Posted by Zeke on January 8, 2000, at 21:45:13
In reply to Re: Ritalin Coverage, posted by JohnL on January 7, 2000, at 12:54:47
First, the Ritalin is cheaper cause with the wide use there are several competing generics. Some docs were skeptical about the generics being bioequivalent so you might want to try both and also ask your doc.
I feel almost INFURIATED that your insurance companies would have such an outrageous policy. Do they do this with any other meds??? If I were you guys, I'd call the company and ask to speak to their physician consultant who reviews neuropsychiatric cases (or if its for ADD, I might even be tempted to ask for the neurologist consultant) -- and get this cleared up. I just can't believe this. I guess there could be some cost saving motive but I see it as largely moral/political. (Like you say, Ritalin is fairly cheap, so the cost saving angle can't be that big a motive.) Adult ADD is now well documented and stimulants are the front line med -- don't these folks read the journals? But I guess you could remind them how much more expensive psychotherapy is than pharmacotherapy!!!
Sorry about ranting about this but kinda yanks my chain just hearing this!
Please keep me posted on what they say to you. (You guys are in HMOs or more traditional insurance?)
poster:Zeke
thread:17987
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18430.html