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Found an inhaler that works, but now my Medicare Insurance won't cover it.

Posted , 5 users are following.

elizabeth49611
elizabeth49611

Three months ago my specialist started me on a new inhaler, Dulera, it has made a huge improvement with my Bronchiectasis issues. He gave me a 3 month supply of samples from his office.  Now I have a prescription and the Medicare prescription plan (Humana) won't cover it, because it's not USDA approved. I'm having to take Symbicort, which is similar.  Hopefully, this will work just as good.

That's the government for you, Beth

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • mary08543
    mary08543 elizabeth49611

    Posted

    Hi. I use Advair 250/50 twice daily. My doc put me on Dulara for a few months and I totally went hourse then lost my voice totally so went back to Advair. Be sure to rinse mouth out well after using it. Not sure about coverage sorry. Good luck butbthere are other options as this does get costly
  • mary_ann_0313
    mary_ann_0313 elizabeth49611

    Posted

    It frustrates me to no end what is going on with the respiratory drugs. Last week my allergist took me off Advair 500/50 Diskus after I had just ordered three from mail order. I will be waiting a month for the new Advair inhaler due to claim for refund. It is so expensive.. I am truly disgusted with what the pharmacy companies are doing to Medicare and us, in effect. Every other country pays much less for these meds. I have bought them from Canada in the past, but not anymore. It is much cheaper, but you must get a written prescription from your doctor. They don't like us buying them out of the country. They are manufactured by the same brand name pharmaceutical companies in India, Turkey, etc. Let me know if you ever need a reputable Csnadian company.

  • mary_ann_0313
    mary_ann_0313 elizabeth49611

    Posted

    It frustrates me to no end what is going on with the respiratory drugs. Last week my allergist took me off Advair 500/50 Diskus after I had just ordered three from mail order. I am awaiting Medicare to give me a refund. It is so expensive..I don't want to make a mistake in this transaction. I am truly disgusted with what the pharmacy companies are doing to Medicare and us, in effect. Every other country pays much less for these meds. I have bought them from Canada in the past, but not anymore. It is much cheaper, but you must get a written prescription from your doctor. They don't like us buying them out of the country. They are manufactured by the same brand name

    pharmaceutical companies in India, Turkey, etc.

    All so not right for us Americans to be ripped off like this. Maybe it has something to do with patents or liability and class action suits in the U S.

    • elizabeth49611
      elizabeth49611 mary_ann_0313

      Posted

      I agree, I was shocked with I went to pick up my prescription for Symicort, two month supply, $308.00.  Good grief!! There are some people that just can't afford it.

      Beth

       

  • pam81116
    pam81116 elizabeth49611

    Posted

    Hi Beth, I have not used the  Dulera, But i have been on Symbicort for many years before i was moved on to Fostair, one thing i found was good about Syimbicort was if you foud you needed extra puffs you could use up to 12 ped day for a short time.

     I hope it works good for you .

                         Hugs Pam.

    • elizabeth49611
      elizabeth49611 pam81116

      Posted

      Pam,

      For the most part, my meds co-payment has been low. Symbicort, for a two month inhaler is $308.00!! I was shocked.

      Beth

    • pam81116
      pam81116 elizabeth49611

      Posted

      O Wow, I live in the UK and because i am over 60 all meds are free, I remember once when I whent to Lanzarote on holiday and i forgot my Syimbicort, I managed to get one over the counter at the pharmacy it was 55 euros. as i say i am now on Fostair, and it seems to work as well for me . this may be a cheaper med than syimbicort, this is what the docs do here if they see a cheaper alternative that they think will work they put you on it. 

            Hugs Pam

    • elizabeth49611
      elizabeth49611 pam81116

      Posted

      Pam,

      I see my specialist in another 2 1/2 months.  I'll ask him about alternatives.

      Here in the states, when we reach 65 we can go on Medicare. It's very complicated the way the coverage and co payments are. Usually, at the first of each year, the co-pays are higher, until you reach a certain limit, then they are lower for the rest of the year, until you reach another limit. (I think the government makes it so complicated that no one really understands it).

      From what I gather from this forum, UK people have the same government issues (trying to get PIP).

      Thanks for the info, Beth

  • jennifer625
    jennifer625 elizabeth49611

    Posted

    Elizabeth ask your doc to put in an over ride to your plan That usually works. I have United Healthcare and they covered Dulera only that one bothered me. Now I have been using Breo only I am totally hoarse.

    • elizabeth49611
      elizabeth49611 jennifer625

      Posted

      I talked to the pharmist and was told that the prescription was sent back to the doctor for him to contact Humana. They still didn't want to cover it.

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