People without insurance

**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.

**sparks19** · 03-07-2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by K9soul

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.

That is very true.

When i went for my blood test... the "with insurance" rate was going to cost us over $500 bucks... but because we were paying cash it only cost us $140 for all the tests. One test alone would have cost $291 with insurance.... with cash payment it cost $60.

people are so shocked to hear how much our Dr is charging for the exams and delivery of my child.... they say it can't be true because with their insurance they had to pay 10's of thousands. it's amazing how cheap everything can be with the right Dr and without insurance. I mean really.... you are kinda paying the same amount with or without insurance... they just jack up the price for the insurance companies to pay.

**cassiesmom** · 03-07-2007, 01:57 PM

I'm a nurse and this is a rant I'd love to join.

A few thoughts
1) Tell the nurses at your doctor's office, or the doctor, that you need sample packs. When the pharmaceutical representative comes to the office that handles the brand you need, the office staff can get sample packs from the rep. Sometimes sample packs are made but the office just doesn't have that particular medication on hand. If they know in advance that they have a patient who needs a specific drug, they can stop that particular pharm rep and request samples.

2) There is the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (pparx.org) which is a program that links patients to pharmaceutical assistance programs of the different drug manufacturers. This is good if you don't know which one makes the drug you use. If you do (look on the prescription bottle or ask the pharmacist) you can look on their individual Web sites. The programs are out there but it falls to individual patients to hunt them down.

3) In Illinois our Governor is making his state of the State address today and he is going to propose insurance coverage for everyone in the state that's uninsured or under-insured. It will be interesting to see how it would be paid for and what the Illinois legislature thinks of the idea. We already have it for young children. At the same time the Cook County Board (that's Chicago) is trying to cut back services in the county health system to cut costs. Those two things (state and county) seem to me to be at cross purposes so we will have to watch and find out what happens.

**Zippy** · 03-07-2007, 01:00 PM

Without insurance I wouldn't be able to get my meds.I have bi-polar and can't live without my meds.I am so thankful for my insurance.

**Donnaj4962** · 03-07-2007, 01:17 PM

I am fortunate because I have insurance, but Jen, I understand and sympathize with you on those who don't have it. I work with seniors, many of who are struggling to live at or below the poverty level. Many of them have to make decisions every month on whether to buy meds or food! How sad is that? And Medicare D ???? Oh, please, don't get me started. That could be a whole new thread!

Of course, there are places that one without insurance can go to get their meds. Planned Parenthood can help with birth control pills, and many communities haev social service organizations that specialize in helping low income and no insurance folks with their health care costs. We here in Fort Wayne have the Neighborhood Health Clinic, Matthew 25, and even some local churches that help with meds. Often, you just need to call your local 211, and you can get the information you need.