Holdiong Down
Prescription Costs
 Brother's
and Sister's, as you all are aware the costs of prescription drugs and
health care are right out front with all of the political debates that
have been going on and will continue to be a very burning issue in our
contract negations and with the political elections in November.
I went on line and have been doing some investigations about drug prices.
Most of us use the MEDCO mail in prescriptions to save money on the 90
day supplies. WELL, I have had my eyes opened during my investigations!
First of all the $4.00
lists that Walmart (I know I can hear the groans already and wondering
WHY WOULD ANYONE GO TO Walmart! Those of us who are retired and on fixed
incomes will tell you one word MONEY! That's why.) and TARGET have out
there are the SAME! So if you don't want to shop Walmart you can go to
TARGET and spend the same amount for generic prescriptions. So what I would
recommend everyone to do is print out a copy off the Internet and take
it to your doctor and have them put the list in your file and when it comes
time for a prescription have the doctor look to see if the medicine is
on the list and go that route for your prescription instead of MEDCO by
mail. Now another interesting bit of information that I discovered a medicine
that I take is $50.00 for a 90 days supply at Met MEDCO, at Target the
same medicine is $4.00 a 30 day supply making a 90 day supply $12.00 a
difference of $38.00. HELLO - Where am I going to get that medicine?
Also I had heard that you didn't need to be a member to use the Costco pharmacy. Well that did turn out to be TRUE! Since the pharmacies are state and federal regulated you have everyright to use them WITHOUT A MEMBERSHIP. To stare and compare prices you can access the information at www.costco.com and look for the pharmacy and access it that way. The same medicine at Medco again was $50.00 and at Costco it was $16.50 so again it was cheaper than MEDCO and some were cheaper than Target so again SHOP AROUND for the best "deal". So if you are out traveling and need some prescriptions or are at home you have more money saving options at your fingers. It's also a way to help lower the high costs of prescriptions that the company will be saying is killing them. So again if you know of any retirees that don't have access to the Internet please pass this along to them so we can help everyone save some money. After all that's the name of the game! The
Wal*Mart $4 Perscription web site.
If you have any questions please contact me at jimperkey@cwa7102.org In Unity, Jim Perkey EVP, 7102 Note: The Medco section
on www.myuhc.com
has an option "My RX Choices" that will check your current drugs
and tell you what they cost and if there is a generic that has a lower
co-pay cost to it. Also by going to "Claims and Balances" on
the site it will show what the plan paid and what you paid on
the drugs you ordered. (by webmaster)
Hints for Dealing with Benefits Department.
Health Benefits
Coordinators Carla Floyd
Do
not hesitate to use the HBC’s if you need assistance.
Program for Employee Information Referral 
If employees or members of their families are having problems, or have questions concerning alcohol, drugs, stress, domestic voilence, gambling, depression to mention a few, a PEIR can assist them find the rigt agency for assistance. Click on the link for more info. Feel free to contact any of the following. It's confidential. First number is work, second is pager or cell Merry Cunningham IA 515-235-3795 515-284-7464 Lorie Head * IA 515-246-2700 515-360-4555 Mark Rocha IA 515-480-6886 Denny Ryan IA 515-235-3779 515-971-5783 Carol Spurgeon IA 515-235-3773 515-967-1576 Theresa Weston IA 515-246-2662 515-558-1069 * Indicates Management Please
contact the Union Office for any assistance, if you are going through
|
& Investment Plan, Life Benefits http://qwestbenefits.csplans.com United Health
Care Medical and Prescription Drugs
Health Care and Group Life Benefits
Qwest Benefit Site
Qwest Retiree HR Site
Pension Information
USWESTRETIREE.ORG
Medicare Advantage Program Your source for information on these programs.
Forms
The following people have assisted our members with questions on pensions and reitrement. Feel free to take advantage of their services.
Whelan & Associates
Wealth Managemenent
FEDS HELPING TRANSITION to DIGITAL TV
Visit the Union Plus Benefits page for detailed summary of some great union negotiated discounts on a wide variety of goods and services. |
The 
Like
it or not, if you're among those who don't have a digital television or
digital service like cable or satellite, you have until February 17, 2009,
to purchase a digital converter box for your TV that uses antennas so you
can receive new digital broadcasts. In 1996, federal law mandated
that all analog transmissions be converted to digital television to provide
viewers with sharper pictures, a wider screen and greater sound quality.
The conversion, legislators said, would also free up airwaves for emergency
first responders and new wireless communications. If you can't afford
the new technology, you can get two $40 coupons from the federal government
to help cover the price of a digital converter box for your TV. Call 1
888 388-2009 or go to 
We ALL need to help keep costs down. Click above to find if you can reduce the cost.
Helping you fight the high cost of health care by letting you know the costs behind your co-pay.
|
To be the best site to find the latest information on matters that effect our members. People connecting with people... What the Internet does best! Copyright,
disclaimer and legal information.
|