanks for sharing. Totally agree but I am taking one step at a time. Trying to prevent one of those expendable bodies being mine and others on this forum. When spoiled children from rich parents get their way others suffer. It seems to happen time and again in the US and other countries.
Thanks for sharing.
So let’s be clear Bassetmommer. I don’t think that is a political question it is a valid concern when you have a new administration for any party there are questions about healthcare. In this forum you should be able to ask that without someone claiming foul (health question and coverage questions). Maybe someone here has been doing the research. So it you are not a moderator I would personally ask you to keep those type of opinions to yourself
9Thanks for sharing. Medicare and social security which pays our premiums for Medicare is a top priority for many seniors. So as you have stated Healthcare is very political when it comes to transplant patients. In the past activist doctors fought for Medicare for all transplant patients and it is covered for 3 years and continually when you reach retirement age. So if you are young or old we should all be concerned. I think about the pd patients who had trouble getting fluid and what would happen if I was still on pd. There are so many uncertainty with transplants. I would not like to have availability of medication being included in that list. Hopefully my worries will be unfounded in the next 4 years.
This is a legitimate question and concern! Are you an administrator? Keep your moral judgments to yourself.
Healthcare plans and coverages are important, if not critical, for people and nonprofits to monitor. Some nonprofits (such as the influential AARP) has kept a very close eye on this for some time now - reading the tea leaves. I'm sure the NKF and other nonprofits are carefully watching this area too. (NKF lobbied for at least 17 patient healthcare bills so far this year.)
You mention Medicare Advantage Plans. Ironically, they're also dependent on Medicare. With those, Medicare, while still exercising oversight, essentially shuffles a big pot of money to the insurance company taking care of you and then largely takes a back seat. While they are approved/disapproved by Medicare, each state has a "say" in those policies. They are customized. Hence, simply be aware that advantage plan coverages, including drug prescriptions, in one state probably won't apply to those in you state. Like you, my husband has a standard Medicare and a supplemental plan, which he plans to keep. He has paid very little out-of-pocket, mostly insulin, which now is price capped (thankfully). My husband is a licensed health insurance broker in Virginia. He notes that big changes rarely occur immediately, sometimes never, but be vigilant - seek out a licensed medical broker in your state if you sense you're at risk or nervous. (Some states provide a listing of reputable brokers.) Open season across the nation to switch plans is Oct. 15 - Dec. 7. My husband, sitting next to me, said: "Tell Eyak again not to panic. It's a slooooow process to change things in this industry." It's truly good to dialogue with each other. We're all in this together.
Thanks for the great insight and thank your husband. Information is power and with Healthcare you constantly feel you have none. I am thankful we also have organizations fighting in our behalf. It is a shame that some of the people in government do not do the right thing just because. Thanks again and the best to you and your husband
I wish all the nonprofits engaged directly with their followers and members, especially regarding medical care. We are not an autocracy; we are a democracy. Communication should be encouraged. Silence in healthcare often leads to negative, if not life ending consequences .
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” (Malcolm X)
All the best to you, too, Eyak. We must look out for each other.
I'm still working and have coverage through my job, thankfully. I also have Medicare Part A due to being ESRD and on dialysis. I am fortunate that I can still work. Currently my job insurance is primary but in July 2025 due to the 30 months Medicare will be primary. So I joined AARP and support their wanting to keep Medicare open.
I worked my whole life and paid into the system...that benefit is MINE and should not be changed. I feel for those who are sick and need Medicare and have no other options.
Thanks for sharing your story. My supplement is through aarp and have always been happy with service. I also have my drug insurance through them. Insurance whether you are young or old can be a big chunk of your budget. I too had insurance when working and like many lost it when I retired. That is one of the problems when insurance is tied to employment. Very few companies provide that with retirement. Private insurance was nice but the constant approval process was unending. I never worry about that with traditional medicare and medicare seems to monitor my treatment so that it is effective. In fact my transplant unit subcontracts with greenwood company to satisfy medicare. Hopefully my coverage will not be interrupted in the next few years. Change can be good but in this case I have my doubts. Take care and again thanks for sharing.
Glad both you and Eyak have that arrangement. My husband also has Medicare and the AARP United Plan. It's worked out exceptionally well for him - for transplant, brain surgery, and more. So grateful.
I've again been fortunate in that the tribe I work for doesn't charge a premium for individual insurance so I pay nothing for medical, vision and dental. I'm also covered under my husband's insurance and he pays nothing either. He works for a power co-op.
The insurance is a big reason I continue to work. I'm hoping to get a kidney next year and having my insurance is one thing they were happy about.
I am younger and have employer- sponsored health plan. Even I am worried about adverse changes and price hikes that are likely to happen after 2025. We all have reasons to be very concerned. Let us keep on staying informed of shady changes and take actions as quickly as possible by supporting each other.
My transplant team at the Medical Center and their specialty pharmacy set mine up through insurance and I’ve paid nothing for the transplant medication. The rest of my meds go through out local pharmacy with no issues either. I would ask for help from your transplant center if you run into problems. Best of luck and stay well !
Telogen Effluvium
Refused a kidney transplant 
Transplant and BKV Realities
angry about kidney transplant?
Belatacept infusion while traveling.
