Monday, January 05, 2009
According to a recent study, economic worries have caused an increase in patients skipping doses, splitting pills or just not filling prescription from the doctor. Job loss, increasing costs and ever changing health care benefits are making it increasingly difficult for patients to follow the doctor&...
When I became uninsured, I still needed to see the doctor for my own chronic health problems (did I mention I am sick too?!). I live just outside a major US city, and the large hospital located in the city includes a clinic, which, if you are uninsured, they will go by your income for the doctor's and hospital bills. Everyone pays something, but they *do* make it affordable. Then, when I got my medicines, if I got them at the hospital's pharmacy, I got them at the "clinic price", which turned out to be "cost" (what the medicine cost the hospital to buy--you HAD to be a clinic patient to get this price, though). Prevacid was $255 per month at Walgreens, and at the hospital's pharmacy it is $11.50. My meds during that time, in all, were $600 per month at Walgreens, vs $137 (for all 14 of them) at the hospital pharmacy. I have health problems where if I do not have my meds, I could die.
I very recently have become insured, but they don't cover Prevacid or any of the other expensive stomach meds, and I still go to that clinic (the doctors there are very good), and when I go back next week I am going to see if I can still fill my Prevacid there for the clinic price...
Also, since I have had insurance, I noticed the co-pays seem to differ depending on where you have the medication filled. Walmart and Shop n Save pharmacies seem to be the cheapest (on co-pays) for my particular insurance.
Hello!
What a great story! I am glad you were able to get the care you needed and the medications too at such a low cost. I am sure the amount you paid was still overwhelming but it was better than chosing not to take the medication at all.
Our local food store (Baltimore-Washington area Giant) just started a new program: a 14 day supply of common antibiotics will be filled for free during the winter months-regardless of your co pay.
Any other deals out there?
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom