Erin, your relationship with your doctor should be a partnership....not a control issue. Your doctor cannot make you do anything. He or she can recommend certain treatments but the final decision is up to you.

As long as I can think for myself I will never leave my health care decisions entirely up to one doctor. It's my responsibility to be an active participant.

I paid for COBRA for awhile, and it sure ain't easy when you're not working! Part of the stimulus bill, one of the BEST parts in my opinion, is that the government will now pay a chunk of it. I can't remember how big the chunk is, but it's something. It certainly would have helped me when I was in that situation. I'm optimistic too that the two year waiting period on Medicare will be eliminated sooner rather than later.

I have a 3,000.00 deductible thru my job's plan. Since one shipment of Avonex costs 2800.00, and they wouldn't take a payment plan for me, I've been off of it since the new year. I have almost the whole amount saved up, but it's a bummer, especially since the side effects were getting so much easier. My HR lady and the company that manages our benefits are trying to get me Medicare, and I'll hear the result of that in March, though I'm not optimistic. My husband is self-employed, so me working is the only way I can get insurance.

Our back up plan is moving to England. My husband is a British citizen, so moving there for socialized health care is a very last resort. Of course he could get a job that provides insurance, but the reality is, he wouldn't make any money, compared to now.

All I know is that it's tough worrying so much about health insurance, and getting the meds you need, when you're already sick.

Now, do I really strike you as the "wallflower" type? :ROTFLMAO:

I'm not saying I don't push for and GET things when I want them; how do you think I got on LDN when so many people say they are having trouble convincing their doc?. I get what I want.

. . . it's just that most times my doc trusts my point of view and I trust his. If I think I need a MRI, he'll schedule one for me, simple as that.

It's really a sad state of affairs when you can't trust your doctors and/or the government. That's all I have to say about that. :(

Cherie

Kelly - I am non both Medicare and Medicaid. I agree with the others on checking out what other programs are out there and by checking with your dr about discounts. Your PCP would be a good place to start on finding out about the programs. My PCP is great about that.

I have learned, unfortunately through experience, that some of these programs calculate your income differently. Many are based on the national poverty level as well as your percentage below it. Others base it on medical and financial need. It is really confusing as well as frustrating to go through all of it. DDs and I are on 3 different programs - I'm on Medicaid, DD18 is on a state funded program, and DD17 is on a privately/state funded program. It all comes down to how they calculated the income.

Gosh, I really do feel for you all in this situation.

Australian health care is far from perfect but every person here has access to "free" health care. Every person is covered by Medicare (which is probably different to your Medicare), and private health insurance is optional. Private health care gives you access to the doctor and hospital of your choice, plus rebates on any money spent on allied health professionals.

"Free" health care needs clarifying because, because those who have an income pay a Medicare Levy with their taxes, which helps fund the program.

People on pensions of any kind, and that includes the un-employed, get free access to most GPs, all public hospitals and all allied health professionals like physio, dental, optical, etc, etc.

Medications are greatly subsidised by the gvt......eg: I paid around $3:50 a month for Copaxone when I was on it. Once you spend a certain amount on medications each year......I think it's around $300........you get the rest of the year for free..... no matter how much they'd normally cost. You don't pay anything.

I'm sorry that you have this frightful worry about insurance. I honestly have no idea how I'd manage if I were in the same position.

Kelly,

I had COBRA until I qualified for Medicare in 1996. It was so much cheaper back then but was still expensive.

I have had a few doctors that would take what Medicare would pay and not charge me the difference since they knew my financial situation. They would charge off my balance at the end of the year and not send it to a collection agency. I had to speak to the doctor personally and not the staff. I also learned about finding the drug company for patient courtesy drugs for free.

I am usually rejected on my first application but after writing that the Medicare Part D co pays are too high for my budget, I have always been approved. I was just approved for Actonel because the co pay was $73.00.

It seems to be best to just tell the doctor your financial situation and search the websites for the free prescriptions. It has worked for me.

Medicare does not pay for vision or dental. I recently had a major dental crisis and the oral surgeon reduced my bill and my dentist didn't even charge for the office visit.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you find this information.

Hugs,
Becky:hug:

Obama calls for generic biotech drugs
 

I just found this article** on Yahoo about "Obama calls for generic biotech drugs"

(I cannot post ** yet....)

............................
Biologic drugs are produced from living organisms — not from chemicals. They are often the first-line treatments for diseases that involve the immune system, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. But the medications are among the costliest, with many easily exceeding $1,000 a month. ................

Kelly,

Let your doctors know you are in this position right now. Ask if you can receive a discount - That you are truly concerned about your medical needs being met. I know some offices offer discounts to their cash/no insurance patients. Your doctors may be willing to let your accounts be paid in small payments over a very long time too. Just call. You might even be surprised to find your doctor to be more generous than that. But you can only ask. If the office manager says no, ask your doc personally at your next visit, or send him/her a letter marked PERSONAL on the envelope.

Chronic Diseases Fund is an awesome place that will help with big med costs, it wouldn't hurt calling to see if they will help cover smaller med costs. Nothing is small to someone on fixed income and no insurance.

Good Luck.

I brought this thread back, Kelly, to show you this......

The new Economic Stimulus includes a Cobra subsidy.....If you lose your job between Sept 1, 2008 and Jan 1 2010, you will be able to keep your Company's Health Ins for 9 months, by paying 35% of your Cobra Premium, instead of 100%....Your Employer will have to susidize the remainder, but will get a tax credit for it's 65% share.

If you can afford the 35%, you should look into this.:)

Thank you, Sally! I've emailed the HR coordinator at my former employer to see if they have the proper paperwork so that I can see if I qualify for coverage. This would be a wonderful thing for me if it's something I can participate in.

Thanks again! :)