The issue of prescription drug samples is one that is hotly debated. Some questions whether giving out samples to lower income patients is helping them by providing them with the medication they need or if it’s hurting them by giving them a sample of a prescription they can not afford in the long term. Here are some resources on the subject to help you decide what you think.
Dr. Wayne S. Strouse wrote a letter to the editor in response to a study that appeared in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine claiming that free drug samples are actually hurting uninsured patients. Strouse disagrees and points out that many of his Medicare and uninsured patients can barely afford to pay co-pays, let alone pay for a prescription. He also criticizes the study for comparing “patients [who are insured or on Medicare] to patients who have insurance (or with money)” saying that it “is comparing apples with oranges.” To read Dr. Strouse’s letter, go to http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/16/1/86-a.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published an article by guest essayist Benjamin Cohen on the topic of free drug samples. Cohen, who is obviously in favor of the samples, lists the benefits of drug samples as relief for needy patients and education for doctors. He claims that pharmaceutical drug representatives are invaluable to physicians because they provide information about new drugs and advancements that many doctors do not have time to research. He also points out the benefit to lower income and elderly patients who cannot afford prescription drugs on a regular basis. By providing them with drug samples, doctors can ensure their patients are getting the help they need. To read Cohen’s article visit the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle online at http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/OPINION02/806200344.
David E. Williams wrote an entry in his Health Business Blog on a new study that was published in the American Journal of Public Health, The study claims prescription drug samples are more often given to wealthy and insured Americans than low-income, uninsured patients. Williams responds with little surprise, stating that drug samples are more of a marketing tool by pharmaceutical companies and are not intended to solely help low-income patients. In fact, he writes, many free clinics don’t even accept drug samples because they know that their patients cannot afford the high-cost drugs long term. Since drug samples are used as a marketing tool, it would make sense that they are made available to insured patients who could then purchase them after trying them out, says Williams. The read this blog post visit http://www.healthbusinessblog.com/?p=1589.
The Delaware County Office of Service for the Aging (COSA) posted a fact sheet on a Medicare Prescription Drug Program, Part D, which took affect January 1, 2006. This federally subsidized drug program for seniors, available through private insurance companies, helps seniors with the cost of their prescription drugs by giving them coverage for a monthly premium of between $11 and $35 a month. This fact sheet describes the benefits and gives instructions on how to enroll in the program. The informational Web page also gives other suggestions on how to save money on drug costs including asking for drug samples from their doctor, buying medications in bulk and using generics when possible. To learn more about the program visit COSA’s Web site at http://www.delcosa.org/site/389/medicare_prescription_drug.aspx.
Ken Johnson, a Senior Vice President in the pharmaceutical division at Research and Manufacturers of America wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Times in response to an article that questions the value of the distribution of free drug samples to doctors for their patients. Johnson argues that many uninsured and low-income patients depend on free drug samples and by discontinuing them it would take away a valuable safety net for these patients. Read Johnson’s letter to the editor here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/opinion/l09drug.html.
A North Carolina resident wrote an opinion article for the News & Record on a current tax law in the state that taxes physicians for free drug samples. The article asserts that current tax laws consider free drugs samples part of the physicians “office supplies,” therefore making it taxable. The author points out that many doctors and patients depend on the free samples for affordable treatment and if doctors cannot pay the taxes on the medication they would not be able to accept them. To read this full article visit the News & Record’s Web site at http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/07/15/article/free_drug_samples_beneficial.
Home insurance is a great way of getting coverage for the damages of your home in the events of natural calamity and other accidental occurrences. Buying a home insurance policy is a good decision as it is related to the financial future of your entire family. It is an insurance policy that covers your house, the garage, other related structures, and also personal possessions inside the home against damages caused by everything from fire to natural disasters and even theft. Different home insurance policies offer different levels of coverage.
Home insurance is a type of policy in which a number of protections are combined into one unit. Some of these protections may cover things which are stolen from the home, or it may cover accidents which occur while a person is in their home. It is an investment in security and peace of mind. It is an investment in one’s future. It is not compulsory, but is highly recommended, as the cost of home repairs can be very high if a serious issue is encountered, and because most of an individual’s belongings are held within their home.
Replacement Cost which pays the actual cost of replacing your or possession with no deductions for depreciation. It means the cost to replace the property on the same premises with other property of comparable material and quality used for the same purpose. The term “replacement cost” may be defined in the policy of insurance, so it is important to review the actual policy language.
Replacement cost means that you will get the cost to replace your mobile home in the event it is destroyed. Actual cash value is the replacement cost less depreciation. Replacement value is something completely different than the home’s market value. This might be the cue to raise the amount of coverage, which will also raise the premiums. It is typically calculated by an insurance professional. Sometimes there is a conflict of what the mortgage company is demanding and what the insurance company calculates for replacement cost and consequently advises the insured to insure the property for.
Homeowners should be sure that they meet the security requirements of the insurance providers. They should accommodate locks and deadlocks at all the doors and windows, organize neighborhood watch patrol, and make sure that they fix theft alarms by recognized fitters. It may want to explore policies that offer protection for personal possessions as well. Checking out the Internet to find the options available for extensive protective coverage can be done.
Home insurance is basically the last but not the least step in building a house of your dreams. After all things you’ve done in building your own home, after buying all these furniture and decorating pieces, a wise thing will be to do is insure your house against different risks it may face. Home insurance is going to keep everyone in your family, including your pets safe and happy.
If you are currently paying too much for auto insurance, consider lowering your coverage by decreasing the amount of coverage you have and assuming an increased risk factor.
If you have an car that is worth less than $2500, it is likely that you are paying your insurance company more than the value of the vehicle. Check with the Blue Book value or have a reputable expert appraise it for you. Then, calculate the amount you pay per year in auto insurance. If the auto insurance amount is greater than the appraisal, you may want to assume the higher risk to bring down the cost. This is especially effective if you are a safe driver.
Some auto insurance companies allow you to customize your policy, so that you only pay for the coverage you desire. If you are a good driver and have a perfect or near-perfect record, you could request a higher deductible, which would reduce your premium. For example, you could choose to bite the bullet and pay for minor damages to your vehicle, while at the same time letting the insurance company cover any major damages caused by accidents.
Keep in mind when customizing your policy and/or assuming a higher risk that auto insurance prices are partially determined by statistical data. For example, cars which are stolen often will have higher premiums; cars that are costly to repair or are in for repairs often will have higher premiums.
By customizing your insurance coverage, you will soon see yourself with extra cash in your pocket in a relatively short period of time.
In today’s economy more and more people are trying to save money. Car insurance is a big expense in many houses. There are a few ways you can save money on your auto insurance. One way is to have all the drivers in your family in the same policy. Many companies offer some type of discount if you have more then one auto policy. Some companies even offer a discount if you have a home owner’s insurance policy with them. These are the most obvious.
If you have a teenager, bad driver, or someone in your house who got arrested for drinking and driving, it may be cheaper NOT to have them on your policy. You will pay extra to cover them. Do your research and check it out. Some people register their cars in towns or states where they have a second home and the rates are lower. This does work and will save you money
If you pay your whole policy cost up front for the year you get a discount. If there are not giving one ask why? Many companies do offer this. The insurance world is a business so don’t be scared to ask for a discount on things or why you are being charged for something.
Sounds basic but installing a car alarm system in your cars will yield you a discount, so will low mileage if you can prove it. Do some research online before you buy a car. If it is a high theft item it will cost more for insurance. Some people forget this.