insurance question

[kitten]

I just got back from my dr.'s office. She said that I needed a nebulizer because she says I have asthma, which is why I take albuterol inhaler. I asked her if this would be more on my insurance. She said that it wouldn't because I have a need for this. When I got home, I called the insurance company, and they said that I would have to come up with a percentage. I guess I can do without the nebulizer. This doesn't make me happy . What are some suggestions?

[lelggren]

I just got back from my dr.'s office. She said that I needed a nebulizer because she says I have asthma, which is why I take albuterol inhaler. I asked her if this would be more on my insurance. She said that it wouldn't because I have a need for this. When I got home, I called the insurance company, and they said that I would have to come up with a percentage. I guess I can do without the nebulizer. This doesn't make me happy . What are some suggestions?
What would be your percentage? If it is 40% or less, I say still get it. If not, ask the dr. if she knows of any programs, or even financing options. I am not sure of the costs of one of these things, but if it will help you, I say explore all your options before you just let go of the whole idea.

I understand your frustrations though. I hate insurance companies too.

[Cyborg]

Whenever we've needed one for the kids, our pediatrician let's us borrow one. They certainly don't make us buy one!

[Funnygrl]

I have a nebulizer. I had a 50% copay, which worked out to be $75.

Getting off topic...but if you are just on albuterol now, you might be able to do fine without the nebulizer if you add other meds- pulmicort, singulair, flovent, or advair are all good choices. I almost never need my albuterol when I am on singulair and advair. The goal should be avoiding using albuterol.

Also, I have heard some people say when using albuterol with a spacer, they have the same effect as using a nebulizer. Do you have a spacer?

Some places online have nebulizers fairly cheaply.

Cyborg, I have heard of people borrowing nebulizers too, but some people need them long term. I was nebulizing everyday for almost a year, and with my tendency I had at the time to flare without much notice, and the fact that my father has asthma too, it made sense for us to buy one.

[camjen1]

I have gotten nebulizers fairly cheap from Walgreens. Actually, they were so cheap that I bought 4 of them, 2 for my house for different rooms and 2 for my parents house. The albuterol ampules are what cost the arm and leg.

Advair is a really good inhaler but it can be kind of funny at first inhaling powder. I don't know if a spacer is of much help. My son has the spacer but only to make the most out of his 2 puffs.