How to Pay for Meds if laid off

Kerstin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 01:01 PM

I have not been laid off yet, but my 8 years here does not give me alot of seniority and there are supposed to be massive lay offs starting in April. I am on alot of meds..and without them I will go blind and die. I have no savings. How does one pay for meds if you are laid off and have no money?

AVFD-FF · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 03:38 PM

Well it sounds like your better off than I am... I ma laid off with no insurence.

It really stinks having to pay for the everything I sure could use some help.

volleyball · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 05:18 PM

There are some drug companies that will reduce payment for those dieing. You could get on those lists.
There are lots of ways to cut expenses. I quickly found out I could live without a lot of things when I truly had to tighten my belt.

cdngoose · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi Kerstin
I see you are in California. I hear about Medicaid in the US. Would this plan be available to you. In Canada we have the Trillium Drug plan for those with low incomes. Unfortunately the plan does not cover diabetic supplies.
Can you get free samples from your doctors.

notme · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 06:17 PM

Hi Kerstin, these really are very scary times. Unfortunately, in California, there is little chance of getting on a Medical program unless you are under the age of 18 and pregnant or over 65.

However, I went through your list of medications and just about all of them are on the Walmart $4.00 program.

Go to the Walmart Pharmacy site and you will find they list all of the medications that qualify for the $4.00 program.

I hope you don't lose your job.

Kerstin · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 06:30 PM

Thank you all for your input! And, Not Me, thank you very very much for the information about Walmart! I never even thought of them! I stayed up last night trying to figure out what the meds I take would cost if ordered from Canada..and that was way more than $4.00 each! THANK YO!!

rotcoddam · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 02:55 PM

Let's all hope that it doesn't come to that for you personally, but it sure is an issue around the country.

BTW, generic Zocor is simvastatin, and for some reason the only chain to have it at a deep discount is KMart ($15 for 90 days).
Most of your others are cheap everywhere, a few are not.
Try googling pharmaceutical patient assistance programs, or go directly to the web sites of the manufacturers of your expensive medications. Depending on your financial situation, they may give you meds for free.

Test strips might be a bigger obstacle than the meds. The cheapest ate 50 - 75 cents each.

Rotcoddam

TomB · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi Kerstin,
You're doing a real smart thing - contingency planning for possible bad things to come. I found myself in that bad place a few years ago and found a few solutions.
1. WalMart generics.
2. Talk to your doctor about trying generics for the brand named high priced meds.
3. Have your doc presribe tablets twice the size you take. Buy a pill splitter and you'll get 60 days for the price of 30.
4. Right now, start refilling everything as soon as possible.
5. Test strips: WalMart brand is the same as the Abott Labs Precision Xtra - BUT - WalMart meter cost $9 bucks and 100 strips go for around $45.
6. Internet drug shopping - don't do it. There are bad people out there who steal pills, repackage, seal and sell. Guess where the money goes?
7. Read the newspaper weekly ads. Drug stores are always putting something diabetic on sale. Buy lots of what you need when it's on sale.
8. Check your county health dept. I used to live in Ca. and county health people can help a lot. Here in NC, we have a network where people with excess meds donate them and the county folks get them to where they're needed.
9. Get pride out of the way. You're dealing with survival and your family needs you.
10. Be confident - things will work out!
Tally Ho,
Tom