Sucks.

[fit4life123 108]

Well, my mother lost her job which means I lost my health coverage...it really sucks but a part of me is happy this happened after I had surgery. I would have never been able to afford it self pay.

Unfortunately, I still have a gallbladder and the medicine I have to take to avoid gallstones was over $300! I was able to find an online coupon that got it down to $193 but seriously...that is expensive.

I've found out my visits to my follow ups are only about $80 which I know I can afford and basically because I'm a college student and make less than a certain amount a year I don't even qualify for any healthcare plans. My only option is to go to a low income center for primary care. Which is cool, I guess...I just hope they can help with this prescription...the site has a base fee of $30 for anything which really isn't bad.

Its just*sigh*..it was nice while it lasted...(Sorry, just venting).

[finediva 979]

Well, the bright side is you've had the surgery! Go ahead and vent, that's what we're here for.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Who makes your meds? Astrazeneca and Pfizer both have patient assist programs. They will send you meds free of charge.

[fit4life123 108]

Who makes your meds? Astrazeneca and Pfizer both have patient assist programs. They will send you meds free of charge.

It was ursodiol to prevent gallstones. It was prescribed by my surgeon. I'm not sure who makes them but I will check out the sites. Thanks! I'll be alright, I just stress and worry over every little thing even if its not in my control. The good part is I've learned not to reach for food during these times! Progress!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Talk to the doctor who prescribes them. They may know of alternative meds or other ways to get them inexpensively.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

lost my health coverage

@@fit4life123

this is a very sore subject for me

the issues behind health insurance/cost etc bother/anger me

my mom is 85 years OLD

on many meds

has to go to different docs alot

she pays alotttt, even after insurance pays their part

they just don't cover enough

i have 4 siblings

luckily between the 5 of us - we are able to supplement her income considerably

that way we don't have to worry she is not medically being helped

i am very lucky to have wonderful health insurance

primary is medicare

secondary is BCBS is from my office

no health insurance for anyone!!! that's so sad

especially when little kids et al are unable to get proper healthcare since they don't have insurance

any/all medical issues/problems/costs are terrible

dealing with/worry about your health issues are bad enough

but when people don't have the money to take care of their medical situations/meds etc - that is horrible

meds for helping to avoid gallstones $300.00, is that monthly???

hope you are able to deal with the finances

thoughts that most/many of you guys have insurance

wish the whole world was properly covered

ok, discussions about insurance - the above is continually my vent

very glad that you had surgery while you still had your moms' insurance

terrible your mom lost her job

hope she gets another job sooner than later

59 lbs down

that is great

keep up the good work

kathy

Edited February 15, 2015 by proudgrammy

[gal friday 176]

Can you get COBRA?

[fit4life123 108]

Can you get COBRA?

I'm not sure what you mean? Is that the continuation of coverage thing? If it is then no, my family would have to pay more than $1200 to keep the benefits and with my mother out of work there is just no way I could afford it and stay in school full time.

[gal friday 176]

Yeah, it's a continuation of benefits. Have you looked at getting coverage under the Affordable Care Act? If you applied on your own, you'd probably meet the income requirements because you are a student.

[Band2Sleeve2015 5]

Lots of times if the doctor knows you have no insurance they will give you free samples ????

[fit4life123 108]

Yeah, it's a continuation of benefits. Have you looked at getting coverage under the Affordable Care Act? If you applied on your own, you'd probably meet the income requirements because you are a student.

I actually called healthcare.gov and that's how I found out I didn't qualify. I am not elligible to purchase healthcare because my income isn't high enough and the woman was so sweet about it.

She helped me find some low cost primary doctors offices and tried to make me feel better by saying I wouldn't have to worry about being penalized. But at the time of the call I was just thinking about paying an arm and a leg for a month prescription, but many of the offices give discounts for students and whatnot.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Can you get COBRA?

COBRA is crazy expensive. It's one of the reasons why the Affordable Healthcare Act was needed.

To @fit4life123 - Make sure to let your doctors know you no longer have insurance. When I was uninsured I told my doctors and they were very helpful. One doctor charged me the charity rate. This is the same fee that they charge medical assistance pts and is typically lower than what is charged to insurance companies. He also would only prescribe the bare minimal amount of pills I needed and would look for generic or lower cost alternatives. He was also extremely generous with samples. Most doctor's have loads since drug reps often leave them.

[CountryGirl5584 115]

Can you get health insurance through your school?

[fit4life123 108]

Can you get health insurance through your school?

Its more of a walk in clinic on campus but you still have to make an appointment (Which makes no sense). They have free examinations but the lab fees are what kills you. They bill you $50 - $100 or more depending on what they are testing for.

One of the low cost doctors are literally 5 minutes away from my college. I've also found that most students go to this same doctor's office and pay around $20 to $40 for anything.

[gal friday 176]

Pharmaceutical companies themselves are good resources for cheap or free. medications. Their image is tarnished, so when people can't afford a drug, the drug companies have programs to provide that drug for cheap or free. I have done this once - my insurance company was being an asshole about covering my $80,000 per year MS drug, so the drug company gave it to me for me until I had arm wrestled my insurance company into covering it (which, I should point out, they were contractually obligated to do.) So try calling the pharmaceutical company and see what they can do. If the drug is expensive, there's a decent chance they've got a program for it.