Done and done, Brad! As soon as I left my comment here I went and wrote to my Senator to request that he take action to correct this bureacratic idocicy. It seems that this was a rule that was written without much thought to the results. It simply needs fixed and we can work to make that happen if we are voacal and persistent.
a kcik-back? A KICK-BACK??? What are these people, nuts? Don't they realize that perhaps with this kind of treatment, you might even get off disability? Require less healthcare, thereby costing less overall? If the fear is that you're going to spend the money on champagne and chocolate bonbons, they can just require that it goes directly to the pharmacist.
Excellent post, Brad! I hope you share it in every community you belong to. I will also share it on every social media channel I know. When you go back to DC in September, please tell us how it goes.
This is the same delima I am facing now. My medicare has kicked in which is actually a curse for me as I was on Medicaid due to my long fight to get disability and not having any income other than my husbands coming in. Now i am loosing Medicaid and will only have Medicare and I am on Enbrel which is $2,500.00 for 1 month supply. I have been trying to stretch my medicine out and i havn't been taking it weekly like i am prescribed due to the fact I can't afford it!! I am now scared to death that the one drug in all the years i have had RA that actually works and helps is gonna be taken from me all because i have Medicare now and it won't pay enough for me to be able to stay on it. I have not responded at all to any other medicine other than Enbrel and the thought of not being able to afford it and have it taken from me is TERRIFYING!!!! Our health care system is so screwed up. The sick get sicker and the rich get richer!! 
Tracy,
Look into some of the philathranpic sites. For instance, I was able to get a grant to help cover my high copays for Orencia through the Health Well foundation. There are several out there! I agree, the system is a mess..... if you make enough to survive, they cut you off until you are so poor they have to step in to help you further...... makes NO Sense at all!
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So if I understand what you are saying, it's the Federal government that doesn't allow the pharmacy companies to help with copays if you receive medicare or medicaid? That's insane! Obviously a vauge rule that was interpreted by some silly buerucrate - too bad I can't spell. This needs fixed. Unfortunately I think they are busy fighting about no one having health care right now. No one should ever have to choose between health care and their mortgage or their groceries - that's why I supported the Affordable Care Act. It's not perfect but it's a step it the right direction. We can't have 30 million uninsured in the US. And we can't have this. Thanks for the heads up. I'll send an email to my rep.
Hi Leslie,
That is exactly correct. If you are on Medicare, you cannot partake in the Pharmacy companies co pay assistance programs. They see it as a kick back, that you are going to prefer that med..... like we have a choice? If it doesn't work, you are not going to stay on it! Its a stupid law for sure. The ONLY thing we can get is help from a philanthropic organization. For instance I received help from HealthWell. But those are hard to get and run out of funding very fast. Thank you for writing to your rep!
Brad
That would be a great thing! Highly doubt the pharma companies will think that way though!