It's hell being poor...*laughs* but poor and have to have medicine and trust me your screwed. Since my hubby was laid off in November, we've been lucky that his meds he has to take lasted until this weekend. He doesn't have insurance at the moment, so we decided to cash in his 401 K to tide us over until he could find another job. Well with anything it takes time to fill out the paperwork and the check to come. It finally came, so hubby made an appointment with the dr. and refilled all his meds.
He takes several as he had open heart surgery in early 2000. Well the Dr. visit wasn't so bad. We've been going to him for years, and when hubby told him he wasn't working he did his best to cut the bill and give him as many samples as he could. He also made the perscriptions for 90 days to help. Well when hubby went to get everything filled he almost had a cornary at the price... Ok....are you sitting down... for 3 months of all his meds he had to pay $700.00 bucks.
Now I know it could have been more and we shouldn't complain.....I'm grateful we had the money and that he will have what he needs for 3 months. We will have to look into insurance or something, but we will. What really upsets me ....what happens to all those folks who don't have that kind of money to set down at one time?
I know that there are hundreds if not thousands of folks out there that can't...just the other day I was at lunch and got to talking to the lady checking me out. She kept messing up the cash register and finally appologized. Said she had a shunt in her head and hadn't been taking her meds and was getting confused. When I asked her why she hadn't been taking them...she said she had been out for over a month, had changed jobs and couldn't afford them.....how scary is that.
Not much other news from the boonies, I'm just sitting here watching it rain. We've got a nice little monsoon happening here. LOL Our computer guy will be here in a few minutes to change out our server so we will be down the better part of the day...
Happy Monday everybody.
22 comments on Bills & Pills
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What is so sad is all the money that our government pours into foreign countries. As you say, there are so many in this country who are very needy, but they are ignored. Many churches have become much more action; however, many of the needy so unnoticed. I wish that we could stay out of foreign issues and deal with those at home!
I've worked in the health field before, and seen the mess it is. Folks say hospitals charge too much..and they do...but you should see what insurance companies pay them...I did Medicaid and Medicare logs of a hospital, and they don't pay anything...it's sad all around
I've had times when I have had to wait until payday to get my meds. It is just such a rip off what medicine costs these days. I also take a lot of meds. I have spent over $7000 in one year just for medication.
Ouch...that's a lot of money. I understand having to wait...we did too. *hugs*
yes,this is very sad and it is happening to many folks out there.
Those who get laid off and have not health insurance.
Can you get any sort of help there?
He is checking into a few places to see what kind of coverage he can get. I'm hoping that it will help.
I am lucky in that I am considered 'poor, old and medical needy' so with most HMOs I don't pay anything for drugs or in some cases $2.25 a prescription.
Something that might help--write the manufacturer of the drug--in some caes they will give it to you free ar at a slight charge--I did that 8 years ago in order to get one of my drugs from Merck
We checked into that PPA stuff...and it helped some. I'll have to check and see who all the manufacturer are and see if I can write them. Thanks for the advise..*grins*
The main reason I am still working at 67 is for the insurance. I am on Medicare and a supplemental policy but I am really lucky because my employer pays for my insurance and any medications not covered by Medicare. I am employed by a small family owned business and I have worked there for 27 years......I can't even imagine how I would live if I retired. SCARY!
I understand, one of the big reasons I haven't gone anywhere is the company I am with...we have very good insurance. I can get my meds at reduced rates...but it's hard to get him covered on mine. I can only change my coverage once a year.
I ***hate**** this most about America :(
We should universal, affordable healthcare for all. I'm not at all political but this is something I beieve wholeheartedly.
My parents are in their 50's with no insurance and they both take meds that they can't live without. I've known both of them to skimp on meds often...out of necesity. so sad..
And luckily now I have insurance and I'll be sc**&& if I don't in the future. I'm currently on 5 scripts a month!!! (Just copays are $85/mo.)
I'm not sure universal healthcare will ever happen in the U.S., please with the government lord knows what kind of restrictions it would have. I too believe we need something ....but I hate to think what the government would do with it...
I am one of the uninsured.I can't go to the doctor and get presciptions to get filled.We have to have national health insurance.The very poor get medicaid but the rest of us go without any medical care.I take care of my Mom,who is feed through a tube in her stomach.She is totally bedridden and also has Alzheimers.I can't get a job because our family can't afford private care for my Mom.My sister takes care of Mom at night[she lives there] and works during the day.She atleast has health insurance but also many medical problems.There is nobody else to take care of my parents.I go without so many things I need just to survive.I can't get any assistance from the government for taking care of my parents,so I have learned to go without.I dont want pity.I just wish our government would "WAKE UP" and take care of it's own.Heres to our government........
I understand what your saying, and your not alone. I see folks every day in the same boat. Taking care of parents because they can't afford help. With my mom if it hadn't been for medicare we would have been in serious trouble...it's very scarey.
Health Care for all has it's own share of problems, ask people from Canada who have to wait months or longer for elective surgery. I would be afraid of what the corrupt u.s. politicians would do to a universal health care program. We can't seem to do anything right, why would that be any different...LOL
I agree, if it weren't for hubby's good insurance, I couldn't afford my meds. My Step mom is unemployed and has no insurance, except for a some kind of limited policy in the event of a catastrophic illness or something and the deductible is 2,000. So when she ruptured a blood vessel in her sinuses and had a bloody nose for 3 straight days, she had to go to the e.r. 4 different times, and finally on the 5th day they performed surgury, but I'm pretty sure they paid out of pocket. Luckily my Dad has enough savings they are ok. My brother in law still works because he can't afford the insurance if he were to retire. That is the ONLY thing keeping him working at this point. It's crazy.
I agree with you hun, scares me to think what the US government would do with universal healthcare. Look what it does to our veterans and the shape that system is in.
That is outrageous. Everytime I hear something like that I realize how lucky we are to have good insurance and a prescription plan and really don't much in the way of medicine. We really need to have something in place for people who don't have a plan.
I agree...but I don't see any progress being made toward it..which is sad
Being without the funds, insurance or benefits, I have often gone without seeing doctors for check-ups or when I am "suffering" from things simple enough to fight through myself where others may seek medical attention (like sinus infections, failing eyesight, backaches, etc.)
I must mention, though, the fine, attentive, professional attention I have received at a local clinic when I really did have a need. I applaud them for being there for anybody in need and charging only what a person can afford to pay, if a person can afford to pay at all.
The clinic will give samples of meds whenever possible, help arrange for free or "as inexpensive as possible" prescriptions, and have steered me in the right directions for free mammograms, blood work, and other tests. I must applaud them and will continue to appreciate what they have done for me and so many others.
I'm glad that your able to get the help when you need it. There needs to be more places like that around. Esp.. in rural communities and such.
I wish that Southern IL had a clinic like that one!
that is depressing to have to pay that much for prescriptions...I work @ Walgreens and seen the money ppl spend on prescriptions for just a one month supply...my sister has to pay $300/mo for my neices scripts and she's on insurance