Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 That's too bad, Dennis. I'm really sorry that this is not working out for you. Do they require you to pay a huge co-payment? Just curious, how much do they expect you to pay? Have you tried to get help from the company that makes Enbrel? I wish there were some way for you to try it. It really is a wonderful drug for me. Sue On Sunday, February 13, 2005, at 07:12 PM, Dennis W wrote: > > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a > substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! > It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not > consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 That's too bad, Dennis. I'm really sorry that this is not working out for you. Do they require you to pay a huge co-payment? Just curious, how much do they expect you to pay? Have you tried to get help from the company that makes Enbrel? I wish there were some way for you to try it. It really is a wonderful drug for me. Sue On Sunday, February 13, 2005, at 07:12 PM, Dennis W wrote: > > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a > substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! > It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not > consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 oh dennis, i am so sorry to hear that... rae [ ] Expensive Meds! I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a substitute teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider another med as a supplement. Oh well... Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2005 Report Share Posted February 13, 2005 oh dennis, i am so sorry to hear that... rae [ ] Expensive Meds! I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a substitute teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider another med as a supplement. Oh well... Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Hi Dennis, I live in France and the state pays for my Enbrel. I do not wish to be out of order, but since I have been on this group I have come to the opinion that the US healthcare system is the most expensive and least equitable in the developed world. Please feel free to tell me if I am wrong, because I am in no way anti-American. I have many American friends n [ ] Expensive Meds! I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a substitute teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider another med as a supplement. Oh well... Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Hi Dennis, I live in France and the state pays for my Enbrel. I do not wish to be out of order, but since I have been on this group I have come to the opinion that the US healthcare system is the most expensive and least equitable in the developed world. Please feel free to tell me if I am wrong, because I am in no way anti-American. I have many American friends n [ ] Expensive Meds! I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a substitute teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider another med as a supplement. Oh well... Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 n, You opinion is well based. There is something wrong in a country that manufactures and exports medication to other countries and we can get meds cheaper in those other countries cheaper than our own. This is a great country, but the medical/insurance dilemma is the pits. a On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:17:33 +0100, n Green <marian.green@...> wrote: > Hi Dennis, > > I live in France and the state pays for my Enbrel. I do not wish to be out > of order, but since I have been on this group I have come to the opinion > that the US healthcare system is the most expensive and least equitable in > the developed world. Please feel free to tell me if I am wrong, because I > am in no way anti-American. I have many American friends > > n > [ ] Expensive Meds! > > > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a > substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... > > Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 n, You opinion is well based. There is something wrong in a country that manufactures and exports medication to other countries and we can get meds cheaper in those other countries cheaper than our own. This is a great country, but the medical/insurance dilemma is the pits. a On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:17:33 +0100, n Green <marian.green@...> wrote: > Hi Dennis, > > I live in France and the state pays for my Enbrel. I do not wish to be out > of order, but since I have been on this group I have come to the opinion > that the US healthcare system is the most expensive and least equitable in > the developed world. Please feel free to tell me if I am wrong, because I > am in no way anti-American. I have many American friends > > n > [ ] Expensive Meds! > > > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a > substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... > > Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Dennis, Have you tried any of the drug assistance organizations or contacted the manufactures directly? They all have programs for those that can't afford their meds. a On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 18:12:39 -0600, Dennis W <betnden@...> wrote: > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a > substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... > > Dennis > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Dennis, Have you tried any of the drug assistance organizations or contacted the manufactures directly? They all have programs for those that can't afford their meds. a On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 18:12:39 -0600, Dennis W <betnden@...> wrote: > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a > substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... > > Dennis > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 I agree with both n and a. Go to Canada to get the drugs that are manufactured in the USA at a much reduced rate that what you can get them here for. Somethings is definately wrong with that picture!! With all the lawyers we have in this country you'd think there would be some of them who would fight the drug companies and the insurance companies to get us better health care!! Heck, I work in healthcare and the insurance policy the hospital gave us really bites!! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have it, but it still sucks!!! As for the drug company programs, I know most, if not all, have programs. In fact, I saw a form at the CVS pharmacy for Phizer (spelled wrong) and their prescription assistant program. You can get the company info from any pharmacy........Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 I agree with both n and a. Go to Canada to get the drugs that are manufactured in the USA at a much reduced rate that what you can get them here for. Somethings is definately wrong with that picture!! With all the lawyers we have in this country you'd think there would be some of them who would fight the drug companies and the insurance companies to get us better health care!! Heck, I work in healthcare and the insurance policy the hospital gave us really bites!! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have it, but it still sucks!!! As for the drug company programs, I know most, if not all, have programs. In fact, I saw a form at the CVS pharmacy for Phizer (spelled wrong) and their prescription assistant program. You can get the company info from any pharmacy........Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 The US drug makers have made a strike against foreign druggists. They have served notice to all of them that if they sell drugs to an american market at below retail, they will no longer have access to those drugs. The really sad part of it is the government is backing the manufacturers, or so it appears. It'll be a sad state of affairs if the threat is carried out. Dennis [ ] Re: Expensive Meds! > > > I agree with both n and a. Go to Canada to get the drugs > that are manufactured in the USA at a much reduced rate that what > you can get them here for. Somethings is definately wrong with that > picture!! With all the lawyers we have in this country you'd think > there would be some of them who would fight the drug companies and > the insurance companies to get us better health care!! Heck, I work > in healthcare and the insurance policy the hospital gave us really > bites!! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have it, but it still > sucks!!! As for the drug company programs, I know most, if not all, > have programs. In fact, I saw a form at the CVS pharmacy for Phizer > (spelled wrong) and their prescription assistant program. You can > get the company info from any pharmacy........Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 The US drug makers have made a strike against foreign druggists. They have served notice to all of them that if they sell drugs to an american market at below retail, they will no longer have access to those drugs. The really sad part of it is the government is backing the manufacturers, or so it appears. It'll be a sad state of affairs if the threat is carried out. Dennis [ ] Re: Expensive Meds! > > > I agree with both n and a. Go to Canada to get the drugs > that are manufactured in the USA at a much reduced rate that what > you can get them here for. Somethings is definately wrong with that > picture!! With all the lawyers we have in this country you'd think > there would be some of them who would fight the drug companies and > the insurance companies to get us better health care!! Heck, I work > in healthcare and the insurance policy the hospital gave us really > bites!! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have it, but it still > sucks!!! As for the drug company programs, I know most, if not all, > have programs. In fact, I saw a form at the CVS pharmacy for Phizer > (spelled wrong) and their prescription assistant program. You can > get the company info from any pharmacy........Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 As near as I can tell, I may have to pay $3600 toward the meds. There is a 15% co-pay and Enbrel is about $1400, about $210. That's only for the Enbrel, not counting the 10 other prescriptions I have to take. With only my SSD, there's no way I can afford that and I refuse to liquidate all I have left just because the government (DHS) wants us on bended knee, like the injured soldiers coming home from the Middle East. It's frustrating. I do have a few other avenues to check on. Maybe one of them will work out. Dennis Re: [ ] Expensive Meds! > > That's too bad, Dennis. I'm really sorry that this is not working out > for you. Do they require you to pay a huge co-payment? Just curious, > how much do they expect you to pay? > > Have you tried to get help from the company that makes Enbrel? I wish > there were some way for you to try it. It really is a wonderful drug > for me. > > Sue > > On Sunday, February 13, 2005, at 07:12 PM, Dennis W wrote: >> >> I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug >> Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. >> That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a >> substitute >> teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! >> It >> looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not >> consider >> another med as a supplement. Oh well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 As near as I can tell, I may have to pay $3600 toward the meds. There is a 15% co-pay and Enbrel is about $1400, about $210. That's only for the Enbrel, not counting the 10 other prescriptions I have to take. With only my SSD, there's no way I can afford that and I refuse to liquidate all I have left just because the government (DHS) wants us on bended knee, like the injured soldiers coming home from the Middle East. It's frustrating. I do have a few other avenues to check on. Maybe one of them will work out. Dennis Re: [ ] Expensive Meds! > > That's too bad, Dennis. I'm really sorry that this is not working out > for you. Do they require you to pay a huge co-payment? Just curious, > how much do they expect you to pay? > > Have you tried to get help from the company that makes Enbrel? I wish > there were some way for you to try it. It really is a wonderful drug > for me. > > Sue > > On Sunday, February 13, 2005, at 07:12 PM, Dennis W wrote: >> >> I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug >> Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. >> That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a >> substitute >> teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! >> It >> looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not >> consider >> another med as a supplement. Oh well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 There are certainly many flaws in our medical system and the high cost of drugs is one. However a fact I never knew until I needed it was that most drug companies, especially those of expensive meds, have people with various titles such as case managers, insurance coordinators, etc. who will negotiate with your insurance company to bring your co-pay down to an affordable amount. Often your doctor or his/her nurse will be able to direct you to that person --- ask your doctor. An example is I need to take a medication which cost $50,000 per year. No way could I afford that and it was not a covered med on my insurance. The coordinator worked with my insurance company and the price kept coming down but remained out of reach for quite some time. Finally they were able to work with my insurance company until I had a co-pay of only $15 per month. Many have mentioned going directly to the drug companies because many of them have great programs. Another example is my daughter needed to take Neurontin but couldn't afford it. I made a few calls for her (please don't ask, I don't remember numbers or even how I found them anymore even though it was just a few years ago.) I found that the manufacturer would provide it free if you had no prescription drug coverage. As I said, our system has many flaws, but no one should give up as there are many ways for many (not all, for sure --- unfortunately) to get help. I identify with all of you needing drugs you can't afford. I hope each of you find a way to get the help you need. Elaine > As near as I can tell, I may have to pay $3600 toward the meds. There is a > 15% co-pay and Enbrel is about $1400, about $210. That's only for the > Enbrel, not counting the 10 other prescriptions I have to take. With only my > SSD, there's no way I can afford that and I refuse to liquidate all I have > left just because the government (DHS) wants us on bended knee, like the > injured soldiers coming home from the Middle East. It's frustrating. I do > have a few other avenues to check on. Maybe one of them will work out. > > Dennis > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 There are certainly many flaws in our medical system and the high cost of drugs is one. However a fact I never knew until I needed it was that most drug companies, especially those of expensive meds, have people with various titles such as case managers, insurance coordinators, etc. who will negotiate with your insurance company to bring your co-pay down to an affordable amount. Often your doctor or his/her nurse will be able to direct you to that person --- ask your doctor. An example is I need to take a medication which cost $50,000 per year. No way could I afford that and it was not a covered med on my insurance. The coordinator worked with my insurance company and the price kept coming down but remained out of reach for quite some time. Finally they were able to work with my insurance company until I had a co-pay of only $15 per month. Many have mentioned going directly to the drug companies because many of them have great programs. Another example is my daughter needed to take Neurontin but couldn't afford it. I made a few calls for her (please don't ask, I don't remember numbers or even how I found them anymore even though it was just a few years ago.) I found that the manufacturer would provide it free if you had no prescription drug coverage. As I said, our system has many flaws, but no one should give up as there are many ways for many (not all, for sure --- unfortunately) to get help. I identify with all of you needing drugs you can't afford. I hope each of you find a way to get the help you need. Elaine > As near as I can tell, I may have to pay $3600 toward the meds. There is a > 15% co-pay and Enbrel is about $1400, about $210. That's only for the > Enbrel, not counting the 10 other prescriptions I have to take. With only my > SSD, there's no way I can afford that and I refuse to liquidate all I have > left just because the government (DHS) wants us on bended knee, like the > injured soldiers coming home from the Middle East. It's frustrating. I do > have a few other avenues to check on. Maybe one of them will work out. > > Dennis > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 your doctor should have the application for Neurontin as well as many others Check out the medshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 your doctor should have the application for Neurontin as well as many others Check out the medshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 You are right....Were you offering something? Maybe we should look at France the way we do to Canada to get our meds cheaper? Lol! --- In , " n Green " <marian.green@w...> wrote: > Hi Dennis, > > I live in France and the state pays for my Enbrel. I do not wish to be out of order, but since I have been on this group I have come to the opinion that the US healthcare system is the most expensive and least equitable in the developed world. Please feel free to tell me if I am wrong, because I am in no way anti-American. I have many American friends > > n > [ ] Expensive Meds! > > > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... > > Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 You are right....Were you offering something? Maybe we should look at France the way we do to Canada to get our meds cheaper? Lol! > Hi Dennis, > > I live in France and the state pays for my Enbrel. I do not wish to be out of order, but since I have been on this group I have come to the opinion that the US healthcare system is the most expensive and least equitable in the developed world. Please feel free to tell me if I am wrong, because I am in no way anti-American. I have many American friends > > n > [ ] Expensive Meds! > > > I got the paperwork for application to the Medicare Replacement Drug > Demonstration yesterday, and as near as I can tell, I can't afford it. > That's sad because I was hoping to get better enough to work as a substitute > teacher around the area. Uncle Sam blew that idea out of the water!!! It > looks like I'll have to continue on MTX and Prednesone, and not consider > another med as a supplement. Oh well... > > Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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