People without insurance

**JenBKR** · 03-07-2007, 08:44 AM

I am only putting this in the doghouse because there have been a few other threads about insurance, or the lack thereof, and some have gotten a bit heated.

I get my medications through a mail order pharmacy through my health insurance. However, I am very low on my meds, and I know that I don't have enough to last until my shipment. So I asked the doctor to call me in a one month refill to a local pharmacy to hold me over. However, my insurance would not cover this because I had a shipment coming. So I had no choice but to buy a week of Prozac on my own. I paid around $26 for seven pills for the generic! That's approximately $3.72/pill. (I'd hate to see what the brand name costs!) With my insurance, I get a three month supply for $30. At first, I was really upset about the cost, but then I started thinking.....what do people without insurance do? How do they cope? I imagine they have to do without a lot of medications. My way of thinking has changed a bit through this. I am not angry anymore that I paid so much for 7 pills, but instead I am very thankful that I HAVE insurance to cover me the rest of the time. My heart and prayers go out to everyone without insurance.

Sorry for the pointless rant, just had that on my mind

**catnapper** · 03-07-2007, 08:57 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, 10:57 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, 10:59 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, 11:04 AM

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, 11:06 AM

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..

**Freedom** · 03-07-2007, 05:02 PM

JenBKR, just wondering if you call your insurance co - even now, after the fact - and ask them what you are supposed to do when you get mixed up and don't re-order in time. There SHOULD be a way for you to get what you need!!!

I use a pharmacy, and the pharmacist has gotten to know Dad and I (and some of my pets) very well. If I mess up and need a refill and I am out of refills, he advances me 5, gets the doc to send in the new script, and then gives me the rest of the order.

CVS is known to be VERY high priced in this state. For YEARS they were the ONLY approved pharmacy for anyone on a Blue Cross plan. Talk about a monopoly! Three other pahrmacy chains had to join and file a law suit to get the legislature to make the needed changes! What a waste of funds, IMO.

I learned from when my Amber needed hypothyroid meds years ago to call around for the non - insurance covered meds. It seemed that every month I was getting it refilled at a different pharmacy. And they are all cooperative in handling the paper transfer themselves and leaving me out of it. So every time I need his meds, I called 3 or 4 places for the price, called back the order to which ever was the lowest, told them where the script was currently, and they took care of the transfer. Next day I would pick up his meds. And wait another month. My VET got mad that I wasn't getting the meds from him, and started charging $5 for a written prescription that left the office unfilled!!!!

As I am home caring for Dad and not working, I have to buy my insurance direct. There is only one company in the state that offers direct coverage - Blue Cross. For just me, one person, not a family plan, I am paying over $600 per month!

**Marigold2** · 03-07-2007, 05:05 PM

Hi Cassiesmom,

Excellent post.

**IRescue452** · 03-07-2007, 09:19 PM

I usually go without. After a lifetime, you get used to it. There's a million health issues I need taken care of. But its not going to happen. The one time I've been to the doctor in the past 4 years was when I ripped the tendons in my ankle. After 3 days of using our old crutches my grandma finally decided to pay for my visit out of pocket. It was only 400, but I'd never have gone otherwise.

**columbine** · 03-07-2007, 09:50 PM

In Massachusetts people will sometimes defer food expense by using a food pantry, then using the grocery budget to pay for their medicine. That's getting tricky, though, since so many people have caught on and the food pantries are stretched a bit thin. (Hmm, maybe it's time to whip out the ol' plastic and visit http://gbfb.org/ - things are going OK right now...)

Another thing you can do is ask a friend to fill your car up for you, in exchange for a return of the favor when you're doing well and they're not, and use the gas money for medicine.

There are also lots of places you can buy medicine online to get around the "she's American, she must be rich" surcharge. I used pillstrust.com when I hurt my back, and had my Flexeril before the covered supply ran out.

Love, Columbine

**Twisterdog** · 03-07-2007, 10:50 PM

We pay $270 per month for my step-son's medication ... AFTER our insurance pays some of it. It's crazy.

My son and I didn't have health insurance for ten years ... thank goodness we are both very healthy and nothing bad happened. It's such a frightening risk to take ... but sometimes there is nothing that can be done about it. I am self-employed and getting insurance for us was no where near my price range.

My parents are on dozens of prescription medications, as I'm sure most elderly people are. If it weren't for my dad's former employer's good retirement plan which pays for prescriptions, they would be dead, I'm sure.

**jenluckenbach** · 03-08-2007, 05:36 AM

I am withot health insurance.

And I have 3 prescriptions. #1 I have always been able to get samples of from the DR. #2 is inexpensive, so when samples are not available I can just get at a pharmacy. #3 I receive through a patient assistance plan.
For me it is the Dr. VISITS that kill me monetarily.

**wombat2u2004** · 03-08-2007, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by jenluckenbach

I am withot health insurance.

And I have 3 prescriptions. #1 I have always been able to get samples of from the DR. #2 is inexpensive, so when samples are not available I can just get at a pharmacy. #3 I receive through a patient assistance plan.
For me it is the Dr. VISITS that kill me monetarily.

This is all shocking to us poor Aussies......it shouldn't be that way for people.
Here it costs $35.00 to visit a doctor........and you claim back about $25.00
Wombat

**lizbud** · 03-08-2007, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Twisterdog

My parents are on dozens of prescription medications, as I'm sure most elderly people are. If it weren't for my dad's former employer's good retirement plan which pays for prescriptions, they would be dead, I'm sure.

A retirement plan like that is almost impossible to find anymore.

**moosmom** · 03-08-2007, 07:56 AM

Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a great program for people who do not have insurance. That's how I got my meds before I qualified for Title 19. I highly recommend it to anyone!!