BS: Prescription Charges

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:21 PM

And, as has been pointed out, once you're 60 there are no charges fro medicine prescribed for you. Nor for children, or adults on most benefits. And a few other exemptions.

Otherwise there is a charge for each item prescribed. But not in Wales now.

True enough it all has to be paid for, but this way the cost is spread out over the whole earning population. It seems fairer to us doing it that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: folk1e
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 07:18 PM

There is a charge for every item on a prescription in the UK ..... but you can pay for 3, 6, or 12 months (in advance) at a reduced rate.
My other half takes 15 tabs 5 injections and an inhaler every day but luckily for her she is Diabetic and so is exempt. The government are in the process of reviewing this one so watch out!

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:48 PM

On the other hand, most Americans say there would be armed insurrection if you had to pay as much for petrol as we do.

theres no such thing as a free prescription. we pay for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:01 PM

I take eight different drugs daily, some are 2 a day as well. Karen takes three. Her health insurance is excellent and includes drugs, vision, and dental. The most we pay for ANY continuing chronic condition drug is $60.00 for a 3 month supply. In our cases none are that level, but two of them cost $40.00 for a 3 month supply. In 2006 the prescription plan paid $6415.00 for scrip meds and we paid only $1155.00. This also includes locally filled scrip for acute problems (antibiotics, etc.).

I have no idea what we would do without our current insurance.....$100 a month versus $600 a month.......that's a ton of money in this family.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:28 AM

I'm a chronic asthmatic but I generally have to pay for my prescriptions. By the time I have bought the 3 different inhalers plus the steroids and the nebuliser fluid and the other medication for another problem it gets quite expensive. I think next year I'm going to have start doing the prepay option!!

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:20 AM

I dont need to pay for them either as i am exempt due to having an under active thyroid gland.Someone decided that the illness would be exempt.
Barry that is quite a lot to spend on medication every month,you would not want to live across the pond in Wales as its always raining.

Scooby

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:07 AM

I don't have to pay for prescriptions at the moment or dental treatment as I am pregnant but my prescription costs before that were starting to increase to the point where I couldn't afford to buy them all. I was looking into prepaying as it would be cheaper in the long run.

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:58 AM

In two weeks I won't have to pay either. The one and only benefit of hitting The Big Six-Oh! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:41 AM

Even in England the charges are a lot less, Barry. I need around 4 or 5 items a month for various minor maladies and pay an annual 'scrip charge of under £100 ( < $200 at todays rates) It is very annoying though that both Wales and Scotland have exemption from charges while us poor suckers in England still pay. The sooner an English parliament or assembly - along the lines of the Scottish and Welsh ones - is set up the better. Let's loose the shackles of the British Empires first occupation once and for all:-)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:21 AM

I'm not having one on you Scooby, just interested in how the UK health plans & perscription costs go.

I'm covered through my wife's employer & they take a hefty chunk out of her for it too. I went to refill some perscriptions for myself & my son & one of the one's for my son was $158 for a months worth & one for me was $350+. I called the health insurance & they said it was because these certain drugs weren't on their prefered drug list & they go on to list alt's. but the one for me the druggist said they make nothing like it so tough luck, & my son would need to take something else that has worst side effects. So I always keep an eye out when it comes to this type of shit.

A free scrit would've saved us $500 right there for only 2 & together we probably fill 12 per month + my wife (daughter is drug free, thank Christ)
Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:03 AM

Barry,
I dont know if your having me on but exempt means no charging for Dr's prescriptions.


Scooby

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:54 AM

I don't think the First of April is a very good day to introduce charges of this nature. But it actually is true.

I'm sure most people would welcome this in other parts as well - but who cares what we think?

Subject: RE: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:50 AM

Can you explain "exempt from prescription charges"? I may need to move to Wales for medical reasons. Reason being that even with medical insurance I can afford to pay the $500 or so a month co-pays here for my family.

Barry.

Subject: BS: Prescription Charges
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:42 AM

In Wales from Sunday everybody will be exempt from prescription charges.
What does the other parts of the UK think?.



Scooby