The recent letter to the editor, “Not thrilled with his Medicare experience,” (March 9), about a patient claiming their doctor required more frequent appointments due to Medicare requirements struck a chord with me.

For years, at annual physicals, I received annual prescriptions. Lately, I've had to schedule three or four appointments per year (including my annual physical) to renew prescriptions. I was told this was required by Medicare. Having experienced no adverse reactions to this medication in the past, I became suspicious. I emailed both of our senators to investigate this so-called "requirement." I received no answer.

I contacted my doctor's office recently to cancel what I considered an unnecessary appointment and to renew my prescription. I was again told this appointment was a Medicare requirement. I was granted a 30-day prescription and was given another appointment 30 days later. When I pressed further, this person admitted she had "misspoke" and that these appointments were an office policy.

Annual physicals and prescriptions have served me well for over 69 years. What purpose can unnecessary multiple appointments and subjecting one to quarterly lab tests serve? Greed? Holding one's prescription hostage is just another way for the medical industry to reach into our, and the government's pockets. It smacks of Medicare fraud and elder abuse to me.

Randy Pawlikowski

Lisbon