Transitions

This week marks a pivotal transition period.  On Wednesday Sandi officially dissolved her association with her business partner of over 20 years and closed on her merger with another firm.  Today she moved her office to the new firm.

This move was not done because of problems with her former partner.  It was done to initiate her transition into retirement.  She will still service the same clients for the next couple of years but tax seasons should be much less intensive. 

Her former partner is quite a bit younger than Sandi and won't be retiring for several more years.  Also, she was not in a position to purchase the entire firm so here we are.  Yet another one of life's changes.

Here's what we know so far

Now that we've seen who some of Trump's staff is and after seeing him on 60 Minutes, here's what we know.

1. His supreme court nominee is going to be very conservative. Therefore we can expect an attack on Roe vs Wade and more rulings favoring gun rights and big business.
2. The Affordable Health Care Act is going to be either killed or changed dramatically.
3. All of which means the conservative agenda is alive and well, i.e. trickle down economics, screw the poor. They're on their own.

Same old story.  What we have here is George W. Bush but with a different hair style.
More to come.

Honoring our veterans

On this day, November 11, 2016, just three days after one of the most contentious election periods in history,  we honor our veterans.  Let's not forget that they served to make free elections possible.  So let's make them proud and move forward in the spirit of peace and cooperation.

Thank you, veterans.

Consider the alternative

If your political leanings are similar to mine, you awoke this morning to some very disappointing news.  However the way I've forced myself to view Trump's election is to reflect on the fact that it was the peaceful outcome of the democratic process.

The opportunity for citizens to choose their leader without gunfire or military coups or phony elections is what separates this nation from North Korea and Russia and Iran and just about every African nation.

So now we'll see what he can do in the next four years.  Personally, I don't see much of an impact on my life or my family.  But collectively as a nation and because republicans now have complete control of the Federal government, the implications are wide ranging.

For starters you can expect a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).  That's going to leave millions of people with no health insurance and at the mercy of  HMOs.  Second, for good or ill the next supreme court justice is going to be very conservative. That in itself could have the greatest impact.

That's just for starters.  For the rest we'll have to wait and see.  But one thing I can tell you for sure. If you're one of those people who voted for Trump hoping to see dramatic, life altering changes over the next four years, I have some very disappointing news for you.  It ain't gonna happen! Four years from now we'll be wondering what happened to all of those promises. And then we get to do it all over again to a new set of promises.  Such is the American political scene. 

Life as a ping pong ball...

That's what I've been feeling like the past couple of days-a ping pong ball, getting bounced around between Medicare, CVS pharmacy and my doctor's office.  I'm quite certain many of you have had the same feeling if you substitute your health insurance company for Medicare.

The issue we're talking about in this particular case is my prescription glucose test strips.  For the past 10 years I've only had to pay $10 out of pocket for a box of $80 test strips.  But when I went to pick up the last refill, the cost to me was over $80.  I asked why and they said Medicare refused to cover them because I'm only prediabetic, not a full diabetic.  I went back to my doctor and they said they don't understand the problem either. They coded the refill the same as always.  They suggested I call Medicare.

Now I've only had a couple of instances where I've had to call Medicare about something.  When I did, I was surprised to get fast efficient service. Not this time.  This time they said they really don't know why I wasn't covered.  I said if you don't know, then who does?  Sorry, the best that can happen is my doctor call the Medicare provider line or I pay for them outright and submit a claim. 

By now I was a tad agitated. I went back to my doctor (actually the nurse) who called the provider line and was informed that I needed to take the scrip to a medical supply house rather than a pharmacy.

Sooooo, I drive to my doc's office, get the scrip, call the supply house they recommended and was told sorry, we don't stock them anymore.  Pharmacies have taken over supplying test strips.

Now I'm really fuming.  While pondering my next move I did a Google search for glucose test strips, found a company in Boca Raton, FL that will supply the same brand and quantity for-wait for it-$19.95.  I was amazed.  Medicare was paying over $80 for the same thing I can get for $20.

A little further research revealed I can get the same test strips through Amazon for $15 and without a scrip as long as I don't go through insurance! 

I couldn't believe it.  What a system. Medicare (read the tax payer) is getting whacked for a product that has a 600% markup.  Is that true of other meds? 

If I were president I'd blow the cover off this whole scam.  In fact I think I'll write my Congressman.  There needs to be an investigation.  Stay tuned. I'm on a mission now.

Happy November

Happy November 1st.  To learn much more about the month of November, click here: georgeswebpage.com and in the navigation bar at the top of the page, click on 'About November'.