I'll make a wager and say a moderator will chime in and state "No Politics!" :D Which makes sense because it could put those in severe pain into a flare, sometimes easily when our passions are raised. I don't have RSD and still my blood pressure goes through the roof on certain subjects like insurance.

Re: same situation
 

I am on medicare/medicaid and receive SSDI. Our good Governor is trying to make it law, that people on assistance like this take a pee test every visit. This has been required of me. I hate it that I am assumed to be a criminal. The doctors in this state for the most part are complying with this drug test policy. I think it is terrible to do to people as it assumes you are guilty. These tests can be asked of you at any of your doctors offices. I also thought it horrible that they charged over 500 for that test. No wonder our agencies are in trouble. I sure would have asked why the drug test cost that much when You were told it was $85. Seems to me someone is making some money on the deal. I live in Fla. ginnie

Hi Ingrid
 

Yes, I agree with you. Our insurance in this country is crazy. You stated you don't get drug coverage. A few years back before I got medicare and was waiting for a hearing, I was spending over $1,000 for medications in the states (per month) . Do you remember the RX Express? It was a train that US Citizens took up to canada to get their scripts at a reduced cost. I rode that train. I received three months of all my medications for under $300. Your costs up there are much better than in the states. Our Gov. does not bargin well for medications. We also have this thing called the donut hole. If you reach a certain cost with medications, you are again paying out of pocket for your medications until you reach the "next level" I think that our country could learn from your health care system even with flaws. It would be nice if both countries could exchange ideas and come up with something better for the both of us. ginnie

Ugh...that's HORRIBLE! Being required to take the test is one thing...sucks but if it's policy then it's policy...but the cost of it should not be paid by YOU. Who thinks of these things? It's not your fault that you are in pain and require the meds...they are expensive enough on their own. Then to add the cost of the test on top of that...what happens if you can't pay? You're just denied medical care because you can't afford a required pee test, even though you have done NOTHING wrong? I wouldn't wish RSD on anyone...not even my worst enemies...but sometimes I wish they could just know what it is like (for just a day) to live in pain on a daily basis like this and see how they like it?

Grrr...things like that just make me so mad. It's not even something I personally have had to deal with and it just sets me off to hear of good people suffering because of bogus laws and policies. I'm all for reforming the system...but why is it that every rule they put in place is not actually protection against those who are really abusing the system? THOSE people will still find ways to get away with it. It's the innocent people that end up suffering without the situation actually getting better.

Ginny, very strange you brought up that subject, something is afoot! Keep in mind my wife is not on medicaid, medicare only and the exact same thing happened to her. Not only did her doctor make her do a urine test, she also said it would cost $85. We've gotten a bill for $585. I know another patient the same thing happened to them. All tests are clean. We are now in the process of finding another doctor for her but they all, even before seeing her they want a urine test in which she is refusing until she talks with the doctor. Here in VA my thinking it's the DEA telling doctors how to treat patients who need narcotics for pain. I've been told by a relative who has severe spinal issues his doctor told him he received a call from the DEA telling him he should reduce his pain meds. His pain medication amount pale in comparison to those with severe RSD. Not only did the doctor refuse to do this he told them so and told my elderly relative what was said.

Part A is free. Part B is like $90 something. Part D is for meds and $30-40ish. And my supplement is running like $300.

I went for the best coverage I could get at the time. It is incredibly confusing.

I'm confused. So you are under retirement age, on SSDI and has a supplement plan? This is what I want my wife to have but seemed to be steered away from it on every turn, if it does exist in my State, but perhaps not. I was told there is no supplement plan for her. LIT LOVE, would you know of the best agency to call to get to the bottom of this. Thanks, jim

http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/...igap-home.aspx

After you put in your info, there is an option for Medigap policies for those under 65.

I promise I have many years to go before retirement age, and I'm on SSDI.

Hi Jimking
 

Our Good doctors, the true pain specialists, are under pressure in this state not to prescribe narcotics for their patients. Because this state is out of control with people taking them when not needed illegially, the state is cracking down on all doctors. There are a lot of side show doctors who practice cash only, and prescribe for people able to pay for their drugs. That is why the Governor is trying to pass this law. Unfortunatly it is trapping people who really do need the medication, and don't abuse it. I am blessed to have a doctor who gives me enough meds. so that my quality of life is better. I still don't like it though, that the state is doing this across the board so to speak. Fla. Has one of the worst reputaions for being the drug mill, it is true however. I have seen those clinics, with lines of people out the door. so Now our Good doctors are under the magnafing glass, and are being told to reduce what they prescribe. There is alot of pressue for them, so they turn away new patients and those on medicare. The system is faulty. Pain patients should not be made to suffer, for the actions of people who abuse. There are lots of articles in the papers about this down here. ginnie

Ginny--pain is subjective and docs aren't mind readers. Other than developing a long standing relationship between patient and doc, there are only a few ways for docs to figure out those that are abusing meds. Urine tests and pill counts are the main two. Since regulations can be pressed even at the county level, (maybe even city in some cases) there is a real risk to doc's livelihood and/or freedom. Pain patients can be viewed by many in society as med seeking junkies, but the docs that prescribe their meds can also be viewed as nothing more than drug dealers...

The setting of a standard pain clinic just doesn't seem conducive to a close doctor-patient relationship in many (if not most) cases. Perhaps pysch testing should be a component before patients start opiates. The solutions bring additional burdens and expenses to patients, though.

There is no easy answer. I don't object to urine tests, but I'm not having to personally cover the expense of them either. If there are docs marking up those urine tests to profit off them, to the tune of hundreds of dollars, then that's inexcusable IMO.