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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shar on August 18, 2001, at 22:14:41
I am in a pinch right now financially, actually more like a vise grip...and have applied to the patient assistance programs offered by the companies that make my meds.
Risperdal has responded (about 5 weeks it took to get all paperwork etc. done) and will send a one month supply to my pdoc.
Wellbutrin responded in about 4 weeks (lots of paperwork and have to have an "advocate" fill out everything, can't do it yourself. Advocate also calls to start enrollment). I take little insurance-looking card to pharmacy and have $5 copay for a one month supply.
Effexor has not yet responded with anything as far as I know, and doesn't take calls from patients--only pdocs. So, I will call my pdoc and find out how that is going.
Klonopin--actually I take the generic clonazepam which is less than $30 per month, so I will keep paying for that one.
This serves as a warning to folks that plan to apply to these programs, have lots of meds on hand. My pdoc does not have samples, so I am SOL if I'm out of money and meds. I buy the effexor one week at a time (coincides with payday).
I have (on my own) cut my effexor dose in half because it's too expensive for me to buy the amount my doc prescribed.
I am grateful for the programs that help me get the meds that keep me out of the blazing pit of despair...other than that, life pretty much sucks.
Shar
Posted by sar on August 19, 2001, at 1:29:07
In reply to Did I mention I'm trying med assistance programs, posted by Shar on August 18, 2001, at 22:14:41
Shar,
that's a travesty that you can't take as much effexor as you need simply because you can't afford it. have you considered applying for government assistance (medicaid, etc). i'm currently trying to work my own thing out--really officially my income is poverty-level, and my prozac is Expensive as Hell (and isn't it weird that cutey little klonopin is so cheap?). found out main local "carelink" program doesn't cover prozac--what the f*ck...
i'm pretty much like a whore when it comes to meds. i'd rather starve than not have them--i'd hijack a pharmacy, shit! (JUST A JOKE.) i wake up in the morning for the sole purpose of taking my meds.
if you have any more information regarding getting meds at a reduced price, i would love to read about it, as i've no insurance.
thanks shar,
sar
Posted by Greg on August 19, 2001, at 11:41:57
In reply to Did I mention I'm trying med assistance programs, posted by Shar on August 18, 2001, at 22:14:41
> I am in a pinch right now financially, actually more like a vise grip...and have applied to the patient assistance programs offered by the companies that make my meds.
>
> Risperdal has responded (about 5 weeks it took to get all paperwork etc. done) and will send a one month supply to my pdoc.
>
> Wellbutrin responded in about 4 weeks (lots of paperwork and have to have an "advocate" fill out everything, can't do it yourself. Advocate also calls to start enrollment). I take little insurance-looking card to pharmacy and have $5 copay for a one month supply.
>
> Effexor has not yet responded with anything as far as I know, and doesn't take calls from patients--only pdocs. So, I will call my pdoc and find out how that is going.
>
> Klonopin--actually I take the generic clonazepam which is less than $30 per month, so I will keep paying for that one.
>
> This serves as a warning to folks that plan to apply to these programs, have lots of meds on hand. My pdoc does not have samples, so I am SOL if I'm out of money and meds. I buy the effexor one week at a time (coincides with payday).
>
> I have (on my own) cut my effexor dose in half because it's too expensive for me to buy the amount my doc prescribed.
>
> I am grateful for the programs that help me get the meds that keep me out of the blazing pit of despair...other than that, life pretty much sucks.
>
> Shar
Posted by mair on August 19, 2001, at 13:46:23
In reply to Did I mention I'm trying med assistance programs, posted by Shar on August 18, 2001, at 22:14:41
>
> Shar - I hope this works out ok for you soon and that you can get back on track with the full amount of Effexor if that's what's called for. I hate taking all the stuff i do, but i freak when I think of life without ADs and I find myself reluctant to reduce anything even on my pdoc's recommendation. Am I mistaken, or didn't you used to have some insurance coverage for meds?Mair
Posted by Shar on August 19, 2001, at 14:03:30
In reply to Re: Did I mention I'm trying med assistance programs » Shar, posted by sar on August 19, 2001, at 1:29:07
have you considered applying for government assistance (medicaid, etc).
........with my part time job I make too much for medicaid, especially in Texas.
found out main local "carelink" program doesn't cover prozac--
.........that is so interesting, here the county health program does not cover Effexor, which is the one I need help with. Go figure.
if you have any more information regarding getting meds at a reduced price--
.......the programs I am contacting are offered by the drug manufacturers. There is info on this at www.nami.org/update/freemed.htm and I can tell you the number for Prozac's maker, Eli Lilly, patient assistance program is 800-545-6962.
You can call them and ask what the procedure is.
Good luck on getting help. I do not have insurance either. I have applied for insurance at my work, but it has not been approved yet and has a $500 deductible before benefits kick in.
Shar
Posted by sar on August 19, 2001, at 23:12:25
In reply to med assistance programs » sar, posted by Shar on August 19, 2001, at 14:03:30
Shar,
thank you so much for the eli lilly info!
i hope it works out for you.
(and me, too)
sar
Posted by Shar on August 21, 2001, at 10:20:36
In reply to Re: Did I mention I'm trying med assistance programs » Shar, posted by mair on August 19, 2001, at 13:46:23
Mair,
I was a state employee for about 20 years, and had good insurance benes the whole time, no cost to me. After leaving the state, I had cobra until I missed a payment and they canceled.I was grateful to have my insurance; it did not escape me how much it meant. I remember once saying on this board, I didn't know how people without insurance made it. I guess life wanted to let me find out.
Shar
Am I mistaken, or didn't you used to have some insurance coverage for meds?
>
> Mair
Posted by medlib on August 22, 2001, at 17:17:14
In reply to Did I mention I'm trying med assistance programs, posted by Shar on August 18, 2001, at 22:14:41
Hi Shar--
I'm a Texan on the Effexor med assist program. The bad news--it took 3+ months to get it set up; the good news--Wyeth supplies 3 months worth of E. at a time to your pdoc, and renewals are smoother.
Your pdoc may not have samples because s/he doesn't wish to pay for staff to handle meds and drug reps, but the local Wyeth rep *does* have starter kit samples. If your pdoc understands that you haven't funds to take the amount of E. prescribed, s/he *should* be willing to make an emergency call to said rep on your behalf, particularly since you have an app. pending.
Wyeth never acknowledged receiving my first app; it took a second app. and several calls from me to my pdoc's staff and from them to Wyeth to get results. I'm sure that the Catch 22 they've set up is intentional; if one is not too depressed to persist successfully, then one is too well to need the med in the first place.
Hope you can hang in---medlib
Posted by susan C on August 22, 2001, at 19:23:03
In reply to Re: Med assistance programs, posted by medlib on August 22, 2001, at 17:17:14
> Hi Shar--
Our family has observed businesses have what we call the 'three times' rule. The first time it is ignored falling into the 'blackhole', the second time a request comes in it might be logged, but most likely it is tossed as well. Third time, it may get recognized. If it comes in a fourth time and with a lot of handwaving and gets directed to the manager, they usually sit up and notice.
To save aggrivation make a triple copy of stuff, put each copy in an envelope and send one out every couple weeks.
I believe in the 'if they don't respond right away' 'drowned them in paperwork' 'overwhelm them with attitude' approach as a customer. Especially if it is 'free'. Nothing in life is ever free. If it doesn't cost money, it will cost time and attention.
a cynical mouse complaining about louses.
Susan C
>
> I'm a Texan on the Effexor med assist program. The bad news--it took 3+ months to get it set up; the good news--Wyeth supplies 3 months worth of E. at a time to your pdoc, and renewals are smoother.
>
> Your pdoc may not have samples because s/he doesn't wish to pay for staff to handle meds and drug reps, but the local Wyeth rep *does* have starter kit samples. If your pdoc understands that you haven't funds to take the amount of E. prescribed, s/he *should* be willing to make an emergency call to said rep on your behalf, particularly since you have an app. pending.
>
> Wyeth never acknowledged receiving my first app; it took a second app. and several calls from me to my pdoc's staff and from them to Wyeth to get results. I'm sure that the Catch 22 they've set up is intentional; if one is not too depressed to persist successfully, then one is too well to need the med in the first place.
>
> Hope you can hang in---medlib
This is the end of the thread.
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