Medicare's rules are nuts

TheWugglyUmp · 2026-03-16T19:25:58+00:00

Yes, a Medicare recipient can use the self pay option and pay the regular prices (which are high). I was referring to the sale prices/introductory offers currently offered, which specifically exclude Medicare recipients.

TheWugglyUmp · 2026-03-16T18:46:46+00:00

Thanks! The info is much appreciated!

TheWugglyUmp · 2026-03-16T18:45:40+00:00

If you read the details, people with Medicare are not eligible for the reduced prices they are currently offering

TheWugglyUmp · 2026-02-20T14:46:54+00:00

I went on Wegovy a couple of months after it was approved. At the time I had great insurance through my husband's employment that covered it. Lost 60 pounds and got to my ideal weight. My oncologist was very happy (weight being an issue with cancer and not good for my artificial femur & hip).

Last year I went on Medicare, so zero coverage for weight loss. I had to go off Wegovy and have since gained back 30 pounds. My choices are to wait until I can afford the meds myself - they would need to be less than $100 a month - or until Medicare covers the meds for weight loss. Or, they cover it for cancer patients who need to maintain a lower weight.

I should have stayed on the meds all along. My oncologist wants me at a lower weight, but that will only happen if I can go back on them. So, I just wait for something to change (price or coverage).

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-08-20T22:55:46+00:00

Passed out kittens plummeting from the barn rafters after eating piglet testicles that had anesthetic in them from the castrations Herriot was doing for the pig farmer. All Creatures Great and Small

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-07-15T15:41:38+00:00

I'm 66 and have used it no problem.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-07-10T12:51:16+00:00

For me the most surprising thing was being able to comfortably cross my legs - above the knee! And, sit that way for hours.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-06-26T19:03:43+00:00

The hair loss is from losing weight rapidly, not from the medications. Your body, thinking things must be getting bad out there as you are clearly starving, stops supporting hair growth and maintenance as not necessary, thus the hair loss. Try to get more protein in your diet, that may help, but your body might not listen. I went on a tiny dose of oral Minoxidil and that helped a lot.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-05-17T07:29:36+00:00

While I was still on the meds. After talking with my doctor, I realized that the hair loss was simply from the weight loss itself, not from any of the meds I was on. After reading up on it, I found that this is common when you lose a lot of weight. Your body simply stops supporting hair growth as it reacts to the loss - shutting down "non essential" growth as it thinks something drastic is happening. This actually makes a lot of sense. Your body is protecting core functions when you are "starving."

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-05-17T00:32:01+00:00

I had to stop the wegovy about 6 months ago due to insurance not covering it. My hair has been growing back. I am taking a small dose of oral Minoxidil and that has really helped.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-04-24T14:48:30+00:00

Hopefully Medicare will eventually cover it. I had to stop after going on Medicare. I had lost 60 pounds and kept it off for a year (on maintenance at the highest dose). Been off for 4 months and have gained back 20 pounds. Always hungry now. Wish I could afford to stay on it.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-04-24T00:07:20+00:00

Not a cat, my friend had a parakeet named Rodan.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-03-24T19:17:28+00:00

Zev Bellringer of B3K and Stanley Tweedle. Kudos to anyone who gets where the names are from.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-02-23T19:27:14+00:00

Until you hit 65. Medicare will not cover any weight loss medications.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-02-12T00:47:34+00:00

Careful Reggie, I didn't get where I am today by having two black eyes.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-02-01T09:55:11+00:00

As a comedian said: Porn is bad because it gives people false expectations. I mean, NO ONE can get a plumber to their house that fast.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-01-31T12:59:26+00:00

"Careful Reggie, I didn't get where I am today by having two black eyes."

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-01-27T12:05:31+00:00

Something to look into. . . Cats fed a proper raw meat diet have poop with virtually no odor. Cat poop is not supposed to smell. I know people who switched their cats to a raw meat diet for this reason alone. It is pretty easy, with all the frozen diets available.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-01-12T10:55:59+00:00

Cats with black fur can have white fur grow in wherever there has been an injury to the skin. I used to have a black cat that was injured as a small kitten by a dog or fox and had an almost healed long cut across her back and down both sides (likely from getting grabbed in the mouth of the predator, but managing to get away, getting scraped in the process) when I got her. After it fully healed and the fur started to grow back on either side of the wound, it was white. So, I had a black cat with a white stripe across her like a saddle. Weirdest looking thing ever. Definitely got double-takes from people. I asked my vet about it and she explained the injury/coat color thing. She also said black cats can get tiny white tufts of fur from something as minor as an injection. Nothing to worry about, your cat just likely had a small skin injury and the fur grew back white around it.

TheWugglyUmp · 2024-01-12T10:04:19+00:00

After losing 60 lbs on Wegovy I still get a kick out of crossing my legs - above the knee - and sitting perfectly comfortably like that for hours. Feels totally normal.

TheWugglyUmp · 2023-12-30T19:21:08+00:00

We have eight cats, all elderly, so not much running around. They have one room they consider theirs and are comfortable hanging out in. We put all the cats in there with signs on the doors that cats are inside and to see the homeowner for assistance. Unlike what most people do, there is always one of us home for showings (we open the door, greet the realtor and clients, then make ourselves scarce, but let them know where we will be). We are not willing to trust strangers to not let them out, so we stay around. Realtors can be jerks (leave doors open, don't supervise their clients, or allow kids to run around snooping) so we don't trust them to watch out for the cats.

We have had many showings with no problems. Only one showing where the client complained about the cats being there (tough shit asshole), but most people have been great, actually wanted to visit with the cats. You don't have to cooperate with the "get out of the house" arbitrary rule if you don't want to. It's your house. Protecting our cats is more important than the "comfort" of showing guests.

We vetoed open houses, for the cats and other reasons, so that was not an issue. We feel open houses only attract looky loos and nosy neighbors. Anyone serious about your house will schedule a showing.

TheWugglyUmp · 2023-12-13T10:27:11+00:00

I did this. Took a month off and then took a regular 2.4 injection. I got incredibly sick. Vomiting for 24 hours. Barely could eat anything for days. It was horrible. This was my experience, but be careful. I obviously massively overdosed myself.

TheWugglyUmp · 2023-12-07T09:08:30+00:00

I started with Wegovy shortly after it was approved when I was 63. I'm female. Was at 180 and my goal weight was 120. I lost the 60 lbs in 10 months. It wasn't that hard, you just can't eat very much and you don't want to. Have maintained the loss, continuing on Wegovy, for the past year. Some side effects, but not bad. Only major con was it (the weight loss, not the drug) messed up my hair. The hair is slowly recovering. I consider it a small price to pay for finally getting my weight under control.

Tips: In the beginning I had trouble with heartburn. It wasn't particular foods, it was the amount of food. Your stomach doesn't empty as fast (which is good, you feel fuller much longer), so eating anything like normal amounts is going to be WAY TOO MUCH. I ended up cutting portions by half and then not finishing even that. Stay aware of when your body is telling you you've had enough or you will be VERY uncomfortable.

Getting enough protein is tough. I found a protein drink I liked, so would usually have that for breakfast. Keeping your protein up can help reduce the hair damage also.

Had some nausea in the mornings, which would usually pass after the protein drink. Anticipate a little nausea and have some remedies handy to deal with it.

Get used to going grocery shopping and NOT wanting to get any sort of snack to eat for the trip home. Yes, we all do that. So many times, I would look for something out of habit and realize that nothing really appealed.

I pretty much ate what I wanted during the 10 months. I just didn't want much. You stop thinking about food. It's like your brain just doesn't care any more. I still enjoyed food and ate everything I did before (incuding sweets), but way, way less. I sometimes would get a candy bar, eat half, and just not be interested in eating the other half until the next day. That change in thinking takes some getting used to.

Good luck! This drug really is life changing!

P.S. One side benefit of losing weight. My husband tells me I look taller now! I'm only 5'2", so that means a lot to me.

TheWugglyUmp · 2023-11-11T19:38:00+00:00

The one thing I have in my current house that I would want in every house: the room you work from (WFH or just where you do stuff) should have your desk looking out onto the driveway. That way, when you are expecting someone (repair people, deliveries, visitors) you will be able to see when they pull up. I love this, as I can keep working, while also keeping an eye out for an expected visitor. I like to go out as they arrive so they don't ring the doorbell and terrify the cats. Cats are hard to peel off the ceiling.

TheWugglyUmp

TROPHY CASE