Re: Treatment options help

[Guest guest]

Dear - Now is the time to start working on getting into medicare Part D. That means applying for Social Security Disability. This is simply a good idea. If your disease is limiting your activity, then now is a good time to start. If you work only part time then applying for financial assistance through medicare or the drug companies themselves can help you pay for your drugs and lower copays substantially. Sometimes private insurers just arent enough. Its a very slippery slope with Medicare Part D these days. You need to find out if you are eligible for it and get the help you need. My boyfriend works for USPS and youd think they have amazing benefits. They dont. He has a nasty co pay himself being on Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you apply for disability, and are awarded, you may be able to work part-time making a small amount. Your ability to work is one thing, but making a nest for the day when you cant is a good idea. Hugs, Deborah

On 4/27/06, DJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote:

My name is and I live in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 yearsnow and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently

added Humira.However, every treatment option that my rheumy recommends is metwith obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to " pre-authorizations " and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I

pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet theymake me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and makeme jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-timenow, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal?

They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me havingmore aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain fromthe RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options?Does everyone experience this?

Any ideas would be appreciated!Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Thought these were good links to pass on. See below.

and Rob 17 Spondy

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: " Harold Van Tuyl " <hvantuyl@...>

<Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:30:58 -0700

Subject: RE: Treatment options help

Message-ID: <001b01c66a52$a38d8060$9509bf42@vantuyl>

I don’t qualify for financial assistance but I have collected some links

that claim to offer financial assistance. I have no idea how good they

are or even if they are still active. God bless.

Financial assistance

https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

https://www.helpingpatients.org/Intro.php

http://www.needymeds.com

http://www.themedicineprogram.com

Http://www.rxassist.org

http://www.medicationfoundation.com/

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_

Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm

http://www.qdrug.com/sf/

http://www.freemedicineprogram.com

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/acrast.asp?aud=pat

http://www.joniandfriends.org/helps/financia.shtml

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

[mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Helen

Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 1:37 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re: Treatment options help

has anybody looked into the prescription assistance program that montel

williams supports? I'm thinking of doing it - I have no insurance - but

would like some input.

www.pparx.org

Thanks

Helen P.

nw ohio

[Guest guest]

Hello Dianna , I allso faced this obstacles I was paying 700 dollars plus every two weeks and was barely takeing anything home after that and taxes and other just was so hard to make it was between a rock and a hard spot all the time and was getting worse with the RA and other illnesses and in Augest I couldn't go no more so I just had to give up I got turned down for ssi maybe cause I had innsurance from my wifes job but it will not cover anything now because it's perexciting and what it does cover the deductible is so high and co pay we can still not afford it so I have no oppition either i had to have a mri we called the insurrance com. for perapproveal a month in advance and was told it was ok non was needed go ahead and take it , then after it went thur to my amazement it wasn't covered eiter not a penny 7500 dollars ,,, how will i pay this ???? now why did they not give me

aclue a month ago i would not have taken it !!!! but thankfully I went to hospital finacial aid and most all of it except for radiollogy was taken care of . But if they could of even hinted there might be a problem i would of declined it . Seems a bit dirty to me but i'm open to sugggestions allso . sorry so long . john DJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote: My name is and I live

in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 years now and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently added Humira. However, every treatment option that my rheumy recommends is met with obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to "pre- authorizations" and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet they make me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and make me jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-time now, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal? They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me having more aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain from the RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options? Does everyone experience this? Any ideas would be

appreciated! Thanks,

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

Dear - Do not give up on SSI. If you are disabled with RA and you have medical proof, then you need to find a lawyer to present your case. They do that pro bono which means they get a percentage of your reward. I would be in the exact same boat as you are if I was married to my guy which I am not. If you were not married it would be a different story. On another note, as long as you cant work, disability is just that. Its social security at an earlier age because you cant work and are retired. You are entitled to that benefit. Now that medicare Part D is available, your choice of medical plans is vast and many carriers are available. If your wifes income is just barely paying things at home, so much the better. You need to find a disability specialist in your area and schedule an appointment. Your wifes plan along with so many others is meant to supplement a healthy lifestyle, not a chronic illness or host of them. My advice to you is going to sound very wierd but you need to unenroll from her plan as it is a liability, and also if she agrees, to legally seperate. A legal seperation would do the trick I think. Alot of people are forced to do this. You need legal documentation on the books you intended to divorce.

You might both face losing your house etc, with the financial and medical burden you now place on your relationship. If you require constant care and she is the only care provider, then you have that in your favor. What you need is income and dual eligible medicare/Medicaid. They look at assets, existing insurance etc. Her income is your income. Using her insurance is a liability now. To break it down, here is the reality. I should have married my boyfriend ages ago but cant. I can LIVE with HIM under the same roof as I can site needing care on a consistent basis as well as other things but I cant marry him. If it werent for his extra income, the little he can spare, I would not be able to provide food or anything else for myself. He can barely afford to live on his own on a government income. I am living in an subsidized apartment and spend evenings over at his place. I get reviewed every year by the state and from the Government periodically. His insurance will not cover me for anything so I have to keep my SSDI with medical benefits. Having him around is a lifeline. Especially when I am flaring. The system just isnt set up for disabled or chronically ill people. They will not allow you to live in any other conditions than the guidelines they dicatate. Insurance providers HATE and I do mean HATE having a employee with a disabled spouse on their rolls. The system is designed to be cost effective and you are NOT cost effective. Getting counseling from a SSDI lawyer who deals with this all the time, may have some ideas for you. Each state is different with their criteria. We can never marry in the legal traditional sense. But there are alternatives. Even marrying in another state isnt an option for us. But, we can handfast. That isnt seen as legally binding, and was used in ancient days to join people in matrimony usually in secret. When you love each other enough, things like handfasting have their appeal. I wanted a beautiful wedding with all the trimmings, but as long as I have him, I can do without the legal and civil recognition. I am already a burden with my health deteriorating, and we both talk about things like this at length. An open honest dialog is a good way to start. I can send additional information about these things if you or anyone is interested. Big Hugs, Deborah

In 4/27/06, john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote:

Hello Dianna , I allso faced this obstacles I was paying 700 dollars plus every two weeks and was barely takeing anything home after that and taxes and other just was so hard to make it was between a rock and a hard spot all the time and was getting worse with the RA and other illnesses and in Augest I couldn't go no more so I just had to give up I got turned down for ssi maybe cause I had innsurance from my wifes job but it will not cover anything now because it's perexciting and what it does cover the deductible is so high and co pay we can still not afford it so I have no oppition either i had to have a mri we called the insurrance com. for perapproveal a month in advance and was told it was ok non was needed go ahead and take it , then after it went thur to my amazement it wasn't covered eiter not a penny 7500 dollars ,,, how will i pay this ???? now why did they not give me aclue a month ago i would not have taken it !!!! but thankfully I went to hospital finacial aid and most all of it except for radiollogy was taken care of . But if they could of even hinted there might be a problem i would of declined it . Seems a bit dirty to me but i'm open to sugggestions allso . sorry so long .

john

DJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote:

My name is and I live in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 years now and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently added Humira. However, every treatment option that my rheumy recommends is met with obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to " pre-authorizations " and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet they make me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and make me jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-time now, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal? They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me having more aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain from the RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options?

Does everyone experience this? Any ideas would be appreciated!Thanks,

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone

calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

has anybody looked into the prescription assistance program that montel williams supports? I'm thinking of doing it - I have no insurance - but would like some input. www.pparx.org Thanks Helen P. nw ohiojohn stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Hello Dianna , I allso faced this obstacles I was paying 700 dollars plus every two weeks and was barely takeing anything home after that and taxes and other just was so hard to make it was between a rock and a hard spot all the time and was getting worse with the RA and other illnesses and in Augest I couldn't go no more so I just had to give up I got turned down for ssi maybe cause I had innsurance from my wifes job but it will not cover anything now

because it's perexciting and what it does cover the deductible is so high and co pay we can still not afford it so I have no oppition either i had to have a mri we called the insurrance com. for perapproveal a month in advance and was told it was ok non was needed go ahead and take it , then after it went thur to my amazement it wasn't covered eiter not a penny 7500 dollars ,,, how will i pay this ???? now why did they not give me aclue a month ago i would not have taken it !!!! but thankfully I went to hospital finacial aid and most all of it except for radiollogy was taken care of . But if they could of even hinted there might be a problem i would of declined it . Seems a bit dirty to me but i'm open to sugggestions allso . sorry so long . john DJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote: My name is and I live in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 years now and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently added Humira. However, every treatment option that my rheumy recommends is met with obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to "pre- authorizations"

and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet they make me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and make me jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-time now, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal? They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me having more aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain from the RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options? Does everyone experience this? Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks,

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

I receive 6 different prescriptions thru assistance programs including Humeri. But I have been dealing dealing directly with the drug companies, or a program called together RX. in WI Helen <helen050959@...> wrote: has anybody looked into the prescription assistance program that montel williams supports? I'm thinking of doing it - I have no insurance - but would like some input.www.pparx.orgThanksHelen P.nw ohiojohn stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Hello Dianna , I allso faced this obstacles I was paying 700 dollars plus

every two weeks and was barely takeing anything home after that and taxes and other just was so hard to make it was between a rock and a hard spot all the time and was getting worse with the RA and other illnesses and in Augest I couldn't go no more so I just had to give up I got turned down for ssi maybe cause I had innsurance from my wifes job but it will not cover anything now because it's perexciting and what it does cover the deductible is so high and co pay we can still not afford it so I have no oppition either i had to have a mri we called the insurrance com. for perapproveal a month in advance and was told it was ok non was needed go ahead and take it , then after it went thur to my amazement it wasn't covered eiter not a penny 7500 dollars ,,, how will i pay this ???? now why did they not give me aclue a month ago i would not have taken it !!!! but thankfully I went to hospital finacial aid and most all of it except for radiollogy was taken care of . But if they

could of even hinted there might be a problem i would of declined it . Seems a bit dirty to me but i'm open to sugggestions allso . sorry so long . johnDJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote: My name is and I live in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 years now and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently added Humira. However, every treatment option that

my rheumy recommends is met with obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to "pre-authorizations" and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet they make me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and make me jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-time now, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal? They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me having more aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain from the RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options? Does everyone experience this? Any ideas would be appreciated!Thanks, Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

I don’t qualify for financial

assistance but I have collected some links that claim to offer financial

assistance. I have no idea how good they are or even if they are still

active. God bless.

Financial assistance

https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

https://www.helpingpatients.org/Intro.php

http://www.needymeds.com

http://www.themedicineprogram.com

Http://www.rxassist.org

http://www.medicationfoundation.com/

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_

Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm

http://www.qdrug.com/sf/

http://www.freemedicineprogram.com

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/acrast.asp?aud=pat

http://www.joniandfriends.org/helps/financia.shtml

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Helen

Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006

1:37 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re:

Treatment options help

has anybody looked into the prescription assistance program that montel

williams supports? I'm thinking of doing it - I have no insurance - but would

like some input.

www.pparx.org

Thanks

Helen P.

nw ohio

[Guest guest]

Thanks Deborah ,, thanks for the info it's very informative , i do have an attorney working on it for me I allso have DDD wich I think is a bigger contribiding factor other than the constant pain from the RA and allso nerves being bottered by ostio arthritis bone spurs all over it's a very painfull excistance . Deborah Bargad

<dbargad@...> wrote: Dear - Do not give up on SSI. If you are disabled with RA and you have medical proof, then you need to find a lawyer to present your case. They do that pro bono which means they get a percentage of your reward. I would be in the exact same boat as you are if I was married to my guy which I am not. If you were not married it would be a different story. On another note, as long as you cant work, disability is just that. Its social security at an earlier age because you cant work and are retired. You are entitled to that benefit. Now that medicare Part D is available, your choice of medical plans is vast and many carriers are available. If your wifes income is just barely paying things at home, so much the

better. You need to find a disability specialist in your area and schedule an appointment. Your wifes plan along with so many others is meant to supplement a healthy lifestyle, not a chronic illness or host of them. My advice to you is going to sound very wierd but you need to unenroll from her plan as it is a liability, and also if she agrees, to legally seperate. A legal seperation would do the trick I think. Alot of people are forced to do this. You need legal documentation on the books you intended to divorce. You might both face losing your house etc, with the financial and medical burden you now place on your relationship. If you require constant care and she is the only care provider, then you have that in your favor. What you need is income and dual eligible medicare/Medicaid. They look at assets, existing

insurance etc. Her income is your income. Using her insurance is a liability now. To break it down, here is the reality. I should have married my boyfriend ages ago but cant. I can LIVE with HIM under the same roof as I can site needing care on a consistent basis as well as other things but I cant marry him. If it werent for his extra income, the little he can spare, I would not be able to provide food or anything else for myself. He can barely afford to live on his own on a government income. I am living in an subsidized apartment and spend evenings over at his place. I get reviewed every year by the state and from the Government periodically. His insurance will not cover me for anything so I have to keep my SSDI with medical benefits. Having him around is a lifeline. Especially when I am flaring. The system just isnt set up for

disabled or chronically ill people. They will not allow you to live in any other conditions than the guidelines they dicatate. Insurance providers HATE and I do mean HATE having a employee with a disabled spouse on their rolls. The system is designed to be cost effective and you are NOT cost effective. Getting counseling from a SSDI lawyer who deals with this all the time, may have some ideas for you. Each state is different with their criteria. We can never marry in the legal traditional sense. But there are alternatives. Even marrying in another state isnt an option for us. But, we can handfast. That isnt seen as legally binding, and was used in ancient days to join people in matrimony usually in secret. When you love each other enough, things like handfasting have their appeal. I wanted a beautiful wedding with all the trimmings, but as long as I have him, I can do without

the legal and civil recognition. I am already a burden with my health deteriorating, and we both talk about things like this at length. An open honest dialog is a good way to start. I can send additional information about these things if you or anyone is interested. Big Hugs, Deborah In 4/27/06, john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Hello Dianna , I allso faced this obstacles I was paying 700 dollars plus every two weeks and was barely takeing

anything home after that and taxes and other just was so hard to make it was between a rock and a hard spot all the time and was getting worse with the RA and other illnesses and in Augest I couldn't go no more so I just had to give up I got turned down for ssi maybe cause I had innsurance from my wifes job but it will not cover anything now because it's perexciting and what it does cover the deductible is so high and co pay we can still not afford it so I have no oppition either i had to have a mri we called the insurrance com. for perapproveal a month in advance and was told it was ok non was needed go ahead and take it , then after it went thur to my amazement it wasn't covered eiter not a penny 7500 dollars ,,, how will i pay this ???? now why did they not give me aclue a month ago i would not have taken it !!!! but thankfully I went to hospital finacial aid and most all of it except for radiollogy was taken care of . But if they could of even hinted

there might be a problem i would of declined it . Seems a bit dirty to me but i'm open to sugggestions allso . sorry so long . john DJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote: My name is

and I live in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 years now and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently added Humira. However, every treatment option that my rheumy recommends is met with obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to "pre-authorizations" and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet they make me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and make me jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-time now, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal? They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me having more aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain from the RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options? Does everyone experience this? Any ideas would be

appreciated!Thanks, Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

hi, ! This is Marcia, from western New York State. I had a similar insurance pain = opps! = plan....LOL....my plan was a pain! anyways, it is called Preferred Care, but my rheumy calls it Deferred care....a big runaround always. luckily I was able to swith to anyother plan that my employer offered, and things are much better. the co-pays are similar, but I no longer have to jump thru hoops for approvals. ask your employer when the open enrollment period will be = usually there is a small time period of a week or month, just once a year, when you can switch over to another insurance plan. gentle hugs! MarciaDJ <DJ_Curran@...> wrote: My name is and I live in Colorado. I have had RA for 5 years now and I am currently on MTX, Celebrex, prednisone and most recently added Humira.

However, every treatment option that my rheumy recommends is met with obstacles from Pacificare. They hold up treatment due to "pre-authorizations" and charge me outrageous amounts for my co-pays. I pay them about $600.00 a month for healthcare insurance, yet they make me pay nearly that much a month in co-pays for my meds and make me jump through hoops before-hand. I am only able to work part-time now, yet it's not enough to pay for my meds any more. Is this normal? They do NOT seem to want to help me get better by letting me having more aggressive treatments as prescribed. I am in constant pain from the RA, as well as from Pacificare. Do I have any other options? Does everyone experience this? Any ideas would be appreciated!Thanks,

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

what is DDD? Helen john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Thanks Deborah ,, thanks for the info it's very informative , i do have an attorney working on it for me I allso have DDD

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

Hello Helen , DDD is Degenertive Disc Diease a spine diease i have several huriated and bulgeing disc most in my cervical or neck the other in my lumbar or lower spin . Allso sever arthris of the spin to. john Helen <helen050959@...> wrote: what is DDD? Helen

john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Thanks Deborah ,, thanks for the info it's very informative , i do have an attorney working on it for me I allso have DDD Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

[Guest guest]

oh ok - thanks john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Hello Helen , DDD is Degenertive Disc Diease a spine diease i have several huriated and bulgeing disc most in my cervical or neck the other in my lumbar or lower spin . Allso sever arthris of the spin to. john

Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

[Guest guest]

you'er wellcome Helen <helen050959@...> wrote: oh ok - thanks john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: Hello Helen , DDD is Degenertive Disc Diease a spine diease i have several huriated and bulgeing disc most in my cervical or neck the other in my lumbar or lower spin . Allso sever arthris of the spin to. john Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on FareChase

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.