Posted by Renee N on January 9, 2000, at 0:48:53
In reply to Re: JohnL & Noa: Ritalin Coverage--can't believe this!, posted by Noa on January 8, 2000, at 23:34:06
> Oh, and BTW, the ritalin (actually I use the generic) is not for ADHD, but to augment my antidepressants. That shouldn't matter, though. I think it should be up to the physician.
I totally agree that physicians should decide what medicine their patients need. I could understand if the insurance company required the prescribing doctor to be a psychiatrist for psychotropic meds.
My HMO which is RushPrudential, didn't balk at ritalin, but did at ADDerall and dexadrine. I persisted in calling the HMO and my sychiatrist's office until I finally got it approved. There were two or three months when I spent $40-$78 for a stimulant. I now take ADDerall, Wellbutrin, and Effexor XR. I understand thatthe Effexor alone would cost over $200 per month without insurance. Wouldn't they have saved money if I would have been helped by ADDerall alone without the added ADs, as MANY are many adults with diagnosies of ADD. I just don't get it! Wake up and smell the coffee, HMO's,---ADD symptoms do not always magically dissapear at age 16, 18, or 99 for that matter! We don't like depending on drugs to get through life any more than you like payinng for them. I guess people who don't really have ADD problems and abuse stimulants make it very hard for those of us who need them to keep our jobs, sposes, kids, and sanity. Boy, am I on a roll tonight!
poster:Renee N
thread:17987
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18444.html