People without insurance

**catnapper** · 03-07-2007, 09:57 AM

Not a pointless rant in any way.

I myself don't kow what I'd do without insurance. I may complain at how much it doesn't cover, but when I find out just what they DO cover I'm thankful.

My migraine pills were once denied, so I had to pay out of pocket $225. for SIX pills. I was desperate so I paid it. When you need a medication, whether its for pain, or for maintainence, you still NEED these meds.

My dad has Cerebral Paulsey (sp?) and is also prone to seizures. With insurance he pays well over $300 a month for the maint. meds to simply prevent sesizures. He's on barbituates (another sp?) to prevent seizures, these pills are monitored very closely by the insurance company... if he needs a refill for tuesday he can't refill the Rx until monday night. Once he dropped a pill down the sink and asked for a replacement -- you'd think he was lying and sold it to some kid to get high

Oh, my point? My point is what if dad didn't have insurance? Would he still be able to get his meds from a pharmacy? I can envision him standing on some dark street corner getting his meds from a drug dealer

**Marigold2** · 03-07-2007, 11:57 AM

Many Dr's give away free sample packs to people who cannot afford it. Please speak to your Dr. Were I worked we actually use to through meds away because they expired the reps brought so much in. My daughter gets free samples all the time from her Dr. she has gotten over a years supply already for free. Good luck.

**JenBKR** · 03-07-2007, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Marigold2

Many Dr's give away free sample packs to people who cannot afford it. Please speak to your Dr. Were I worked we actually use to through meds away because they expired the reps brought so much in. My daughter gets free samples all the time from her Dr. she has gotten over a years supply already for free. Good luck.

My doctor didn't have any samples of Prozac at the time, they usually don't carry it. It's not a big deal for me, because I do have insurance, I am just feeling for those that don't

**Marigold2** · 03-07-2007, 12:04 PM

I feel for them as well. My meds cost me a pretty penny as well. There are free clinics but not everyone has access to a clinic close by. Dr's offices need to pass out the free samples to people who need them. Reps bring in suitcases full of the stuff, some drugs more then others. With a new drug they have lots of samples because they want the DR's to prescibe the stuff. It's all money driven as is everything in life except for love and oppsession.

**areias** · 03-07-2007, 12:06 PM

I do not have insurance either-I used to be on birth control when I had it-and well, I can't afford it now! I have no other meds that I need to take-but it gets hard when something happens and you know you should go to the doctor, but would rather not spend all the money..

**sparks19** · 03-07-2007, 12:50 PM

What pharmacy did you get these other pills from.... the ones that your insurance wouldn't cover?

I do not have insurance right now.... I am taking prenatal vitamins and 3 month supply cost $150 bucks at CVS. I was later speaking with a lady I know that works for an insurance company that deals with this type of stuff and she gave me some figures that would really shock you.

If I had gone to a mom and pop pharmacy or even Costco's pharmacy (which apparently you don't have to be a member to use) it would have cost us HALF or less than what we paid at CVS.

It was quite an interesting conversation. She said that most people don't look around for the best price because their insurance covers it.... but no one realizes how much the markup is in big name pharmacies like that. You could go to a family run place and other such places and get your meds for a fraction of the price you would pay at CVS or Rite Aid.

LOL not to mention I found out from the nurse later that taking two Flintstones Complete gives you the same thing my prenatal vitamins do. And it costs like 6 bucks for 150 lol.

**Marigold2** · 03-07-2007, 12:57 PM

Walmart is another place to get cheap refills.

**K9soul** · 03-07-2007, 01:00 PM

Insurance is responsible for driving the prices of things being so outrageous, because drug companies and hospitals can gouge a wealthy insurance company for more. A lot of hospitals have alternative charges (much more reasonable) for uninsured/cash paying patients. So while your bill may say a procedure was 5,000 and your insurance paid 4500 of that, a cash/uninsured patient may have gotten the same procedure for 1000 or less. Just basic examples. One could go on all day and night about the multiple aspects and facets of insurance. I think it can be good, but it also can be bad. The reason a lot of drugs and such became so expensive in the first place is because of insurance companies.