I feel like I've been punched.

[Katie G]

First, I've been very fortunate to work for an organization with such a generous prescription program.  Because of it, my DH has been able to take a medication that has provided much needed relief from a serious chronic condition, allowing him some kind of almost-normal life.

It normally lists for almost $600 for a one month supply and is not available as a generic.  In over 10 years of trying to treat this condition, it's the only thing that has worked, including  a host of "natural" remedies.  

I also have a chronic condition and my meds would normally list for about $250 for a one month supply.  Also not available in generic -- there's no such thing as generic insulin.

I've just heard that there's a plan to switch our insurance from the flat-rate copay we now enjoy to a percentage-based copay.  15% for generic, 35% for brand name.

If you do the math, that means our out-of-pocket costs are going to jump from $20 a month for just these two medications (we have others;  these are just the two most expensive) to almost $300 a month.

I simply do not know where we're going to squeeze out another $280 a month out of our household budget.  We're already living on a shoestring.  

I did the math and headed to the bathroom for a breakdown.

God, please let this just be a rumor......

[Judy Loux]

This already happened to me and my husband.  In January of this year.  My husband is on over 13 different medications a day after about 65 surgeries.  He is a Vet so after much prodding by me and grumbling from him he went to the VA and gets some of his medication through them for only $8 a script.  This helps but they won't cover all of his meds.  He of course cannot work so we rely on my income and it is not going up as much as our medication cost.  There is nothing we can do about the cost of my medication so I have to pay the 35% increase.

If your DH is a vet you may be able to get help from the VA.

Ddiva

[donnap99]

I'm so sorry to see this! I can imagine how devastated you must feel. Two of my kids take multiple psychotropic drugs and they would cost a total of over $2,500 per month without a prescription plan. I've never heard of the kind of plan you describe, but I certainly hope it is just a rumor for you sake -- and not a trend, for my sake!


DonnaP99

[Susan V]

Hang in there and try not to get to upset.  If for some reason it does, most insurance companies have plan that you can mail in your perscription and get a 6 month supply at a considerable savings instead of paying for month by month.  

It's not the greatest solutions, but better then nothing!

Good luck

[geminigirl]

Didface

How awful for you.  I guess we in the UK don't realise just how lucky we are - National Health Service prescriptions here cost about £6 ($10??) or so an item and I think that's expensive, sometimes.

I hope that this doesn't come to fruition and that you can continue with your current programme.  

So, what actually happens if one doesn't have medical insurance and can't afford prescription drugs?  The system can't just let you rot, can it?

Thinking good thoughts for you.

[spitfire78]

Unfortunately, Gemini, we don't have a "system" - which is a real problem.  It's kind of every man for himself here.  Most of the large drug companies do have programs to assist people with low incomes.  But it's doubtful Didface would qualify because their income would be too "large"!  We actually have instances where elderly people have had to choose between groceries and medication because they can't afford both.  It's a disgraceful situation in this country, particularly when the drug companies are making mega-bucks.

[bluefire21]

I work for a Pharmaceutical Caterer (We do Dr's Lunches).  I have put in a few calls to my reps to see if they can help.  PM me with your med names and what company produces them, and I see if I can help.

To be fair to the companies, yes they make a lot of money, but it is also VERY expensive to research and come up with new drugs.  Also factor in lawsuits, marketing to doctors, employee salaries and other things.  

Yes they make a lot of profit, but 90% or more gets put into R&D.

Ellen in TX

[yc1]

Just had to comment on this - This is absoultely horrendous for you - having money difficulties is difficult to manage in the first place but then knowing that you have to pay out such large amounts for vital medicines, my heart reaches out to you.   . I agree with Geminigirl we are very lucky in the UK although we moan about the National Health Service, at least we don't have to have private medical insurance if we don't want to.

To make matters worse as a Diabetic myself - we actually get all prescriptions free for life... I don't what I would do if we had to pay I'm the wage earner as my husband cannot work through back problems.

Hope this doesn't come to fruition.

Yvonne   - through to the next round!!!

[Katie G]

Well, it's happening.

Fortunately, we realized our furnace will be paid off in September (yay!) so we have a bit of cash freed up from that.  The rest, well, we're looking at our phone service and may be able to make a change there to save us some money.  The projects around the house we had planned for this summer are on hold and we're re-working our vacation plans (we'll just take time off and stay home instead of trying to go anywhere). Fortunately, the supplies for my insulin pump are covered under the medical plan as medical equipment, not as pharmaceuticals under the prescription plan.  

So, we'll muddle through.  

Thanks for all your good vibes.  They're much appreciated.