When I began writing this, I was sitting on my back porch in anticipation of the total solar eclipse, just as many of us in Central Indiana were doing. According to Google, the next eclipse visible from my back porch will be in 2153. I suppose I better not miss this one. FYI, this is the third total eclipse I’ve experienced in my lifetime. That is one advantage of growing up as a military brat and moving a lot.
As I waited for the eclipse to begin, I started thinking about two medical articles I read that bothered me. You might say these are the things that eclipse our pocketbooks, and in many ways, I see these two things going hand in hand.
The first article was about the massive amounts of money the manufacturer of Ozempic is making. I get it, it takes millions of dollars to research and create a drug, and that effort should be rewarded. But it recouped the cost of that research long ago. It takes the maker of this drug $5 to manufacture it, yet the retail price for one month of Ozempic is $1000. In 2022, the manufacturer grossed $57 BILLION. I’m not a Bernie Sanders fan, but in this case, he is right: that’s just not fair.
The second article was about the BILLIONS of dollars physicians are getting in various incentives to prescribe specific (expensive) drugs or medical devices. A couple of examples would include a new implant device for a knee replacement, or potentially, prescribing Ozempic.
Ironic isn’t it. The manufacturers and physician make mega bucks while our modest bank accounts get eclipsed. For just this one time; go get ’em Bernie Sanders.
Adams Insurance is experienced at helping folks to navigate the Medicare maze. Although we can’t make the costs of these expensive drugs go away, we are good at helping you minimize costs and find the plan best suited to you. Give us call and let us help you.