OK, First of all, I want to pen this disclaimer:
I am in NO WAY affiliated with the companies mentioned here, and this is not to be taken as medical advice. I'm simply wanting to share with you what I have discovered, through my own research, that may hopefully give some of you some options.
You see, I am one of the Americans unfortunately without insurance. Medical, Dental, Prescription, Life...Auto. You name it--if it has the word "insurance"after it, I ain't got it. Why not, you may ask? Simple. Same reason as all the rest of us in this crowded dinghy: money. More specifically, lack thereof.
So..
When I was recently diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, upon leaving the hospital, I also left with a fistful of prescriptions to fill. None of which were listed on any pharmacy discounted $4 dollar list.
Though the medications prescribed were swapped with generic versions, even then the total out of pocket cost came to $190.10. For a 30 day supply (and actually, one of the medications was only for a 15 day supply, so I need to refill that one twice a month).
Nearly two hundred dollars a month! These meds are long-term for me. Now...for someone who can't afford insurance, I knew I couldn't afford $200 bucks a month indefinitely. Luckily, it was just about the time ol' Uncle Sam gave back some of the money he siphoned from The Assassin's paychecks from 2017. Which made it possible for me to afford to have the prescriptions filled. Unluckily, it was also around the time The Assassin unexpectedly lost his job. Which made it possible for me to worry all through April, about how I'm going to be able to afford to have them refilled in the future.
The future is now.
Whatcha' gonna' do?
Uh...well..I, uh..don't know.
I guess it's time to think outside the box. I mean, I'm all the time hearing, on one of the billion TV commercials for medicine, some mention about who to contact for prescription assistance, should you be unable to afford your medication. Why not give that a try.
Simply call the number on the screen.
Lies.
Turns out, those script assist companies will check on your behalf, to see if you qualify for a discount...for a "small" enrollment fee. Usually around $75-$100.
Wait a minute. You're gonna' charge me to search around on the interwebbies to see IF?
Sounds scammy. Bye.
So, I did the only thing I knew left to do: Call 211. Essential Community Services.
Let the games begin.
(note to readers: if you ever call, have a pen and paper handy. For all the runaround and transferring from one department to the next, you'll want to document the merry-go-round you're about to get on.)
After a lengthy session of determining who I needed to speak to,
I was finally transferred to a woman who informed me that since generic versions of my medications were available, I could not receive refills for free.
Color me confused.
Ok lady. Have it your way.
Here's the meat-n-taters you've been waiting for...
The lady then tells me that there is a program, that MANY uninsured people with generic prescription medication qualify for. It can be found at rxoutreach.org. The very same medications, that cost me $190.10 a month will cost me only $85 dollars, for a 3 month supply!! (math, per annum: $2,281.20 vs. $340.00. No brainer.)
Simply visit the website, enroll by creating a free account (enrollment is free also), search for your medication, provide your prescription, and they will MAIL your medicine to you!!
As the lady is sharing this information with me, and this is totally true, I turn my head, and my eyes fix on a laminated card on the kitchen counter. It's a discount prescription card. I don't know where the card came from. I checked it out. If your medication isn't covered at a deeply discounted price at rxoutreach.org, you can check to see if they are covered at goodrx.com, the name on the card. At goodrx.com, you can print out coupons to take to your participating pharmacy, for a below retail price of your medications! Many pharmacies participate. You're likely to find one in your area.
Is this for real?
Well, all I have to go on at the moment are the claims and customer testimonies.
However, I do need a refill for one medication, within the next 2 days. The only setback is that with rxoutreach.com, medications are refilled in 90 or 180 count dispensations (3 or 6 month supply), and my refill is for 30 count (1 month supply). So, I can't yet order from rxoutreach.com. I'll instead be refilling my 30 day prescription at a local bigbox pharmacy, with a coupon for a discount, provided through goodrx.com. After that month is up, I'll be visiting my primary care provider, who will write a new prescription for a 90 day supply. Then I will be able to use rxoutreach.com. But I will post my pharmacy experience, using the coupon method. That's right, I'm taking the risk, so that we can all know if this is legit!
If you're like me, and are wringing your hands over how to obtain affordable prescription medication,without insurance, stay tuned. We'll find out together!
If you enjoyed reading this, please consider upvoting, resteeming, and/or making your voice heard in the comment section.
I'll be writing updates to this post in a couple of days, with answers and more information regarding these programs.
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~Jane