NeuroTalk Support Groups - How do you handle the cost of all your meds?

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- - How do you handle the cost of all your meds? (https://www.neurotalk.org/myasthenia-gravis/77372-handle-cost-meds.html)

erinhermes

02-11-2009 04:32 PM

Hey there GByrd!

I am seriously thinking about driving to Mexico! Mike and I are talking about moving out of the country........meds and labs are just too high!

I just got a bill from lab corp for $1000 for a single draw - a single draw.......that can't be right!

We just cannot leave right now. My hubby's on is only 16 and we can't be away from him.......but I really don't know what we'll do if these costs continue to rise.......truly.......

Erin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gdbyrd (Post 464135)

Basically the way our health system is now..it's not going to get any better anytime soon : / My labs are killing me. Every couple months it's 375$ out of pocket. Insurance only covers a TINY portion of it...

Originally my Mestinon was costing me 60$ a month..with insurance. I called a few pharmacies and am getting it through Walgreens for 5$ a month.

The calling and getting 3 months at a time is a solid idea. You can get some meds VERY cheap that way.

That has to be extremely frustrating.......

If all else fails..drive to my area and head to mexico! Lol. Personally i wouldn't do it, but i know a lot of people that do..not for MG, but for other stuff.

erinhermes

02-11-2009 04:34 PM

Hey Brian!

Well Mike and I HAVE been talking about moving out of the States......it costs too much to be sick here.......I wonder if this is what the founding fathers were fighting for? What a joke!

I've got to find a way to get through this......maybe sell the house or something.....anything to get out from underneath these bills.......

Erin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brennan068 (Post 463637)

Ouch.

I handle mine by living in a country with socialized medical care. All procedures I've had so far are fully covered by medicare (thymectomy, plasmapheresis, radiation therapy). My meds are fully covered by my private health care and my long term disability payment is covered at 80% of my salary by the same.

Get yourself on one of those medicine bus trips to Canada :D

Brian.

erinhermes

02-11-2009 04:35 PM

Hey Rumpled!

Ouch! Too many meds! Hate them, yet they keep us alive!!!!!

I'm gonna ask about the 3 month scrip tomorrow!!!!

THanks!
Erin

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumpled (Post 463971)

Do you have the option of ordering via mail order and getting 3 months at a time, at a cheaper co-pay? That is what I do. It cuts the cost a wee bit and so for the meds that I take a lot of, that is what I do.
Get a 3month script if you can do this. I also try to get generics as much as I can. We spend easily a few thousand on co-pays a year as I take meds - almost like you. LOL.

erinhermes

02-11-2009 04:37 PM

Can't even watch Sicko yet

It was funny you mentioned that, b/c my BIL and I were talking about it TODAY......still cannot watch it......too hard......

Hate the ins companies.......they will take our $$$$, but don't want to pay for anything!!!!!

Erin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scots Kat (Post 464048)

Hi Erin,
I'm afraid I'm no real help either, but I'll offer lots of sympathy. I remember when i watched Michael Moore's film Sicko and I realised I would never be able to live in the States. It made me sad to think there was this whole beautiful country I could never experience.

I was initially diagnosed in Canada and had excellent coverage because I was a student and my parents were both teachers (government employees). Now I'm living in Scotland and have a huge appreciation for the NHS. A lot of people slam the health service over here, but I think it's excellent! Granted some things are a bit funny - for example it is cheaper for them if I take 2 x 20mg of Omezapraole rather than 1 x 40 mg tablet of the same. I figure it's a small inconvience. I pay something like £55 a year and all my prescription meds are covered.

One thing you might try: I remember when i was first diagnosed I got a letter from the MGA and there was a discount coupon for Mestinon included. I thought it was REALLY funny at the time! Maybe they are still offering deals through the association? It would be worth a shot.

Take care of yourself! Money really is the bain of my existance.
~Kathy

littlekitten

02-13-2009 10:54 PM

Erin...

What kind of actual cost does that run? Prednisone is really cheap, and iron pills off the shelf are like five bucks a bottle. I'm not familiar with the non-mg meds that you take.

Lydia

Quote:

Originally Posted by erinhermes (Post 463620)

Hey All! Quick question. I am getting swamped by all of my medical bills.

My meds are expensive, and I am seeing "specialists" by the boatload - still - and am worried about the long term cost of health care - and it's pitiful coverage here in the US.

The meds I take are:
Prednisone - 3 X daily
Mestinon - 3-5 X daily
Imuran 3X daily
Xanax - when needed - I still have my bottle from Nov, so I should be OK
Nystatin 5-10 mls 3 X daily
Rhinocort aqua - 2 X daily
Iron pills 2 X daily
Fexofenadine 180 mg 1 daily
Protonix 1 daily
Prenatal vitamins 1 daily
Calcium with D 1800 mgs daily
Mestinon 180 mgs 1 daily
Paxil 20 mgs daily
Sulfameth/Trimethprim 800/160 tabs 1 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Singulair 10 mgs daily

I know we ALL have to take alot of meds, and was wondering how you ordered yours? I get mine through Walgreens, but am trying to figure out how to keep costs down. WAAAAAAAAAAY down.

How do you order yours?

Any help would be appreciated!

Erin:)

erinhermes

02-14-2009 12:54 AM

Hey there littlekitten......

I don't have my receipt in front of me, but 5 meds cost me over 200 the other day.......where on earth do you get your iron pills? Mine are like 20 a bottle...........seriously.......

Erin

how are you feeling?:d

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlekitten (Post 465603)

erin...

What kind of actual cost does that run? Prednisone is really cheap, and iron pills off the shelf are like five bucks a bottle. I'm not familiar with the non-mg meds that you take.

Lydia

littlekitten

02-14-2009 02:17 AM

Hi everyone...

Something I've learned in the past is that 'prescriptions' are always more expensive...but if you have a health plan which covers it, are the way to go. Most plans won't cover stuff that can be bought off the shelf. But supplements like iron pills, calcium, etc...they are more economical to buy off the shelf.

I buy them from a health food store. Costco carries quite a selection, and they are more economical thru them. But make sure you CHECK THE LABEL. Not all vitamins are created equal. Usually those from the grocer with the 'store' label aren't usually as good. Yes, they have the same ingredients in them, but they don't cut it because the body doesn't absorb them as well.

I know people will start saying something about this comment, but a family member is very involved in the supplement/health field...so it's information I learned from his 20 plus years of experience. Certainly won't hurt to mention the fact his former significant other had over 30 years experience and works at an organic health food store. So my source of information comes from a solid position.

And yes, even people in the industry trying to sell their products to a retailer will claim that 'their' product is better than the competitor...I've been at a business brunch when that happened.

Lydia

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