I write books and create programs for people to give them motivation and skills that will help them do better with careers living with chronic illness. But I have to tell you. -There are times I get really down about how hard it is just to get by when you live with active chronic illness.
A study was recently published by Harvard Medical School researchers saying that
- Many U.S. adults with chronic illness are uninsured.
- Chronically ill uninsured patients are 4 times as likely to have trouble get medical care
I’m not surprised. Are you?
Just the other day, a client emailed me saying that the monthly medication she takes for multiple sclerosis, at the monthly price of $1704.16, has been deemed a tier two drug, a “maintenance medication”, by her insurer. That means that this drug which she’s been taking since 1997, has successfully stabilized her disease and allows her to continue to walk – is going to cost her $852. 08 month! In comparison, she is paying $950/month for her apartment.
I couldn’t believe this so I called and spoke to a representative at her insurance company who told me that if she paid more for monthly premiums, she would have better reimbursement.
Honestly, I’m not blaming the insurance company. That does make sense – from there perspective. They’re just trying to eke out a living here, too. But something is very wrong with out system.
I’ve got clients who can’t afford to quit jobs they hate because they need the health benefits and then they find the benefits aren’t sufficient to pay for what they need. And others who aren’t employed because they can’t find work they can physically do given their disabilities — but use what little funds they have to pay for insurance that doesn’t cover what they need.
Has this happened to you? Have you figured out someway to pay for medication (other than to ask the pharmaceutical to do so which some do – but is no longer allowed in MA) when you don’t have sufficient (or any) insurance?
FREE CAREER COACHING GRANT AVAILABLE
DO YOU LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND, HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND NEED CAREER COACHING? There is currently an opening in my practice for you to receive 6 months working with me for free through the Kelly Packowski Foundation Grants.
If you’re interested, contact me (Rosalind@cicoach.com) to find out more – put Kelly Packowski Grant in the subject line.
Rosalind aka cicoach.com
Cynthia Armistead says
I think there’s a word or two missing in the post:
Have you figured out someway to pay for medication (other than to ask the pharmaceutical to do so which some do – but is no longer allowed in MA) when you don’t have sufficient (or any) insurance?
Are you saying that it’s illegal to use pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs in Massachusetts? Why? That seems insane!
That’s the only way I know of to get medications affordably when you’re uninsured. Relying on samples from a physician is spotty, as doctors cannot guarantee that they’ll continue getting samples. If there’s a public hospital in the area, sometimes you can get routine care that way (like with Grady Hospital in Atlanta), but they tend to have a relatively limited list of medications available. They usually carry something from just about every class of drugs, but don’t count on getting whatever you’re accustomed to taking, even if the older medications don’t work for you.
Rosalind Joffe aka cicoach.com says
Cyntlhlia — Full disclosure, I don’tknow for sure that pharmaceuticals cannot give away free or less expensive drugs in MA. My client told me this was so – and I haven’t been able to find out (nor have I honestly researched it yet). But there is a new health insurance law that impacts pharma behavior so I’m assuming it’s part of that legislation. I hope that someone reading this is better informed. Rosalind
MaxJerz says
This website is a great resource for free/reduced cost meds: http://www.needymeds.com/
Be well,
MJ
Mary says
Oh this is a topic close to me heart!! #1-one of the things that keeps me working is my health insurance. I am the “stable” one in the family, while my husband is more of the free lance kind-that doesn’t have health coverage.
#2-We have a friend living with us that is in the midst of this perdicament. She has been on Medi-Cal (medicaid everywhere else) for years-but now is no longer eligible for it. It is totally crazy! While she was getting around $2500/month & on work comp she qualified. But now that she is employed she makes “too much” to qualify for medi-Cal, although it is much too little for her to move out on her own. Too much to qualify for Medi-Cal or the medication assistance programs that require you to be at poverty level. But not enough to pay for health care. And she is the victim of the current system where employers stop short just a few hours in scheduling so that they do not have to pay for health insurance for “full time” employees. we have been trying to work out a process for getting her medications & it is quite complicated and takes a lot of time and energy.
So the question of how to get your medications so that you can be functional with chronic illness is a MAJOR issue!!!!
Mary
Private Krankenversicherung says
Excelent blog and comments. Thanks and best regards from Germany Private Krankenversicherung