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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roslynn on February 12, 2010, at 15:05:46
Hi everybody,
I know this is a dumb question but how do folks afford meds, especially brand name? I don't qualify for any of the pharm companies financial assistance programs because I have insurance.. yet I have a very high deductible to meet each year before insurance will kick in. So I have to pay out of pocket and I've found the generics don't work for me. This means I have to pay several hundred per month for the brand name meds.
I can't get samples from my doc either.Anyone have any ideas or just can relate to this?
Thank you,
Roslynn
Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2010, at 16:28:45
In reply to dumb question re:paying for meds, posted by Roslynn on February 12, 2010, at 15:05:46
Yup used to pay for brandname xanax. Still pay for brand name synthroid. Took all my disability check when did as also don't qualify as own a home. Phillipa
Posted by janejane on February 12, 2010, at 17:17:45
In reply to dumb question re:paying for meds, posted by Roslynn on February 12, 2010, at 15:05:46
Yeah, I can relate. I had to pay a lot for brand name wellbutrin xl when I was on it. Luckily, I'm not taking it anymore.
I did some googling and found this link put out by the state of Minnesota that has a list of reputable Canadian pharmacies. It might be cheaper for you to order your prescriptions from there. (Note: I haven't used Canadian pharmacies myself, but a friend did for a while and had no problem with it.)
http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?programid=536902438&agency=Rx
Posted by JayBTV2 on February 13, 2010, at 7:58:51
In reply to dumb question re:paying for meds, posted by Roslynn on February 12, 2010, at 15:05:46
This is a shot in the dark but if you have AAA (roadside assistance) you can get 10-40% off most meds if you present the card at the pharmacy.
That was something I wasn't aware of for a while (and I do have AAA).
Not sure of what else might help....
Posted by bleauberry on February 13, 2010, at 17:40:44
In reply to dumb question re:paying for meds, posted by Roslynn on February 12, 2010, at 15:05:46
I don't mention it here very often because it doesn't really fit the purpose of this particular forum, but I am a strong supporter of Christian values. Attending a Christian church every week is an extremely healthy thing to do for anyone with depression, anxiety, panic, or social phobia. Not only does God actually truly touch the lives of those that seek Him, but the help and aid from dozens or hundreds of other regular people can be breathtaking.
Why do I mention this? Because it is very common for donations from individual members or the church itself to be given to other members in need...monthly medicines, firewood, heating oil, food, all kinds of stuff. A church is not only a good place to be for mental and physical health improvement, but a place where your new aquaintances will help you where you can't help yourself.
Just a thought.
Other than that, most pharmaceutical companies have programs to help provide meds to those who cannot afford them. Sometimes there is no choice but to take a part time job or sell something or whatever to make some dollars. Whatever it takes. If the medicine is helping a lot, then none of those things are big barriers. If it isn't helping enough to be able to do any of those things, then there isn't any sense in paying for it in the first place?
Posted by Roslynn on February 14, 2010, at 16:02:34
In reply to Re: dumb question re:paying for meds, posted by bleauberry on February 13, 2010, at 17:40:44
Bleauberry, thank you for your thoughtful post. To respond to your last point, unfortunately I have found I cannot function without these meds (not even with the generic versions) yet I am not well enough to work. When I tried to go off the meds I had the return of suicidal thoughts which put me in a very dangerous situation. But no, the meds don't bring me around completely to high functioning. My pdoc is at a loss as far as other possible solutions other than to suggest rTMS. So....but thank you for your reply and a church is a good suggestion.
Roslynn
> I don't mention it here very often because it doesn't really fit the purpose of this particular forum, but I am a strong supporter of Christian values. Attending a Christian church every week is an extremely healthy thing to do for anyone with depression, anxiety, panic, or social phobia. Not only does God actually truly touch the lives of those that seek Him, but the help and aid from dozens or hundreds of other regular people can be breathtaking.
>
> Why do I mention this? Because it is very common for donations from individual members or the church itself to be given to other members in need...monthly medicines, firewood, heating oil, food, all kinds of stuff. A church is not only a good place to be for mental and physical health improvement, but a place where your new aquaintances will help you where you can't help yourself.
>
> Just a thought.
>
> Other than that, most pharmaceutical companies have programs to help provide meds to those who cannot afford them. Sometimes there is no choice but to take a part time job or sell something or whatever to make some dollars. Whatever it takes. If the medicine is helping a lot, then none of those things are big barriers. If it isn't helping enough to be able to do any of those things, then there isn't any sense in paying for it in the first place?
Posted by softheprairie on February 17, 2010, at 7:43:44
In reply to dumb question re:paying for meds, posted by Roslynn on February 12, 2010, at 15:05:46
>
>
> I know this is a dumb question but how do folks afford meds, especially brand name? I don't qualify for any of the pharm companies financial assistance programs because I have insurance.. yet I have a very high deductible to meet each year before insurance will kick in.
You may still qualify for the drug company's assistance program! I think they like to keep it not-well-known that they sometimes give the drug for free to people who do have drug coverage, but can't afford the co-pay or deductible. Why don't you just apply and see if they accept you? That's what I did in around 2008 or first part of 2009. I was honest and answered the question on their form that yes, I had insurance, and yes, I had pharmacy benefits, but I couldn't afford the co-pay on my Bystolic (which isn't even that expensive of a drug, and I know lots of people pay more for other meds than the $45 co-pay I had, but really, even that was too much for me). They accepted me!!! It was embarrassing to have to take the assistance form to my doctor and get her to sign it and agree to it being delivered to their office, but I guess my poverty was more powerful to me than my embarrassment, lol. Since then I have gotten on Medicare for being disabled long enough, and am just barely poor enough to qualify for Medicare's "Extra Help," which subsidizes my Plan D such that I have a low co-pay on it now that I can afford, and don't need to go through the drug maker and the extra steps of them sending it to my doctor's office.
This is the end of the thread.
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