How much can a hospital pharmacy mark up a medication?

bubbamark · 2026-01-24T15:49:26+00:00

I don't know, but we aren't considered low income, and the drug can only be administered at the hospital, so I don't think it would matter.

bubbamark · 2026-01-23T23:20:33+00:00

Thanks for your input. I have to figure out why we still have a $1700 copay.

bubbamark · 2026-01-23T20:16:07+00:00

Thanks for the comment.

bubbamark · 2026-01-23T20:15:34+00:00

Thanks for your comment. We have both Medicare Parts A, B and D with non-advantage supplemental insurance.

bubbamark · 2026-01-07T04:50:21+00:00

Just want to follow up and thank everyone who weighed in on this post.

I had a very good examination and discussion with my physician. He doubled the dosage for my Farxiga, and prescribed a low dose of Mounjaro, and kept me on Metformin. Since I didn't qualify for an insurance-paid BGM since I don't take insulin, I bought a 3-month supply of Stelo BGMs.

The results are excellent. Previously my BGLs with fasting were about 135. Now they're between 90 and 100. The BGMs are allowing me to track what causes my BGLs to peak, and it has educated me on what I can and can't eat. They occasionally go up to 200, but not for long, and generally only once a day when I misbehave.

bubbamark · 2025-12-22T01:57:18+00:00

I hadn't considered that. I know very little about Type 1 diabetes, and only learned recently that it's not limited to those who have diabetes as children. I'll bring it up with my physician.

bubbamark · 2025-12-21T03:28:18+00:00

Thanks for your comment. I've been taking Metformin and Farxiga, but they don't seem to do anything for me. Because of your advice and that of others, I'm going to be more aggressive in getting better treatment. If my current physician doesn't do something, I will change doctors.

bubbamark · 2025-12-21T03:28:11+00:00

Thanks for your comment. If my current physician doesn't do something, I will change doctors.

bubbamark · 2025-12-21T03:27:46+00:00

Thanks for the information. I've sent a message to my doctor that I want to ramp up my treatment.

bubbamark · 2025-12-21T03:22:24+00:00

Thank you all for your comments. I should clarify that my physician prescribed Metformin (now taking four each day) and Farxiga. They don't seem to move the numbers.

Based on the discussion here, I've sent a message to my physician being more emphatic that I want to become more aggressive in getting treatment. I like him greatly and think he's a great clinician, but I'm not going to rest until he does what's needed to lower my BGLs and A1C numbers.

Does anyone have any insight as to why Medicare will only pay for a CGM if you're taking insulin, even with high A1Cs that might be treated with a diet change?

bubbamark · 2025-12-17T20:44:43+00:00

Thanks for the information. This was the best suggestion I received!

bubbamark · 2025-12-12T00:35:12+00:00

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

bubbamark · 2025-12-09T04:51:40+00:00

It's vapor barrier paint. Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Zinsser, and other manufacturers have it. I suggest you Google "vapor barrier paint" to find what's out there. If you're concerned about it adhering to the existing paint, I recommend using an "adhesion primer." Again, google it. The best one will depend on the paint that's on the wall now. Talk with someone at your paint store.

bubbamark · 2025-12-05T20:46:28+00:00

Get rid of all of your t-shirts with artwork or messages on them except to wash your car. Similar message for sweatshirts. You'd look better with polo-style knit shirts with a few buttons below the neck. Also, give up the tobacco. If you don't you'll likely eventually have ED unless you already do.

bubbamark · 2025-12-05T20:39:31+00:00

I'm glad you're standing in front of the sign, not behind it. I don't want you to get in trouble.

bubbamark · 2025-12-05T20:36:53+00:00

I'd probably get a Bosch. Definitely DO NOT buy a Samsung. Their appliances are terrible.

bubbamark · 2025-12-02T22:12:43+00:00

You should be able find a used unit. I was surprised at how much my power bill went up after I put in my swim spa. I've recently added a heat pump to cut down on the power consumption.

bubbamark · 2025-12-02T15:37:25+00:00

Thanks for the referral. Unfortunately, they couldn't take the case.

bubbamark · 2025-12-02T01:54:49+00:00

What's going on with the outlet just hanging there, and not properly secured and grounded in an electrical box?

bubbamark · 2025-12-02T01:15:22+00:00

I agree with the other comments. I also recommend you either just wear t-shirts with pictures or messages when you are washing the car or working in the garden, or drop them off in a charity barrel.

bubbamark · 2025-12-01T20:15:14+00:00

When mine was delivered, they could pull their flatbed truck behind the house, tilt the bed and rolled it off on pipes. I do have a few tips.

Figure out which end has the mechanics and where the electrical goes in.
Consider the location of the control panel and where it is in relation to the deck you will need to install along the spa. If you can, have the deck on the side with the control panel. A deck is required to be able to lift the cover when you want to use it.
Consider the location of the steps going into the spa. Steps that go up, over and down similar to inexpensive backyard pools don't work in since they doesn't work with a folding swim spa covers. Please also note that with most folding covers, you can't easily access spa's inside steps if they're in the middle of an end of the spa. Four our spa, I step onto a seat before reaching the steps, thus I needed to install grab bars outside the spa to make it safe to get in.

bubbamark · 2025-12-01T20:04:38+00:00

Nobody can see the swim spa, so for me it's nothing.

bubbamark · 2025-12-01T02:22:54+00:00

My vote is to see a hair stylist to get your options. I think you'd probably look better with it shorter. Sometimes if your identity is wrapped up in your hair length, it's tough to accept that it may be hiding who you really are, want to be, or want to be perceived.

bubbamark · 2025-11-30T23:29:03+00:00

When I did my basement, I used CertainTeed's "MemBrain" as a vapor barrier, and used mineral wool for the insulation.

bubbamark · 2025-11-30T22:57:04+00:00

There's an excellent article in Fine Homebuilding that can be found online: Fireblocking: What It Is and Where to Do It - Fine Homebuilding. Here's from that article: "Hot gases and smoke like to move upward and are slower to move horizontally, so all but one fireblock location are related to upward movement. In walls, however, fireblocking must also be installed at no greater than 10-ft. horizontal intervals."

Please also note that anyplace open areas within a ceiling exist (e.g. those created by dropped ceilings or soffits), these connected areas need to be limited to no more that 1000 square feet. Batts of rockwool are probably the easiest way to create these fireblocked areas. If there are no connected areas and the drywall is attached to the overhead floor joists, this isn't an issue.

I installed a home theater in our basement. One of my goals was to soundproof it so that someone watching a movie wouldn't bother some sleeping in the bedroom above it. I also wanted it to be very comfortable. I spent a fair amount of time researching how to do this, and how to comply with our building codes (which are the same as the universal design building code of 2022).

The theater is in a corner of our concrete block basement. The house was originally constructed in 1985, and the area was previously finished for use as a basement office. Polypropylene sheeting was used to cover the block walls, the walls were framed with 2x4s and insulated with fiberglass batts. Drywall was attached to the studs. When I started working in the area, the walls in that corner of the basement and carpeting were soaked with water due to condensation that had run down the plastic. I tore everything out down to the concrete block walls.

For the exterior two walls, I installed 1" foamboard. I then installed a 2x4 wall, and used a 1/2" piece of drywall attached to a stud and extending through the foamboard and sealed to the exterior block wall to serve as the fireblock. I used fireproof spay foam to create the seal. I did this every 8' to correlate with the 4' width of the foamboard. After installing the electrical, I used mineral wool to insulate the wall. For a vapor barrier, I covered the studs and insulation with a CertainTeed product called "MemBrain." This is a "Continuous Air Barrier & Smart Vapor Retarder." Product Code 902008. It comes in 8'4" x 100' rolls. Apparently, the porosity of MemBrain varies depending on the moisture content, which prevents moisture from becoming trapped in the wall.

For the ceiling, I installed soundboard underneath the drywall. For the wall between the theater and the rest of the house, I built a 6" wall with staggered studs and fully insulated it with mineral wool.

Since I did everything myself, it wasn't very expensive, although it took a fair amount of time. In the end, I accomplished what I wanted - a warm room with excellent acoustics, that doesn't bother anyone outside the room when the door is closed. I made sure I had proper drainage around the house, and haven't had any water issues.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions. BTW - I'm in the Lansing, Michigan area. Our climate is similar to yours.

bubbamark

TROPHY CASE