Need Affordable Solution

My healthcare is out of state (long story) and my primary can't write prescriptions for where I now live (NYC.) For the last year I've been seeing a psychiatrist who prescribed Mirtazapine. I'm now on a fixed regimen with no changes, and my visits with her are strictly perfunctory. I can't afford the $300 every other month, but she won't see me unless I stick to this. What I want is a doctor who continue the script with less frequent meetings (preferably "as needed.)

Are there any solutions to this dilemma? I'm not trying to "get around" anything .. I just want to continue with what I've been taking for the last year.

My guess would be, not likely. Arent You supposed to change your drivers license within 30 days of moving? And drs dont like to give out like annual prescriptions anymore, unfortunately. Seems like they used to, didnt they??

Hi pwalnuts, Is there a reason why you haven't switched your healthcare to NY?

In my experience, MD's want to be in contact at least every 3 months in order to renew prescriptions. If you're on a benzo, they want to connect with you (in person, by telephone, by online message) every month.

Yes I can understand this if you're on a benzo or other short-acting drug that runs the risk of dependence. This is the case here.

I'd have no problem connecting with an MD as frequently as they wanted, but it's the $300 every two months, out of pocket, that I can't afford.

I haven't switched to NY health insurance because my employer is located out of state, and for particular reasons (and the particular health insurance) I've had to hang on to it and use it when I'm there.

I don't think you're required to change your driver's license when moving. In my case I spend a good number of months in the other state (CA) each year and my driving is done almost exclusively there, so it makes sense to keep the license.

It isn't the frequency of visits that I'm trying to avoid in this case, it's the out of pocket expense. If I could meet once every six months and check in via phone .. or find a sliding-scale service .. that would be great.

yes here in the USA you are required to go to the DMV, notify them of the address change and they give you a sticker with your new address to place on the back of your license or state ID. this is required because should something happen ie tickets, a car accident or gosh forbid someone rams your vehicle and you die they know how to get a hold of you or your next of kin. there is a "grace period" which is the time between moving and when you are required to notify them. your state DMV (department of Motor Vehicles) will be able to tell you how much time you have for making the changes. usually its less than a year because most people periodically get notices from the DMV at least once a year, that are time sensitive meaning the notices get mailed to your address that it on the files and can not be forwarded. the notices have time stamps on them saying to send back to DMV 5 days after its been placed in the mailbox. the notices can be just an advertisement, or a reminder to update your information on their files or even because someone has reported to the post office that you are no longer at that address, or even someone saw your vehicle running a red light or doing a good deed...but the end result is the same if someone sends back these notices the DMV has the option to red flag your license as not valid and have it removed.

Also most if not all states now require places that ask for your ID for alcohol, banking or what ever and they do not see a valid address on it or conflicting address they are authorized to confiscate it as possible stolen or fake ID.

my suggestion contact your DMV and get your change of address sticker. its real simple to do. and in most cases doesnt cost a thing.

Change the address on my license & registrations | New York State DMV

Thanks for this information. My situation is slightly different in that I actually live in two different states for different months of the year with residence in each, and operate a vehicle exclusively in one. But this will apply to me shortly as my situation is changing and I will need a NY State drivers license. I did not realize that the process was so easy, and that if I have a valid license in one state it can simply be 'transferred' to another.

As to the need for ID, I do have a passport with NY address on it. I've never had anyone question it for banking purposes .. though most of that is done online and via bankcard # and/or social security number.

the only time people need a state ID is when they do not have a license. here in america a drivers license doubles as that persons state ID. just get your drivers license transferred over and that means you have a valid NY licensed ID card.

I've been in a similar situation before when working in a different state for 4-5 months of the year.

It took me two tries, but I found a primary care doctor who was willing to see me. Since you're only on one antidepressant medication, I don't see why a primary care doctor couldn't manage it, unless you just want to have a psychiatrist do it.

Even another psychiatrist might be a better option. I cannot think of a single good reason why a provider would need to see you every two months if you're stable on a simple one-antidepressant regimen. Sounds like they're seeing cash dollar signs.

I don't know if having your out of state provider send a 3-month prescription to a mail order pharmacy would be a workable option. You might run into the problem of it having been too long since you'd seen them, although I think technically they'd be able to prescribe 12 months of mirtazapine in most states without seeing you in person, although most would prefer 6 months to be the maximum.

I hope you find a way to work it out. It can be a real pain finding a doctor when you're not in the same location all year.

Thank you. Yes this is my situation exactly. When I try to describe it, there are a lot of questions .. but it really is rather straight-forward. And I understand the initial reaction of "doctors want to monitor you on a regular basis" .. but yes, a stable, simple, one-antidepressant regimen that has been established through regular visits, and these every-two-months visits do NOTHING for me, other than drain me of cash I need for other expenses. Feels ridiculous to have the prescription down to $15 a month but to be paying $300 every other month for this.

Can't give up the health insurance, and in fact hanging on to it saved my ***** a few years back when I was hospitalized and rang up a bill in the tens of thousands.

Seems crazy that there are so many ways 'around' the system if one is hooked to a dangerous drug, but when all you need is something straight-forward as this there are no exceptions. I've taken myself off the meds for now, anyway, as I've been left with no other choice until I resolve this or just stay off for good.

Okay, it makes sense to me now. I think your situation, pwalnuts, is one of those things people don't generally understand unless they've had experience with it themselves.

Wow. Yours is a tough place to be in. Geez, it seems like there would be doctors who have patients in your situation and know how to deal with those patients accordingly.