Help with med costs

[CtResident]

Heather,

This isn't related to MS specifically, but I am posting this to the "public" rather than in private message because I am hoping as a general question, it could help many people.

I have two dear friends who had to retire early (in their 50's), downsize their home (move to smaller place) and he is on disability. She filed for disability too, but was turned down, is in appeal on that. They have had to pay for their meds on the charge cards and it is getting very tough for them, with everything being so expensive.

You'd mentioned that your son-in-law was able to get meds for lower prices. Can you expand upon that please; I would love to give my friends some hope! What do they do, how do they do this? Right now he has filled out some sort of paperwork for veteran's assistance, so that was one avenue.

Thank you kindly,
Suzanne  

[CtResident]

I am basking in your praise, what a nice thing to say. :-)

Humbly,
Suzanne

[Heather3418]

I have precription coverage, but my insurance company has turned down some of my medications.  Absolutely refuses to pay for them....SO, I have gone to a couple of the drug company's, told them of my situation financially (being single and on disability) and have received with my doctor's wirtten prescription, a 90 supply in the mail.  After the 90 period, they re-evualte my situation and if it hasn't changed, they will send me another 90 supply.  

As for the injectable MS drugs, EVERY one of the company's will supply the drug for free...just so you know.  I know that your friends are not on the MS medications, but it's good to know that people with MS do not have to go without the disease modifying drugs for MS.

Keep fighting Suzanne...please tell your friends that for me....I know that with a little persistance, it will pay off in the long run for them.  Even if they can get a few medications approved, it's better than getting no assistance.  I wish them the best of luck.

Have a GREAT DAY Sweetheart and God bless you for helping your friends.  YOU are a GOOD FRIEND....

Heather

[CtResident]

Good morning!

MCBCON: I meant to say that ONE of HER meds is $200. out of pocket. They BOTH have much much more than that to pay for! In addition to the general cost of living these days. Being on one disability check to pay for all of this (meds and general bills) is costing them big bucks. To the point of putting the meds on the charge card. So it's a very tight financial situation.

I do understand that in comparison to having MS, the MS drugs are 10 times that amount. The original topic of this about checking out your health insurance led me to my bc/bs site. And the MS drugs are  covered in a special section, NOT in the regular formulary. At first glance I was dismayed to see that, but aha, had to look a little harder!

Heather: Okay on asking the pharmacist, that's a good idea (sometimes the obvious eludes me, lol).

Is this help still accessible for those who have Rx coverage, but it's still a hardship? Or only for those with absolutely no coverage at all?

Suzanne    

[Heather3418]

If they look on the prescription bottle, it will show the maker of the drug.  If it's generic, that will also show.  My daughter had her pharmacist help her with the makers of the drugs.

I'm sorry that you had trouble finding out about the assistance part of the drug you looked up.  When my daughter and I did her husband's we did have to call some of the phone numbers provided to get the proper information.  The drug makers sent us applications via email.  When we got the hang of how to do it, it was a breeze.

I wouldn't pay for the "service" that charges $15.00.  And the one that Montel Williams talks about in his commercials, is not free either.

I really hope you can get the information you need from the pharmacist or on the label of the drug bottle.  That's the way we did it and had great success.

Heather

[MCBCON]

I do not mean to be flip.  But, the are fortunate they are on $200 per month.  For a lot of us that is quite cheap.

[CtResident]

My friend thought they didn't qualify for anything because they do have some sort of prescription coverage. Just ONE of her meds (not including her husband's!!) costs nearly $200./month in their out-of-pocket expense.

Anyway, I did a search of one of my meds, and it's a round & round thing to find out who the manufacturer is, and where the assistance part of the website is. I actually only found out that they have offices in Iceland (woohoo!), but not anything about obtaining help......??

Sorry to be so dense. :-(

Then I found a prescription assistance site, and they charge a fee. It's nominal, "only" $15/month, but it's not free.

I will tell my friend to use the phone numbers, perhaps the more direct approach will help.

Thank you for getting back to me.

Suzanne

[Heather3418]

You have to contact the manufacturer of the drug and they can be found through Internet.  On each one of their webistes, there is a place where you can apply for assistance with the cost.  Some qualify to get their medications for free, other's at a much reduced cost.  There is no charge to the patient to apply for these services.

There are also phone numbers listed on these websites, so the patient can call for more information.  There really is help out there....my daughter got it with a little effort..and it saved them literally thousands of dollars.  My son-in-law takes alot of high cost drugs.

Hope this helps,

Heather