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    Posted February 22, 2013 by
    mi88ourimary
    Location
    COLE CAMP MISSOURI
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Bitter pill: The cost of health care in the U.S.

    AARP UnitedHealthcare killing local pharmacies, destroying towns

     
    AARP offers healthinsurance through UnitedHealthcare, which acquired Optum, a mailorder pharmacy. UnitedHealthcare has changed policy for 2013, moving most local pharmacies to its nonpreferred pharmacy listing.

    UnitedHealthcare is charging more for prescriptions that are being filled by a nonpreferred pharmacy.

    When emailing AARP to find out if AARP will do anything about this change AARP stated they do not interfer with policies by their providers but strive to find value for their members.

    In addition, AARP MedicareRX Plans UnitedHealthcare is sending out misleading advertising. Case in point, page NINE uploaded. The ad states I could save $120.00 filling Synthroid(a thyroid medication) through the mailorder.

    Melody at the number to call, told me that Synthroid was a Tier 3 drug which means I would have to pay $120.00 for a three month supply. In 2012, the cost for Synthroid for the whole year, including co-pay and insurance payment was $97.32. IF THAT IS NOT FALSE ADVERTISING, WHAT IS.

    I live in a rural area of Missouri, it is fourteen miles one way to the local pharmacy, where I know the people who fill my prescriptions and who answer the telephone and my questions right away. I do not have to hang on to a call stating that, "My call is important to them", even though they let me spend ten minutes listening to their latest advertisement being droned into my ear.

    Now UnitedHealthcare also has large chain pharmacies, like Walgrens as their preferred pharmacies. For me that is a drive thirty miles one way.

    Yes, last year I could have changed provider, but compliications from cataract surgery prevented me from reading the insurance changes until after the date for changing plans.

    I am a senior with chronic illnesses that let me see the local pharmacy almost as much as the local grocer. Our town has a population of a little over one thousand. We are a farming community with people who come to town to socialize and exchange news and views about everything. The best place for that is the local barber, after him, is the local pharmacy.

    If AARP and UnitedHealthcare continue their plan of monopoly, jobs will be lost, and the community will be eroded.

    Since UnitedHealthcare receives government monies in the form of Medicare Payments is there someone who can stop this machine from destroying the fabric of Rural Americ, killing small business, and swallowing up patients whose call is important to them, even though their employees give wrong information and will not confirm anything in writing.

    I do not want to lose the link I have as a shut in, to my community. PLEASE HELP.

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