by ☆ ƒåitĥ ☆
Member since:
August 8, 2006

I need help with my drug problem!

July 06, 2008 03:24 AM EDT
views: 545 | comments: 50


Hi all... catchy title, huh?

I need to pay for my drugs, sweet and simple. The reason why I'm writing about this is because I take a lot of them and don't have Prescription coverage to help pay for them! Now I'm faced with trying to figure out how to pay for 5 different medications all out of my own shallow pocket.

Luckily my doctor has been providing me with samples of one of them for quite some time now, so hopefully I won't have to worry about that specific one for another few months.

So far I've found a Prescription program through Walgreens.com for people who are not covered by anything else, and it's $20 a year for 1 person or $35 per family and then you're able to receive a 3-month supply of medications (about 400 are on the list) for $12.99. Two of the generic medications I take are on that list, so at least I can utilize that program for those.

Another one I need filled is birth control that's not on the list, so for that one I'll need to contact our local Women's Health Centers to see what kind of benefits/discounts I can receive by going through them. It is a brand medication so I can only imagine how much it costs!

The last one, the most important, is my pain medication. It requires me to drive to my doctor's office every month, present identification, pick up the actual written prescription and then hand deliver it to a certain pharmacy in order to receive a re-fill. I like it this way though because it means that patients are required to be more responsible with their medications and hopefully will reduce the number of pill seekers out there. Anyway... this is the one I'm most concerned about because it's not on the list of approved medications under Walgreen's program which means I'll have to pay full price for it. This one requires me to call the pharmacy for the full price and I think I'll contact Walmart for this one as well since they have their own low-cost Prescription plan. The thing with that though is that I'll have to contact my doctor to inform them of our lack of insurance situation and the fact that I might not be filling that specific medication at the normal locations. This means that a new contract would need to be signed to reflect the alternate pharmacy.

Whooo! What a mess when someone switches jobs, huh? I hope that my husband's boss is able to find a company policy for a decent price that includes Medical, Dental & Prescription Insurance... but until now, we just have to deal with not being covered at all and hoping for the best!
  • Do you know of any other low-cost Prescription Plans I should look into?
  • Any advice for me?

~ Thanks, Faith
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Comments: 50

Karen R. Jul 6, 2008, 5:05am EDT
I have heard that sometimes you can contact the drug manufactures directly and that sometimes they can help out low income people in need. I don't know how you contact them. Maybe they could tell you at your drs office or the pharmacy. Good luck! I take several meds and even with insurance, I have to pay a $25.00 copay per drug for most of what I take. That adds up real fast.
Marianne R. Jul 6, 2008, 5:49am EDT
Well, I have prescription coverage, but my deductible is so high that I only just recently met it. I was paying $103 a month for my allergy pills. Wish I had found some assistance cause it about killed me.
☆ Scott ☆ A. ☆ Jul 6, 2008, 6:00am EDT
I feel bad you have a drug problem, you should get help
Ashley B. Jul 6, 2008, 6:25am EDT
I just wrote this article the other day on cheap drug programs at stores. Maybe this one will help a little:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977384098
Linda G. Jul 6, 2008, 6:42am EDT
check with the pharmaseutical companies that make the medicine, most have some programs to provide free or low cost prescriptions
Tabitha M. Jul 6, 2008, 7:37am EDT
Faith, when I was on the pill 5-6 ago, I went to the Health Department. What was costing me $48/month at Rite-Aid I could get for free at the health department. I'd have to sit through the paperwork and an exam, but I'd get 6-12 months of pills.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Jul 6, 2008, 7:45am EDT
I don't really have any advice, but we are running out of our asthma medication, so I will come back to see what response you've got.
Aunt Boni H. Jul 6, 2008, 8:41am EDT
Many pharmaceutical companies have programs that assist consumers with getting their medications. If you know the drug manufacturers company name, "google" it and cruise around their web site. I just obtained an application from Bristol-Meyers for a help with a product I take (and there is no generic for it.) Check it out.
Walmart also offers many prescriptions at a very low cost. I beleive they have the list on their website, that may help.
**AngelEyez** a. Jul 6, 2008, 9:05am EDT
Faith,I hope you find something to help you out.
Audrey F. Jul 6, 2008, 9:26am EDT
I can really empathize, Faith. I take several meds and my health insurance covers less and less. Two of my meds have no generic form and I can barely make the payments for one of them. If that med wasn't so vital to my well-being I wouldn't take it, but I don't have that option, unfortunately. If you do find some good low cost programs for medications, would you mind letting me know? I will check back to this article when I can, too. Thanks for posting it. It's an important one.
Ishbel R. Jul 6, 2008, 9:30am EDT
I'm just grateful that I live in a country where the costs (to the groups who still have to pay) is about £7 per prescription item.

I am in a group with a chronic illness and so I do not pay for ANY items.
Melanie S. Jul 6, 2008, 10:14am EDT
I know many people have already left this comment, but I agree. Check with the actualy pharmaceutical company. You see commercials on tv occasionally where they are offering to help pay for the meds. Good luck in this & let us know how it turns out!
J F. Jul 6, 2008, 10:43am EDT
I get some of my medications free from the drugs' manufacturer. Your pain medication must be a narcotic. (Am I right?) If so, you can't get that for free from the manufacturer because they say they can't control it. I take a pain medication, but it is only $15.00 through a discount program I have. I don't have any insurance at all. I had a whole list of discount programs for medications. I'll see if I can find it.

I know what you are going through. I have many serious health problems and I can't take care of them because I can't afford to and I am not eligible for some of the state programs. I just fell through the cracks like many people do.
Bridget ♥ Jul 6, 2008, 11:50am EDT
I knew about the WalMart plans which seems to be a great route to take!

I would contact the companies of those meds that you take and see if you can get some freebies and/or coupons!
denise e Jul 6, 2008, 11:56am EDT
good luck
Donald M. Jul 6, 2008, 1:46pm EDT
Faith, in our small town, we had a clinic that would actually give the girls birth control and condoms to the boys and girls. I dont know if it is still there. But when the doctor put Tracy on birth control { for irregular periods] her Pediatician . I took her there to get them. Plus they gave her sacks full of comdoms and some kind of sheilds.. I was hoping she would not need them but would prefer that to having a baby to support at 16. I was barely surviving.
Donald M. Jul 6, 2008, 1:49pm EDT
There are country agencies that have programs for people making below the poverty level. That help you get doctors visits and medications. They put you through the mill as to having to prove every dollar you make and spend, like an expense report. If you can live without it, Its better. I had to rely on it for a couple of years. Until I got my disability.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Jul 6, 2008, 1:55pm EDT
Ashley -- thanks for linking me to your article, I'll go over there to check it out! :o)

Audrey -- I will definitely keep you updated about this, I know it's a problem for a lot of people these days!

J F -- yes, you're right... my pain medication is a narcotic and that is why I need to be under contract to take it. It was such a hard decision for me to decide to accept my doc's offer to use it, but it has helped me tremendously. I hope one of these days I can find something different though and won't have to continue taking a controlled substance for my pain issues. Thanks for looking for that list of discount programs you have!
Donald M. Jul 6, 2008, 1:55pm EDT
Walmart also has a $4 drug program. But I have never learned how to get the list of medications they accept on the plan. I know it is better to call Pharmacy,s ahead and get their price. I only pay $38 dollars for a three months supply for both my blood pressure pills at my little Pharmacy up near Krissy. But went to Walgreens and they charged me $80.
Don,s sister had a book that listed the name and phone number of all the drug companies. They will actually help you themselves. If you call their toll free number. She knew all the ropes on the free stuff. You may check and see what company provides the non generic medication and call the company and see if they still do this.
I really dont know what all the details are. She let me borrow it for a week, but not enough time to do anything about it. She did not have a computer. So you could probably google it {the company} and see if they have a section to ask questions.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Jul 6, 2008, 1:56pm EDT
Everyone --

For those of you that have suggested the $4 Generic Plan through Walmart, I just wanted to say that I talked about that in my article and none of the medications I take are on that list. BUT I will contact them for the narcotic that I need to take, since it requires me to call the pharmacist directly to ask for a price quote.

I've received a LOT of VERY helpful suggestions here, thanks so much! Looks like the best thing to do at this point is to contact the manufacturer of each medication to see if they can offer the drugs for free or at a very low cost. The drug manufacturer is always listed right on the bottle too, so that helps a lot!

I will also contact the local Women's Clinics to see about getting help from them for my birth control.

You all are the BEST! Thanks!!!
Donald M. Jul 6, 2008, 1:57pm EDT
Sorry Faith, you arre so much faster than I am at typing, I wasnt fast enough.
Donald M. Jul 6, 2008, 1:59pm EDT
Hope you find something that works, I need to boot scoot and post something.
Have a great day.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Jul 6, 2008, 2:01pm EDT
Marianne -- It is definitely tough when Insurance has a deductible that you have to meet prior to the Insurance kicking in to help out! I wonder if you'd be able to find a low-cost secondary Prescription coverage to help pay for your medications while you're trying to pay off that deductible?

Karen -- You're darn right that those copays add up real quick especially when you have quite a few medications you're taking!

Norma -- Thanks so much for all the suggestions! You can actually find the list of medications that the $4 Generic Plan at Walmart covers on their website. I will certainly look for the manufacturer's websites to see how they can help me out, thanks.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Jul 6, 2008, 2:02pm EDT
Norma -- Don't you ever apologize about not being fast enough! Your help is greatly appreciated and I hope we can talk later. I'll look for the article/images (?) you're posting and visit you there. :o)
Ellie !. Jul 6, 2008, 2:14pm EDT
Walmart, Target and Fred Meyer all have $4 for 30-day/ $10 (I think) for 90-day. I was looking because that's cheaper than my thyroid with my insurance. They have a generic thyroid, but thyroid is something that you are not supposed to switch brands. I noticed with most of their drugs, they had one brand for each type. Just go to their websites. Good luck!
Contact PPA.org if you haven't already done so. They were how I got help with my MS treatment... it costs $1,442 per month and I have been paying $15 every three months.
Larry H. Jul 6, 2008, 2:35pm EDT
I hope you find the help you need,
Janet H. Jul 6, 2008, 2:56pm EDT
Try the phone number for prescription drug help that Montel advertises on TV. My daughter is getting her meds free from the manufacturer that way. Also, her doctor gave her a discount on office calls and some medicine samples. She is getting exams and free birth control from a health clinic in her county. Meijer stores give free antibiotics to anyone even if you have insurance. I think K-mart has a list of Rxs that they give for $4 now for a 3 month supply (generics)
Karen M. Jul 6, 2008, 2:58pm EDT
Good luck...my father and mother have expensive medications as well!!
Kate S. Jul 6, 2008, 3:13pm EDT
I didn't read any of the comments above, but I used to work for a doctor. If you contact the makers of the meds, they always have a consumer help line - usually forms to be filled out to verify eligibility and then no cost or low cost samples until you get some coverage.
Cheryl W. Jul 6, 2008, 3:24pm EDT
Faith...I wish I had something to add...but I don't. I do want to thank you, though. Your articles and the helpful comments are helping me since I am in much the same situation that you are in. I hope are able to get help with all of your prescriptions...
Carla B. Jul 6, 2008, 4:34pm EDT
My mom and my little sister both get their medicine from Target. It's actually cheaper for my mom to get two of hers there, and pay the whole thing, than it was for her to get it at her old pharmacy, using her insurance. Target had one of the medicines on their cheap list that Walmart didn't have, so that's why they chose to go there, even though it's not as close to home. Also Target color codes their pill bottles, so that each person in the family can have a different color, which is nice for them, because my sister takes 4 medications, my mom takes 6, and my dad has close to a dozen (he gets his through the VA, though, so they are the plain pill bottles)! If you don't have a family that takes a lot of medications, that wouldn't be a big selling point, though, I guess.
Ang, wandering aimlessly, G. Jul 6, 2008, 5:39pm EDT
I wish I could help you but I don't know any. You might want to contact Connie she is a great resource for this kind of thing. I had one saved on my favorites for quite some time (that came from Connie) but we had to reinstall windows and now its gone!! :(

Good luck!
Talk to your doctor. Several drug companies have plans set forth where they will give you your medication for free. We have to do this on my mom's medications as she has little or no income, many health problems and and isn't yet at an age to be eligible for medicare. There's paper work to fill out, some is lengthy and some is not, and you have to reapply every three to sixth months, dependent on which drug company you're dealing with. Anyway, though, they do have programs set up to help, and your doctor should be able to give you the information. Let me know what you find out! Love you!
lynn a. Jul 7, 2008, 1:33am EDT
I wish I could tell you something to help ease the cost, but I just don't know. But good luck. My husband is looking for another job right now and the main reason is the lack of suitable health insurance.
Marilyn M. Jul 7, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
Faith, here's a link for Partnership for Prescription Assistance program

And this page gives other resources as well, including RXAssist, NeedyMeds and others
Jill~Sexy Back~ V. Jul 7, 2008, 5:32pm EDT
Check Costco's pharmacy prices. Rumor has it that they're the lowest in most areas and you DON'T even have to have a costco membership card to use their pharmacy. Also, you might check with each drug manufacturer since most manufacturers will offer discounted prescriptions or even free prescriptions to those in need! good luck!
Dave B. Jul 7, 2008, 11:14pm EDT
If your husband had insurance on his previous job, is it possible to sign up for some sort of COBRA plan to hold you over until he has insurance again?
Donald M. Jul 8, 2008, 5:02pm EDT
Faith I hope after checking out all these sources, you find some help with your medications.
Victoria H. Jul 9, 2008, 10:18am EDT
Faith, my mom has printed off these two cards which can be found here and has been using them. They have insurance, but it's really crappy. You probably know about all my mom's various health problems and how she's on a lot of different medications. She is able to use these cards to get a much cheaper cost on her meds. You can email her to find out more if you want. But I do know that she printed them both off and has been using them and saving quite a bit of money. Her pharmacist even asked her where it could be found so he could tell some other customers about it and they could print the cards off and save. Remember to do them both, and check out the pharmacy locater to see what pharmacies near you will accept the cards. My mom also had them run both cards through to see which one would give the better discount on each medication. I hope this helps! Victoria
Victoria H. Jul 9, 2008, 10:20am EDT
Here's the link again: (that "here" isn't very noticable - hehe - yeah I'm a freak, I know - LOL)

http://www.freedrugcard.us/?gclid=CIenj4D_spQCFQcmIgodb3tCSw
Victoria H. Jul 9, 2008, 10:20am EDT
Oh and that should be NOTICEABLE - I can't type : )
Austin Cushing Jul 9, 2008, 1:14pm EDT
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations, and check out this week's Help These Articles!
Cicely B. Jul 9, 2008, 10:20pm EDT
Check www.lusciniahealth.com It is Luscinia Health. I got it in the mail maybe junk mail I don't know I have my work...so check it out.
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Jul 9, 2008, 11:34pm EDT
I think Wal-Mart does generics for $4 and K-Mart does three month supply of generics for $15. As for birth control, Yasmin just came out in generic which I found out when I went to pick up my prescription this time, but the retail price is pretty close to the regular Yasmin. Luckily for me, it's about half the price as the Yasmin on my insurance just because it's generic.
sheila h. Jul 14, 2008, 2:24pm EDT
oh i hear you on this! it is ridicuous that waiting period in betwen job changes to get 'picked up' ..
check with your health dept if there is a plan for adults..usually there is something for kids..
and contact the pharmaceutical companies directly..
the controlled meds probably no assist but that is a stigma of our society as millions are taking narcs to subdue intractable pain..and remain productive ,contributing members of society..
just like the stigma with birth control as there is no assist..but one can get free viagra ,cialis and all those other 'stiffeners' with their insurance..go figure!
hang in there kid and hoping you got some assist since you posted this..
For the pain killers, if they are narcotics, you won't find them on any of the discounted pharmacy programs, unfortunatly. I've got the same problem with my son's medications for adhd, because they are also a controlled substance (have to get a new perscription every month, can't fax it, have to present it in person, no more than a 30 day supply at a time, etc).

I'd talk to your doctor about finding a lower cost perscription pain killer that will work. Explain that you have no insurance, and ask what can be done with that last medication to see if there are alternatives.

A lot of doctors are very helpful with finding help.
andrew marcus Oct 29, 2009, 1:57pm EDT
Yasmin you need to check the side effects on this drug Yaz side effects include:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Gallbladder problems
I would not take it if I was a female the company has been taken to court
andrew marcus Oct 29, 2009, 2:00pm EDT
i would do a search on low cost prescription programs here it is for you
check out this website http://www.pparx.org/prescription_assistance_programs/co-payment_programs

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