Hello MrsD
 

I go see my pain specialist on Wed. I want to try the lidocain patch. Do you know for sure if medicare/medicaid will cover them.? I have had a very hard time with my part D coverage for most of my medications. thank you, ginnie

Medicare Part D has been paying for mine for eight years. Best wishes. Correction. Medicaid paid for them before we got Part D.

I wasn't thrilled with how they worked, but was willing to give them another try. They told me that they're not covered by the insurance I have now, though. Why on earth are they so expensive?!?

Many insurances will not cover the patches unless you have a prior or current diagnosis of shingles. This is because of FDA approval status. Insurances often only allow drugs for FDA approved causes.

Sometimes you can appeal this, and win. Your doctor will have to help with it with some medical history.

This is an example of how to get prior authorization for Lidoderms from Express Scripts Insurance:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...ODHOUBawb-gwcA

Each company will have its own policy in this regard.

There is a generic in the works from Watson, but it is tied up in courts in US. I believe it is available in other countries now.

I use them but I don't know why! I can't tell a difference if I use them or not, and they come off whether I tape them on or not.

Yes, they may come off or move around. It is best to remove oils from your skin before applying. Dry the area carefully with a low setting on your hair dryer too.

Sometimes you can activate the glue with a puff of steam (like from a tea kettle). The adhesive is water reactive. It swells up when exposed to water. Take one that is to be discarded and expose it to moisture like in a shower--indirect moisture. It will jelly up in a very alien strange way! ;) Keep away from animals (and children), as they may be attracted to the adhesive, and try to eat the old patches. I fold and stick them to themselves, and put in their old envelope and fold that down before tossing in the trash.
Too much and it slides around. The sliding often comes from skin that sweats too much. If they do not feel COLD when you apply them, they may be drying out.

About patches and insurance
 

What I find troubling is that medicare part D will pay for a narcotic, but not the lidocain patches. I am a patient wanting to be off my medications fully, but I have no options. Seems wrong to me. ginnie