Comments on: ConnPACE Prescription Drug Program Decimated – Sustinet Democrats Sit Silent http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2009/11/30/connpace-decimated/ State and local issues affecting southwestern Greenwich Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:03:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: mike murphy http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2009/11/30/connpace-decimated/#comment-544 mike murphy Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:00:06 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/?p=255#comment-544 i have severe COPD for the last9 years and i keep getting rejected for medicine help because i have a few bucks in the bank and sep accounts. it's not that much but last year i had $1229 in troop i fell into the gap in mid year and had to ask for free samples from my p.c. and pulmonolgy doctor they both came through with enough to keep me in meds until the new year. now the drug companies cut the # of doses in their freebies in fact the hospital no longer accepts samples and gives discount coupons i need dental care because of COPD inhalers dry your mouth so much i can hardly talk. something must be done in this state for the people who worked their 45-50 years here and not worry so much about medicad where they have translators who go with the patients to any place where they can get free care. i'm not bitter or mad at these people who con the state out of how much money nobody knows. the state's policy is if you worked in your life you probably aren't to get help for your health i have severe COPD for the last9 years and i keep getting rejected for medicine help because i have a few bucks in the bank and sep accounts. it’s not that much but last year i had $1229 in troop i fell into the gap in mid year and had to ask for free samples from my p.c. and pulmonolgy doctor they both came through with enough to keep me in meds until the new year. now the drug companies cut the # of doses in their freebies in fact the hospital no longer accepts samples and gives discount coupons i need dental care because of COPD inhalers dry your mouth so much i can hardly talk. something must be done in this state for the people who worked their 45-50 years here and not worry so much about medicad where they have translators who go with the patients to any place where they can get free care. i’m not bitter or mad at these people who con the state out of how much money nobody knows. the state’s policy is if you worked in your life you probably aren’t to get help for your health

]]> By: John Bowman http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2009/11/30/connpace-decimated/#comment-262 John Bowman Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:16:39 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/?p=255#comment-262 As I said in my post, that particular new provision, that you have to use one of the really cheap plans or you get NOTHING, is really unfair to the people that need it most. I would suggest you contact the Greenwich Commission on Aging - see the comment above - there are ways to switch plans mid-year. Not always, but it is possible under certain conditions. They should be able to walk you through it. As I said in my post, that particular new provision, that you have to use one of the really cheap plans or you get NOTHING, is really unfair to the people that need it most. I would suggest you contact the Greenwich Commission on Aging – see the comment above – there are ways to switch plans mid-year. Not always, but it is possible under certain conditions. They should be able to walk you through it.

]]> By: Denise http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2009/11/30/connpace-decimated/#comment-249 Denise Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:36:14 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/?p=255#comment-249 My mother-in-law did not understand what ConnPace sent out in November, and failed to ask for any help too. She has been with a Medicare perscription plan for several years, and everything was going ok with the help of ConnPace. Now we find out in Janauary that her plan is not on the approved list of plans with ConnPace, plus she has received a payment book for $43.00 per month to continue a plan, ConnPace is not coordinating with. I tried making several phone calls yesterday to see what if anything can be done to help her, and all I got was recordings and music in the background, without a clue as to which buttons to press, to ask a human being some basic questions. What is an 88 year old woman suppose to do with this new generation of, press this button, if this, press this button if that, personal assistance has gone by the way side. OH, and you can look that up on the computer. NICE.....I have spent 1/2 a day reading info, legislation and blurps....not knowing if what I am reading has been updated, etc. ConnPace Plus??? did that pass or not. I will try the phones again tomorrow, but it appears her time table has lapsed to change plans, and no one seems to be able to direct us appropriately (or I can't speak with anyone, unless I stay on hold for an hour or so.) My mother-in-law did not understand what ConnPace sent out in November, and failed to ask for any help too. She has been with a Medicare perscription plan for several years, and everything was going ok with the help of ConnPace. Now we find out in Janauary that her plan is not on the approved list of plans with ConnPace, plus she has received a payment book for $43.00 per month to continue a plan, ConnPace is not coordinating with. I tried making several phone calls yesterday to see what if anything can be done to help her, and all I got was recordings and music in the background, without a clue as to which buttons to press, to ask a human being some basic questions. What is an 88 year old woman suppose to do with this new generation of, press this button, if this, press this button if that, personal assistance has gone by the way side. OH, and you can look that up on the computer. NICE…..I have spent 1/2 a day reading info, legislation and blurps….not knowing if what I am reading has been updated, etc. ConnPace Plus??? did that pass or not. I will try the phones again tomorrow, but it appears her time table has lapsed to change plans, and no one seems to be able to direct us appropriately (or I can’t speak with anyone, unless I stay on hold for an hour or so.)

]]> By: John Bowman http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2009/11/30/connpace-decimated/#comment-86 John Bowman Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:59:07 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/?p=255#comment-86 Thanks for your comment. You are exactly the person ConnPACE was touted to help and likely to be most hurt by these cuts. It definitely isn't fair because if wouldn't cost much to restore this program, which keeps people like yourself living at home and not on Medicaid. I must say that in the case of your particular drug situation, it sounds like a problem that can be solved by asking your doctor to work with the pharmacy and your prescription drug plan to correct the situation. Another good contact is the Greenwich Commission on Aging, located at the Senior Center: Director: Samuel E. Deibler Telephone: (203) 862-6710 (office) Fax: (203) 862-6701 Location: Senior Center, 299 Greenwich Avenue Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Administrative Clerical Assistant: Chicky Krois Best of luck to you and thanks for your comment. - John Thanks for your comment. You are exactly the person ConnPACE was touted to help and likely to be most hurt by these cuts. It definitely isn’t fair because if wouldn’t cost much to restore this program, which keeps people like yourself living at home and not on Medicaid. I must say that in the case of your particular drug situation, it sounds like a problem that can be solved by asking your doctor to work with the pharmacy and your prescription drug plan to correct the situation. Another good contact is the Greenwich Commission on Aging, located at the Senior Center:

Director: Samuel E. Deibler
Telephone: (203) 862-6710 (office)
Fax: (203) 862-6701
Location: Senior Center, 299 Greenwich Avenue
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Administrative Clerical Assistant: Chicky Krois

Best of luck to you and thanks for your comment.

- John

]]> By: Name Withheld http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/2009/11/30/connpace-decimated/#comment-85 Name Withheld Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:36:32 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/bowman/?p=255#comment-85 I am one of those individuals dependent on ConPace to allow me to afford my drugs during the hole in part D RX insurance. I am totally dependent on Social Security. I meet the criteria by having a income of $15,000 annually. This past month when my son went to pick up a perscription at Walgreens I was charged $85 because Walgreens had changed the supplier and ConnPace did not cover this supplier. I was not notified of this in advance and only because my son picked up my perscription and paid the amount was I able to continue these pills for the month. My perscription will be running out shortly and I cannot not afford the $85.00 when it was my understanding that I would not have to pay more then $16.25 by being enrolled in this program. My son has expenses that are mind boggling with a disabled wife and a daughter in college. In no way will I allow him to have this added expense even if it is for an additional month. This medication I can not do without but will have to. HELP get this heath care system changed so we all can have the same care available. That is my Xmas wish. I am one of those individuals dependent on ConPace to allow me to afford my drugs during the hole in part D RX insurance. I am totally dependent on Social Security. I meet the criteria by having a income of $15,000 annually. This past month when my son went to pick up a perscription at Walgreens I was charged $85 because Walgreens had changed the supplier and ConnPace did not cover this supplier. I was not notified of this in advance and only because my son picked up my perscription and paid the amount was I able to continue these pills for the month. My perscription will be running out shortly and I cannot not afford the $85.00 when it was my understanding that I would not have to pay more then $16.25 by being enrolled in this program. My son has expenses that are mind boggling with a disabled wife and a daughter in college. In no way will I allow him to have this added expense even if it is for an additional month. This medication I can not do without but will have to. HELP get this heath care system changed so we all can have the same care available.
That is my Xmas wish.

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