Health Insurance / Medications

Also be sure to ask your pharmacy if the medication(s) you take is available in a generic form. The cost savings from generic drugs can be significant. Plus, retailers such as Target, Safeway, and Walgreens offer many generic medications for less than $5 for a 30-day supply. Some mail-order companies like Medco offer lower prices for prescription orders on 90-day supplies. Check with your doctor and pharmacy to see if any of the medications you take are eligible. I know that while the Asacol I take doesn't come in a generic form, I get a better price if I order a 90-day supply than if I refill my prescription every 30 days. But, my doctor has to write out a specific prescription that I can send to Medco for the 90-day supply. 

There are resources out there to potentially help you get health insurance and your prescription medications. But it will take some time and perseverance on your part to find these programs, fill-out the forms, and follow-up.

Both Presidential candidates recognize that the health insurance system in America is flawed. And both programs offered by the candidates have positive and negative attributes. After having worked in Washington D.C. for many years I also feel the need to tell you that no matter who wins this election health care may or may not be at the top of the new President's list of things to get done and to get done quickly. Also know that it is not solely up to the President to pass any new health care laws. Potential laws will go through a back-and-forth with Congress and certain parts of the plans that we are hearing about today may or may not make it into a final health care plan. My point is this, take action for your health today. Do not wait for the government to help you. Their help may take months or years to get to your doorstep and even then it may or may not be what you were hoping for.

Elizabeth is the author of, Living with IBD & IBS: A Personal Journey of Success - www.ibdandibs.com