What does it cost us to remain med-compliant?

Hi!

Many of us are having difficulties affording our meds.
Some of us are being forced off of our meds, if not now, then by Jan 1st.

I had gone to the Insurance and Finances forum and had gone to the thread there for low cost meds/med assistance and the thread is "closed."

I want to list some potential resources and am inviting others to do the same.

I hope we will help one another to find some solutions to financing our medications.

Much Love to All!

Some Potential Resources:

Most medical manufacturers offer some kind of patient assistance, so please do check with the manufacturer.

Potential Resources:

GoodRX.com

www.medicineassitancetool.org

RxAssist - Patient Assistance Programs

www.needymeds.org

www.patientassisantprograms.org

pharma.org

www.simplefill.com

https://www.nami.org/find-support/li...or-medications

www.patientadvocate.org

www.rxoutreach.org

www.rxhope.com


PLEASE add any potential resources!

Hi Wild Coyote. I almost wish your thread with your suggestions (and any that follow) would be made into a sticky in the "Bipolar Treatments" sub-forum, but perhaps with a more direct subject title. When first reading your title, I was a little confused by what the thread would contain.

I think it is an atrocity that people can't afford the medications they need. I realize that many medications are cheaper than others, but I am so sad that one must choose medications by cost over efficacy, at times. But without any insurance, I know that even the cheapest medications can be costly. And if those medications cause side effects, it can sometimes be a no-go.

Thank you for including those links. I guess at this time, I am not in need of special help affording my medications. I have the typical "big name" private insurance, and just so happen to take mostly all generic medications, many of which are even cheap generics. I do take Latuda, which is still only brand name.

Brand Name Drug Discounts: I urge anyone who is on a brand name medication to always visit the medication websites for company coupons. They can save lots of money on monthly co-pays. With my private medical insurance, with the Latuda coupon I save $60 per month in co-pays paying only $15 co-pay vs. $75. The problem with these coupons for others is that they often only apply to people with these big name private insurance companies (they're surely in cahoots in some way). I forget all of the small print, but I think those with Medicare may not be eligible to use some of these coupon cards. That sucks!!!!! I think those with no insurance can use the card, but there is a limit to the savings per month. For example, if the max per month savings is $400, that sounds all well and good, but if the sucker costs $1,000 per month, it's not so marvelous.

Medications in European countries, and many others, are significantly cheaper than in the US. It's all about the difference in medical coverage (i.e. universal vs. private) and basically...politics! Improvements can be made in the future, but it depends on the wishes of the voters. If you're in the US, I don't care what your political party is. If you want significant changes, enough people must voice that and hopefully it WILL change for the better, eventually. Vote and be active in communicating to your representatives. Ideally, representatives are supposed to represent the wishes of the majority of their constituents. Ideally.

My husband is nearing retirement age. He wants to retire at a reasonable age. Once he does, he'll be eligible for Medicare. I have Medicare as a secondary insurance, being on disability, but if I wasn't on disability and didn't have a job offering medical insurance, I'd have to do what many do. Either go without or pay into something on my own that is still too expensive for most. To me, this issue is NUMBER 1 in my life. Number 1.

Major Medication Manufacturers with Patient Assistance Programs


1) Pfizer

2) Sanofi-Aventis

3) Novartis

4) GlaxoSmithKline

5) Astrazeneca

6) Merck

7) Johnson & Johnson

8) Eli Lilly

9) Bristol-Myers Squibb

10) AbbVie Inc.

If your med manufacturer is not listed, please DO check with them. This is just a list of "major" manufacturers.

So you know, Janssen Pharmaceuticals is a Johnson & Johnson Company. See #7 above in Wild Coyote's list. They make several psych medications and other commonly-used medications.

Good Morning!

Thank you for your very helpful input!
We may be able to change the title and put this into a sticky?

I am in a hurry this morning and had been made aware of the fact that we have some members searching diligently for assistance prior to Jan. 1st., just a few short days away!

As mentioned, I had gone to the other forum and to the thread on this topic and the thread is closed. I, too, am hoping we can keep this thread here. I strongly feel we will have greater participation if we are allowed to leave this thread here. (Maybe we can copy it to the Insurance and Finances Forum when finished?)

I have a very busy day; yet, wanted to get started.

Thank you for your great insights, BirdDancer!
I can count on you for this kind of insight!

Love to All!

What's happening on January 1st?

Some of the pharma companies offer free medication. When I had no insurance I filled out an easy form from Astra Zeneca and got Seroquel completely free every month.

Yes, this should be a sticky.

Great! Thanks so much for sharing!

Some people are having their drug plans change on them. Many cannot afford the changes. They need help.

Thanks so much for helping out!

It is beyond awful that some people can’t afford the meds that significantly improve their quality of life. I’m in Australia. Most meds are $6.60 a month if you’re on disability, but some meds, like Lamictal, are not. This is because it is being used ‘off labile’. It is approved only for epilepsy. It costs $20 a month. Clonazepam is more expensive too. Like $15 a month depending on how much I take. Modafinil is $110 for 60 tablets and I was on two a day until I had to stop working and then couldn’t afford it. Pity as it worked so well.

Apparently chemotherapy meds are ridiculously expensive too. I’m thankfully now on relatively cheap meds. Our stupid government wants to make them more expensive. This will only cost lives. I’m so sorry for those who live in countries where you can’t take the meds that actually work. You also have to work hard (coupons etc) to get cheaper meds. The system is broken. I feel like no government gives a s*** about us. It looks like they actually would rather us on the streets.

Meds should be free, as should healthcare. I pay $50 a week for private health insurance, plus about $10 a week for the meds I’m on below. I’m on a disability pension so $60 a week cuts into my food budget, leaves me unable to buy presents for others, or clothes for me. Hence I need a casual job ASAP before my savings run out. Can’t work now until my hip heals and this anxiety calms down. I get worried I’m not going to be able to support myself.

Each year health insurance and drug insurance plans can make practically any changes they want. It really effects my husband and I we are both on SSDI and have needed to find a insurance plans ourselves which takes a lot of work. You compare plans against each other having to go med by Med cost. Some have a lower cost per med but could have a 400-500 yearly deductible. Some have higher Med costs but no deductible.

Both my husband and my drug plans changed

For instance 2019 my husbands prescription potassium was 12 something a month , now it will be 28.00 starting in January... all but 2 of his meds have basically doubled in cost. Sure 12-28 doesn’t sound like a big deal but when you are living off SSDI it’s huge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Christina Each year health insurance and drug insurance plans can make practically any changes they want. It really effects my husband and I we are both on SSDI and have needed to find a insurance plans ourselves which takes a lot of work. You compare plans against each other having to go med by Med cost. Some have a lower cost per med but could have a 400-500 yearly deductible. Some have higher Med costs but no deductible. Both my husband and my drug plans changed For instance 2019 my husbands prescription potassium was 12 something a month , now it will be 28.00 starting in January... all but 2 of his meds have basically doubled in cost. Sure 12-28 doesn’t sound like a big deal but when you are living off SSDI it’s huge.

It's disgusting, this situation with healthcare cost. I believe it is the #1 priority in our nation.

I am on MediCal (medicaid), but I'm right in the middle of the wait to be approved for SSDI. I want to be approved, but I'm worried about losing MediCal, mostly because I don't want to lose my treatment team.

Being on Medicaid can be difficult finding providers but “most “ all meds can be obtained through numerous programs.

Medicaid was never expanded in my state so I never was on it, but a friend was.

Going from Medicaid to SSDI is quite a jump in costs.. as it stands now you have to pick an Obamacare plan for 2 years then you flip to Medicare on SSDI.

My husbands plan had a 1600.00 yearly deductible... he did get a meds at a bit lower cost , a few drugs he just had to switch to a much less effective medication , even his Doctors filing for medically necessary didn’t help. His meds alone were over 150.00 a month. But we had to paid the first 1600 before insurance started paying anything.

He then dropped to Medicare .. the deductible is 250.00 each year, once that is met you have to pay the 20% balance that’s left after medicare pays its portion.

So honestly being on Medicaid is much better financially that a ACA plan or Medicare.

Anyone who thinks Medicare is some kinda fantastic insurance doesn’t really understand it.

Our health care system is as broken as our justice system

I AM REVIVING THIS THREAD.

~Christina has posted about difficulties affording the inhaler(s) and another med or two desperately needed by her husband.

Many of us experience similar challenges.

I thought I'd revive this thread as a resource for med assistance.

I had started this thread and immediately had a great deal of help putting these resources together!

Thanks so much to those who have helped to date.

I hope this helps everyone in need, although I know that's not likely. Maybe it will help someone(s)?

Love to All!

Welp, I am currently self-pay, as my insurance options are all over $1000 a month, due to my multiple long hospital stays. We cannot afford that and stil insure the children. So, I go without. i am 6 years overdue for a screening colonocscopy, but to do it out of pocket would likely be around $4-5K or so. I avoid helathcare at all cost. We just can't do it. When I thought I might be having an MI in May, I had to go to the ER. Had to. Three hours and $4K. Chaching.

I right now rely on GoodRX, which gets me down to around $220 a month out of pocket. I am constantly balancing between food and medicine. Every single day. I do not not eat well at all. But if I go without one of my meds, well, we know all about that... I know I am not alone in this, not at all. It makes me sad that I gave away a lot of free care when I was in practice to those in need, but now that I am in need, I cannot get any help. Except from my pdoc, who always cuts his bill for me. So sweet.

Anyway, those mfr. coupons can help a lot when you can find one. I may be looking at Ketamine this fall if my depression will not turn a corner and it is expensive. No idea how we will do that. I know it can be bought on the street, as the hip kids moronically use it to get high. But then, I would just get arrested, so, no-go there.

GOOD RX:

GoodRX.com

I've been a fan of GoodRX for years now. Although I have med coverage through private insurance, sometimes GoodRX beats the price. I have found great prices on oral meds. The savings offered on topical meds are truly outstanding.

I have done some "testing" of the GoodRX benefit program, their relationships with the pharmacies they list and their negotiated prices. Certain pharmacies, although they advertise a special relationship with GoodRX, fail to honor the most recent prices negotiated by GoodRX. One chain store was especially problematic. I then took 10 different GoodRX cards in to their pharmacy and they rejected all 10. I did report this experience to GoodRX.

After compiling a list of obstacles to getting the prices as listed on the GoodRX site, I called their headquarters and told them of my experiences.

Here's the advice from their Customer Service Department @ 1 (855) 268-2822. Their customer service reps are incredibly personable.

Do not use the GoodRx cards as your first choice. The cards are meant only for people unable to access the latest coupon available on the net. The prices given with the cards are not as good as the online coupons, which reflect the latest and the best offers via GoodRX.

Do go to their site. You may make a personal account there, listing your meds, so you don't have to look them up when you refill them and/or search again for the best price. You do not have to make an account.

By the way, membership is FREE.

You may print, email, text coupons. Phone APPs are available.

In some cases, there is a new option, called e-coupons, which "fly" to your pharmacy directly from the GoodRX site.

There is a GoodRX Gold Card offer. GoodRX tells me the Gold level membership, which does charge a small monthly fee, does not necessarily give better prices than the no cost plan. The Gold card membership comes with offers for additional medical/dental/eye care programs. In my area, the same plans are available at the same price without my paying for a GOLD card. I cannot say others will not benefit from a GOLD card membership. The good news is anyone can look into every offer associated with the Gold Card plan prior to agreeing to enrolling.

Pet owners: There is a PetRX program now.

Any questions/concerns, see the website or call the Customer Service Number listed above.

Good Luck!

Wowzer, super helpful, WC--thanks!!

Something I've posted elsewhere many times but it belongs here too is that even if the patient assistance application or people say you are not eligible for some reason (income, having SSDI/Medicare, etc) ,apply anyway. I include a note that you are asking for an exemption due to low income and inability to afford this med which works so much better than any other med for my issues. I have never been rejected with this approach. Sometimes they ask for me to fill out another form (sometimes just checking a box or two) and maybe provide a copy of my Med D card or income proof but always they've eventually given me the medication under patient assistance. It's completely worth trying because even if you find the company that doesn't make exceptions it doesn't cost anything to try and you may have good results.

Thanks WC for bringing this front and center again

I hope that it will help people get much needed medications !

I'm on SSDI and I pay 12.50 a month for my prescription plan which covers all my meds. Most are 3.95 for a 3 month script but the latuda is 8.95 for a tree month script. My sleep med in a controlled med and therefore I have to pay for it every month. They however would not cover a weight loss med my doctor wanted to put me on for the metabolic syndrome side effect of my AP. But around June July my costs are such that my co pay goes to $0.

The reason that wont help us is because they use our combined income on SSDI , we are living under poverty level, but they dont care. If we were divorced he could qualify for help regardless of him being on Medicare.. SO shame on us for being a loving married couple,, Like how dare us

This is why the elderly has a climbing rate of divorce after 50+ years of marriage because they can get help..

Pretty screwed up isn't it?? I get so angry and sad over it

Yeah that's pretty screwed up and why my daughter didn't marry for so long. Her meds are expensive and she needed the medical coverage.

Oklahoma has voted red in every presidential race this century and by at least 30 points every time. 2 Rep. senators, Rep. governor, 4/5 House of Rep. servants are Rep. The Trump administration has filed a request that the Sypreme Court end Obamacare, with total Republican support.

The citizens of Oklahoma just gave the finger to all those persons, because they, the people, who are suffering mightily, want healthcare. So, they voted to expand Medicaid by something like 250,000 people.

So, there you go. Who is out of touch now?

I don't know what more to say, my friend. You definitely seem caught between a rock and a hard place. I hope that someday, if you still can't work, that you might apply for SSDI. I am thinking that you do what you do now because of your children? It's an awful situation and you're certainly not alone in it.

When I compare my husband's native country to the US in terms of Healthcare coverage, I wonder why Americans are treated so cruelly. Why does one particular party hate Americans so much? Except the rich. They like them. I know what they want. It is certainly not a true Christian act they want to offer. It's the opposite. Those people seem to hate. They hate a lot of people. They hate. Or at the very least, they just don't give a damn, which is equally dangerous.

Right,. I planned very well for dissaster. I have a very good income, officially. But, I fully suppport 5 people, including me, and I support to the tune of about maybe 40% or so another two. Four of these are children.

Thanks.