- This topic has 3 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I recently got Medicare. Since I live in another country where Medicare isn't available, but have an address in the U.S., I'm wondering about the possibility of finding an AP doc in the U.S. who will put me on the program. However, I don't know if Medicare will cover the prescription. I haven't found a doc here in Costa Rica who will put me on antibiotics.
Also, is there a Spanish translation available for the protocol?
Artzystuf,
If you have a relative or close friend in the US, you might want to have them call Medicare on your behalf and ask about coverage, in general, for you newly on Medicare and with physicians where you are now living.
If the Medicare 800 number works from where you now live, you may prefer to do this yourself.
About AP being covered, as to your doctor's charges for office visits, if Medicare says when you call them that they will pay out-of-country doctor visits, then that probably takes care those charges.
In the US, the last time I had the IVs, because I had a positive lab test for mycoplasma infection, the IVs were covered because IV clindamycin and/or cleocin are both FDA approved for treatment of infection.
About coverage of the Minocin/minocycline or other drugs you may be prescribed, that would be up to whichever drug prescription plan you have since coming under Medicare. The brand name Minocin prescription in the USA is quite expensive, but many report they have good results with the generic Watson and Teva brands of minocycline. Some of us order the brand name Minocin from Canada from Buy Low Drugs, and it costs a small fraction of what it would cost if we purchased it in the USA, and we pay for this (gladly) out of pocket.
You might want to call and talk with Dr. S in Iowa about treatment recommendations. He is very good about guiding patients, and will even work with their physicians — both on the phone and by fax or e-mail (or this was my understanding when I was his patient a number of years ago).
Good luck to you. You can work it out, I'm sure. Also, an AP physician in Texas (whom many like) has available Chamber of Commerce and Hospice rooms for a very small fee for a patient and a companion when coming to that city for treatment. If this is something you are interested in later, please ask for this specific information.
Best of luck to you,
AF
Hi
If you go to http://www.medicare .gov –you should be able to get answers –you must have some type of medicare prescription plan –then most likely a generic would be approved —I do find it surprising that you need our Medicare to obtain medical benefits considering you said Costa Rica is ranked ahead of the US in medical care !!!-Even it was a 1999 survey by the WHO ====
Richie
The topic ‘ Medicare’ is closed to new replies.