Cytarabine, a chemotherapy drug used to treat leukemia and certain cases of lymphoma, is facing such a severe shortage that major medical centers have begun rationing the medication. A number of hospitals out of the drug are scrambling frantically to obtain more.

The drug is critical for patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. Without the medication, doctors say the condition could prove fatal.

Why Production Problems Could be Fatal

Three different companies manufacture cytarabine. Of them, two have been plagued with production problems and the third is not producing enough supply to satisfy increased demand. Currently, Hospira Inc. of Lake Forest, Illinois, is the only company still shipping the drug, but quantities are limited.

Last year, Hospira Inc. had problems obtaining the active ingredient used to produce cytarabine. This issue slowed down production immensely. Then, Fresenius’s APP Pharmaceuticals, another Illinois-based drug manufacturer, was forced to halt shipments due to particles found in the product. The particles were later found to be innocuous portions of the active ingredient dried into tiny clumps. However, when it comes to injectable medication for patients who are suffering from leukemia, any size particles are cause for concern.

photo credit: ninasaurusrex

This is because Medicaid and Medicare are federally-funded programs that offer standardized health care. These programs provide health care insurance for people in special situations, so applying for these isn’t exactly the same as applying for private insurance.

Medicare Insurance Quotes

What are your Medicare options? You can choose between Medicare Original (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C). If you opt for Medicare Original, you can buy supplemental private insurance, called Medigap, to fill in the coverage gaps.

Whether you choose Medicare Original or Medicare Advantage, you can also opt for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D*), which covers some of the costs of prescription medications.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or a Prescription Drug Plan, you can request a free senior health insurance quote right here. Submitting a request will help you find local insurance companies that offer the Medicare policies you’re interested in.

When purchasing Medigap insurance from private companies, it’s important to know that all Medigap policies are standardized in terms of the benefits and services they provide. However, these policies do differ in terms of fees and chargers that you incur. That means when comparing policies from different companies, it’s more important to compare the costs of those policies than the services they offer.

*You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:

• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
• The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m.7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or and
• Your State Medicaid Office

photo credit: Daquella manera

Reflect on the Health of Your Relationship

Take this opportunity to reflect on the current state of your relationship, as well as the fond memories you have of the first time you felt love for your significant other. The current state of your relationship may not be exactly what you had dreamed of — and that is perfectly healthy — but if it is causing sadness or depression it may be a good idea to speak with a mental health professional.

Speaking with a therapist could be both therapeutic for your own peace of mind, and it could also improve your relationship with your loved one long after retirement. Most senior health insurance providers offer coverage for mental health patients within their network.

Take advantage of the benefits that come from just letting all of your emotional stress out and sharing it with someone that can help steer you in the right direction. If your loved one wants to join in, the better-couples therapy can turn a potential separation into a renewed matrimony! Combining individual therapy with couples therapy, the flame will inevitably burn for eternity. The communication patterns that cause a relationship to spiral out of control can be reversed with the help of a trained professional.

What Could a Therapist Do to Improve the Health of My Relationship?

Sometimes a therapist that provides an ear and a shoulder to cry on is just not enough. In this case, medication may help get you back on track. If a mental health professional determines that medication will help resolve the current issues you are facing, check to see if your insurance provider covers the prescribed medication. If it does not cover it, you can find the generic brand and still receive the same benefits for a fraction of the cost.

Generic vs. Brand Name Prescription Drugs

One of the ways to keep your costs down is to ask your doctor to prescribe a generic version of the medication you’re buying now. Many plans charge a much lower co-pay amount for generic-brand medications than the much higher brand-name drugs. Be sure to check if the medication you’re taking now has a generic substitute that your health care plan will cover before you have your doctor change your prescription.

Even if the higher-costing brand name medicine you’re taking now doesn’t have a generic equivalent, there may be another drug on the market that could treat your medical condition at a lower cost. Always be sure to check with your doctor before you make the decision to switch drugs.

Buying Drugs in Bulk

Another way to save on drug costs is to buy in bulk whenever possible. Many drug plans offer volume discounts when you purchase three-month supplies of medication at once.

Finding Cheaper Pharmacies

You can also look for a cheaper pharmacy to buy your medications. Target and Wal-Mart have plans in place that allow them to sell most generic drugs for as low as four dollars per prescription. There are also many mail-order pharmacies that offer discounts for orders placed through the mail.

Ordering from Canada

Many people needing medications every month are finding cost relief by shopping for their medications in Canada. You can now purchase a 90-day supply of drugs without having to stop at the border by customs agents. U.S. government officials will also no longer seize mail-order prescription drug orders from Canada.