Moving to NY
Aug 20th 2007, 2:55 pm
#31
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Moving to NY
I am interested in why they would pay that amount for their drugs.
My wife is diabetic and takes about 6 drugs for that and ancillary problems. All but one of those drugs is available for $10 per month in the generic version. Wal-Marts I believe has a program where generic drugs are as little as $4 a month.
I understand that drugs just on the market are covered by patent and there isn't a generic version but that wouldn't be many cases.
We moved from the UK to the US when I retired. My UK government pension is increased by the exchange rate and my wife gets her Oregon PERS pension. We are much better off in Oregon, even with the US medical system, than we would be in the UK.
My wife is diabetic and takes about 6 drugs for that and ancillary problems. All but one of those drugs is available for $10 per month in the generic version. Wal-Marts I believe has a program where generic drugs are as little as $4 a month.
I understand that drugs just on the market are covered by patent and there isn't a generic version but that wouldn't be many cases.
We moved from the UK to the US when I retired. My UK government pension is increased by the exchange rate and my wife gets her Oregon PERS pension. We are much better off in Oregon, even with the US medical system, than we would be in the UK.
Aug 20th 2007, 4:09 pm
#34
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,966
Re: Moving to NY
Not being argumentative just trying to learn a bit more about the US medical system.
Aug 20th 2007, 4:14 pm
#35
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: Moving to NY
OK that I accept but Blue Cross/Blue Shield do generic drugs for $10 so I would be surprised if other insurers didn't have a similar option or is that not the case have we struck lucky in our particular circumstances.
Not being argumentative just trying to learn a bit more about the US medical system.
Not being argumentative just trying to learn a bit more about the US medical system.
Branded drugs include not recent developments and advances, but also more convenient and better metabolised versions of older drugs.
If you needed insulin, I expect you would probably prefer to administer it with a pen rather than a syringe. Unlike in Europe, most US diabetics are forced to use the latter because the insurers do not fund the pens unless dire need can be proven.
Aug 20th 2007, 4:19 pm
#36
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Moving to NY
The pharmaceutical companies do everything in their power to extend the life of their patents, sometimes by adding an additional drug and rebranding the whole thing.
Failing that, they seek OTC approval. OTC drugs can cost far, far more for a 30-day supply than if you'd bought the generic with a prescription.
Failing that, they seek OTC approval. OTC drugs can cost far, far more for a 30-day supply than if you'd bought the generic with a prescription.
Aug 20th 2007, 7:17 pm
#37
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,010
Re: Moving to NY
The pharmaceutical companies do everything in their power to extend the life of their patents, sometimes by adding an additional drug and rebranding the whole thing.
Failing that, they seek OTC approval. OTC drugs can cost far, far more for a 30-day supply than if you'd bought the generic with a prescription.
Failing that, they seek OTC approval. OTC drugs can cost far, far more for a 30-day supply than if you'd bought the generic with a prescription.
But yes, I think a lot depends on whether the generic works for you. I take another routine medication for which there is no generic and being on the "non preferred" list I was paying $50 a prescription - that was on the NC health insurance plan.
Aug 20th 2007, 7:26 pm
#38
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Moving to NY
I pay about the same for a 3 mths supply of Nexium under our prescription insurance plan. It would cost approximately 10 times as much without insurance.
Aug 20th 2007, 9:29 pm
#39
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: St Ives to So. Cal.
Posts: 258
Re: Moving to NY
OK that I accept but Blue Cross/Blue Shield do generic drugs for $10 so I would be surprised if other insurers didn't have a similar option or is that not the case have we struck lucky in our particular circumstances.
Not being argumentative just trying to learn a bit more about the US medical system.
Not being argumentative just trying to learn a bit more about the US medical system.
Prescriptions costs are also based on your type of insurance plan - PPO, HMO and what type of prescription plan they have in place.
Dawn
PS: My insurance is Blue Cross of California PPO
Aug 21st 2007, 11:51 pm
#40
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: new jersey
Posts: 25
Re: Moving to NY
I would suggest that you get professional tax advice (a cpa): when I came here on an h1 visa I was able to deduct most of my living expenses for the first year. Maybe the tax laws have changed, and there again maybe they haven't?
Since you're intending to rent you can ignore comments on property tax in NJ. Plenty of rentals in hoboken and newport/jersey city if manhattan is too expensive.
Since you're intending to rent you can ignore comments on property tax in NJ. Plenty of rentals in hoboken and newport/jersey city if manhattan is too expensive.
Aug 22nd 2007, 1:09 am
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Moving to NY
Yes I know you can unlock them, but you then either need a PAL - NTSC converter or a multi system TV or is that not so?
You can also buy for about $60 a multi region DVD player with the converter built in, so why bother hacking some cheap low quality player from Wal-Mart.
You can also buy for about $60 a multi region DVD player with the converter built in, so why bother hacking some cheap low quality player from Wal-Mart.
Aug 22nd 2007, 7:19 am
#42
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,010
Re: Moving to NY
That's the one I've had for 5 years (actually it's a 350). They're often on sale for 20 bucks.
