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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on January 10, 2009, at 18:15:32
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Try a clinic associated with a hospital. You might be eligible to get "charity care", which will pay for everything. Teaching hospitals might be more willing to take on a case like yours.
- Scott
Posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 18:25:40
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Hi Detroit,
Call the manufacturer of Effexor. Some drug companies now have programs to help low-income people pay for scripts.
I've been there--without insurance--many times. It sux. Good luck to you.
Posted by Merge on January 10, 2009, at 19:20:18
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Generic Effexor XR is already produced in Canada - I am sure that I would be violating some sort of site rule if I suggested that you order it from Canada, so I won't do that.
Your state's website is a good starting point in figuring out your options - there should be links on state/county/city (if it's a big city) health care options for people with no insurance and/or low income. I live in a very small town but there is a regional community health center for people with limited finances - they charge a sliding scale fee for appointments.
The hospital that is closest to me has an entire department dedicated to Financial Assistance - I know that one of the services they provide is to help people without insurance get prescriptions at no cost or at reduced cost. I think that most hospitals have programs like this - give a call to the hospitals closest to you and explain your situation. If they can't help you, they will probably be able to point you in the right direction.
It may take some research and a bunch of phone calls on your part but hopefully some of the suggestions you get on this board will help. Good luck.
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 10, 2009, at 19:35:19
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Check out http://www.needymeds.org/
One-step information clearing-house on medication assistance programs and such.
Lar
Posted by Mickapoo on January 10, 2009, at 20:16:30
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
I receive Lamictal for free via the Bridges to Access program through Glasko Smith Kline. You can get the Effexor though Merck's program, http://www.wyeth.com/patientassistance. They both are provided to those without insurance. Good luck to you!
Posted by Mickapoo on January 10, 2009, at 20:31:02
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
I also do not have insurance. I was in the exact same boat that you are now. There are several places you can look, and also, you may find not-for-profit facilities that may not be listed in directories. I spent A LOT of time making phone calls and going from here to there until I finally found a place.
Here are some places you can look
http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/ Many of these places may not list mental health as part of their services, but if you call there, they may tell you they take them on a case by case basis, especially if you are already on medications.Also look up the Department of Health for your state. Here is the main link for Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.hhs.gov/resource/index.html. You'll see some links for low-cost or free medical care, and there's this one that links off of that site for mental health issues: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/
Try those out, and let us know what happens! I'll be glad to help you as much as I can. Like I said, I've been in the exact same boat as you are now.
Posted by desolationrower on January 11, 2009, at 2:04:56
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » detroitpistons, posted by Mickapoo on January 10, 2009, at 20:31:02
I would (well, actually i am in a similar situation to you, and so i should say DO) buy my drugs from overseas. Its impermissible here to say how, but its not difficult.
Alternatively, you could switch the effexor to one of the cheap generic sris.
-d/r
Posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:14:26
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by desolationrower on January 11, 2009, at 2:04:56
> I would (well, actually i am in a similar situation to you, and so i should say DO) buy my drugs from overseas. Its impermissible here to say how, but its not difficult.
>
> Alternatively, you could switch the effexor to one of the cheap generic sris.
>
> -d/r
I've thought about that before, but when I looked into it, it still seemed kind of expensive. I take 225 mg of Effexor XR (3 x 75 mg). It seems like the overseas places charge per pill, not per dose...Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. Can you tell me how much it costs you?
Posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:41:51
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by Garnet71 on January 10, 2009, at 18:25:40
> Hi Detroit,
>
> Call the manufacturer of Effexor. Some drug companies now have programs to help low-income people pay for scripts.
>
> I've been there--without insurance--many times. It sux. Good luck to you.
Thanks for the reply...I went to Wyeth's website, and I found a very interesting and revealing fact. One of the qualifications for drug assistance is this:"They earn less than 200% of the current Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines."
Well, the 2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines for a 1 person household is $10,400.
http://aspe.hhs.gov/POVERTY/08poverty.shtml
Therefore, because I am on unemployment, I don't think I qualify. They advertise that they want to help people in order to garner some respect from the public, but when it comes down to it, it seems like you have to be homeless for them to consider you. Maybe if I give them a call they'll make an exception, but I'm not holding my breath.
This really makes me dislike drug companies even more. I've taken and paid for Effexor XR for years. If they're not willing to help me for a few months because I'm on unemployment, that's just ridiculous. Even before I got laid off, I don't think I would have been able to afford the insane retail cost of Effexor XR. I think the insurance company was paying several hundred dollars per month, maybe as much as $600-$700.
I should probably call them before rushing to judgement, but reading this kind of stuff just makes me angry.
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 11:09:26
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:41:51
Ran into same problem as owned a house, car, and had some savings so did'nt qualify either. Also clinics with sliding scales often can find meds for you. I know a friend who did this. But then she didn't own a thing. Good luck. Phillipa
Posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 12:49:21
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:41:51
Detroit, believe me, I understand. Also, to qualify for medicaid anymore, if you don't have kids, you can only make something like $500 a month (don't quote me on that).
I went for years and years with a child making too much money to qualify for anything. For many years I made $1200 a month--less than $15,000 per year--but could not qualify for ANY help. But get this--my child care expense for work was $500 per month, so I effectively earned $700 a month. They never took that into consideration even though I could not work unless I paid the day care bill. So we went without health care for many years.
One time though, I had to seek mental health services for my child. Through a special program with the government, we got a discount for therapy--$80 an hour instead of $100 an hour..lol! All on my income of $1200 per month minus $500 per month day care charges, I am eligible to pay only $80 an hour for services to help my child.
It keeps people in the cycle of poverty becuase the really destititute, once you start getting out of it, are disqualified from any help. It sometimes is a catch 22 situation. It's also how people with medical problems become homeless.
Oh and many, if not most, doctors charge people without health insurance twice as much as insurance companies pay for the same services. So, it is in your best interest to find a clinic as someone else advised you to do.
It's good to vent, especially anonymously...lol.
But yes, if you call the drug company you might find out otherwise.
Posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 13:04:33
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 12:49:21
> Detroit, believe me, I understand. Also, to qualify for medicaid anymore, if you don't have kids, you can only make something like $500 a month (don't quote me on that).
>
> I went for years and years with a child making too much money to qualify for anything. For many years I made $1200 a month--less than $15,000 per year--but could not qualify for ANY help. But get this--my child care expense for work was $500 per month, so I effectively earned $700 a month. They never took that into consideration even though I could not work unless I paid the day care bill. So we went without health care for many years.
>
> One time though, I had to seek mental health services for my child. Through a special program with the government, we got a discount for therapy--$80 an hour instead of $100 an hour..lol! All on my income of $1200 per month minus $500 per month day care charges, I am eligible to pay only $80 an hour for services to help my child.
>
> It keeps people in the cycle of poverty becuase the really destititute, once you start getting out of it, are disqualified from any help. It sometimes is a catch 22 situation. It's also how people with medical problems become homeless.
>
> Oh and many, if not most, doctors charge people without health insurance twice as much as insurance companies pay for the same services. So, it is in your best interest to find a clinic as someone else advised you to do.
>
> It's good to vent, especially anonymously...lol.
> But yes, if you call the drug company you might find out otherwise.
I feel for you. The system we have is sick and twisted. Unless you are completely disabled or on welfare, good luck getting any help. Fortunately, there are some clinics out there. It's nice to know that there are still some people out there who care.People who have had group insurance their whole lives might not realize how lucky they are, and how bad things can be if you lose a job. INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS ARE A SCAM!! They don't cover anything. It's basically just bankrupcy insurance in case you have some kind of catastrophe. Even if I purchased an individual plan right now, it wouldn't cover my mental health because it's a pre-existing condition. If your employer doesn't provide health insurance, you are basically screwed. The individual plans are just pathetic, or they cost hundreds/ month for an individual, and possibly a couple thousand for a family.
I was also without insurance when I got laid off in 2002. I am a layoff magnet, I guess. Anyways, during that time, I couldn't afford insurance. I fell and hurt my back and didn't go to the emergency room because I knew I'd be paying for it for the rest of my life....The idea that getting sick or injured can lead to bankrupcy is just wrong, and it makes my blood boil.
I'm going to be in school for the next couple of years (my first degree didn't do me much good), and I don't have much hope for getting healthcare during that time. In fact, I'm scared to exercise or play sports for fear that I may get injured.
Posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 13:56:30
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help » Garnet71, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 13:04:33
"I'm going to be in school for the next couple of years (my first degree didn't do me much good), and I don't have much hope for getting healthcare during that time. In fact, I'm scared to exercise or play sports for fear that I may get injured."
Hey--most colleges offer health insurance and the cost is generally lower...the good part is that you can finance it in with your student loans..
Posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2009, at 15:00:28
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
The drug assistance programs are there for people like you. Most of the drug companies have programs in place to provide free meds to people who need them but can't afford them.
You can order generic meds yourself from overseas. Since it is against this board's policies, I cannot state the websites. If you spend a little time doing a google search, you'll find them. For effexor, you would probably have to switch to the regular release version and do multiple doses during the day instead of the extended release version. The drugs are the real deal and are fairly cheap. The only drawback is that shipping time is usually 2 to 3 weeks. I've done this many times without any problems.
Posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 15:43:35
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by Garnet71 on January 11, 2009, at 13:56:30
> "I'm going to be in school for the next couple of years (my first degree didn't do me much good), and I don't have much hope for getting healthcare during that time. In fact, I'm scared to exercise or play sports for fear that I may get injured."
>
> Hey--most colleges offer health insurance and the cost is generally lower...the good part is that you can finance it in with your student loans..That's good news. I will check into it. When I was in college the first time, you could get treated at the university's clinic, but only for relatively minor stuff and you had to be a full time student. I'm going to be going part time at a community college for now, but eventually I'll be doing a full time nursing program, so I bet they will offer some kind of insurance. What's ironic is that I'll have to also pay for malpractice insurance when I do my clinicals.
Posted by desolationrower on January 12, 2009, at 1:27:42
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 11, 2009, at 9:14:26
> > I would (well, actually i am in a similar situation to you, and so i should say DO) buy my drugs from overseas. Its impermissible here to say how, but its not difficult.
> >
> > Alternatively, you could switch the effexor to one of the cheap generic sris.
> >
> > -d/r
>
>
> I've thought about that before, but when I looked into it, it still seemed kind of expensive. I take 225 mg of Effexor XR (3 x 75 mg). It seems like the overseas places charge per pill, not per dose...Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. Can you tell me how much it costs you?
>
>well i save about 33% on parnate, but MAOIs are hard to find, i'd imagine effexor would be better savings.
-d/r
Posted by CaptainAmerica1967 on January 12, 2009, at 16:00:43
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Look up Partnership for Prescription Assistance or Bridge to Access.
If you currently don't have insurance and don't make enough money then you can qualify for free (with copay) meds.
Posted by Mickapoo on January 12, 2009, at 16:38:08
In reply to MAOI TX in Severe+Resistant Depression, posted by CaptainAmerica1967 on January 12, 2009, at 16:00:43
Also look up Merck as they are the manufacturer of Effexor.
Posted by detroitpistons on January 14, 2009, at 15:45:22
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
So I called the community mental health center and talked to a clinician for about 45 minutes. He deemed me eligible and scheduled me for an intake! He made it sound like the center might balk at him a little bit for accepting me...Apparently, they are so overwhelmed, that most of the patients there are very severely ill and very needy. I almost feel guilty asking for a handout. I wish I didn't have to take these stupid drugs.
Posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:28:20
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Do you have a county mental health program or clinic in your area?
If so, that would be your best bet for getting some help with medications for mental illness.
> Hi all,
>
> It's been a while since I've been on this board, although I was never a regular. I mostly lurked in the past, but also did some posting....
>
> Anyways, I'm back because I need some opinions. I was laid off from my job and then was on COBRA for several months, but couldn't afford it anymore (almost $400/ month). I recently moved back home to go back to school because I couldn't find a job. I had my last appointment with my old doctor in December, and I got 3 months worth of meds at that time. It's been that way for a while. I've been relatively stable for a nice, long stretch. I just had maintenance appointments every 3 months and my pdoc would refill my scripts.
>
> I'm on Effexor and Lamictal (I also take Xanax as needed). My last doctor thought I was BP2. I've been doing relatively well on this combo. I just need to continue my supply. I could probably afford to pay $100 for a pdoc maintenance appt every 3 months (although there will be an expensive initial intake appointment), but I don't think I can afford the Effexor XR until it goes generic. Lamictal is already generic, but I don't think Effexor XR goes generic until the summer.
>
> I've been fortunate to never have been in this position until now, but I have no experience with this and I don't know where to go or what to do. I've always had some form of insurance.
>
> Anybody have any advice?
>
>
> Thanks a million!
Posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE, posted by detroitpistons on January 14, 2009, at 15:45:22
Do not let them make you feel this way. Its your tax money that pays these clowns and if we ever get a universal healthcare plan in the US these jokers will be out of business.
You need your medications and you need to make that clear to them. Don't take any BS off of them. There are usually some mandatory phone numbers and addresses posted at county services to make a complaint or greivance, so make sure you get down there and get an appointment with them.
If you feel suicidal at all, make that clear to these people and that may help speed these overpaid county employees to get the message.
> So I called the community mental health center and talked to a clinician for about 45 minutes. He deemed me eligible and scheduled me for an intake! He made it sound like the center might balk at him a little bit for accepting me...Apparently, they are so overwhelmed, that most of the patients there are very severely ill and very needy. I almost feel guilty asking for a handout. I wish I didn't have to take these stupid drugs.
Posted by detroitpistons on January 28, 2009, at 17:44:11
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43
So I had the actual intake appointment at the county mental health center, and I was actually VERY impressed. The guy I talked to on the phone was completely wrong. The intake psychologist was very surprised that he said what he said.
The intake was the most comprehensive I've ever had. I was interviewed for more than an hour and a half. I never had that kind of attention when I had insurance and when I was a paying patient at psychiatrist's offices. She really made me feel at ease with the process and seemed like she genuinely cared, and that I would get all the medication that I needed.
I have my first appointment with the psychiatrist on Saturday. Hopefully it goes well. The biggest difference with these kinds of free services, obviously, is that you don't get to choose your doctor...I can live with that.
In our hyper capitalistic society, I'm surprised that there are resources like this. I'm truly grateful. Our healthcare system in the U.S. is garbage. It's inefficient and too profit driven. If you have an illness and don't work for a company who offers group insurance, you can't buy individual insurance that will cover the things that you need the insurance for (as far as I know). The individual health insurance market is a friekin joke.
> Do not let them make you feel this way. Its your tax money that pays these clowns and if we ever get a universal healthcare plan in the US these jokers will be out of business.
>
> You need your medications and you need to make that clear to them. Don't take any BS off of them. There are usually some mandatory phone numbers and addresses posted at county services to make a complaint or greivance, so make sure you get down there and get an appointment with them.
>
> If you feel suicidal at all, make that clear to these people and that may help speed these overpaid county employees to get the message.
>
>
>
> > So I called the community mental health center and talked to a clinician for about 45 minutes. He deemed me eligible and scheduled me for an intake! He made it sound like the center might balk at him a little bit for accepting me...Apparently, they are so overwhelmed, that most of the patients there are very severely ill and very needy. I almost feel guilty asking for a handout. I wish I didn't have to take these stupid drugs.
>
>
Posted by Ceres on January 28, 2009, at 19:30:11
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » rvanson, posted by detroitpistons on January 28, 2009, at 17:44:11
Good to hear that you got services through the County. It sounds exceptional.
That's so much better than in many regions. Here, one has to admit to being a danger to oneself or others(hospitalization)or have active psychosis to qualify. (Not that it's an inherently rotten system, they're just strapped for funds & can't retain their MD's).
If your county gets similarly strapped w/ budget cuts & you need a back up plan, there are therapy clincs (Family Resource or Service Centers, etc)in sizable cities. They usually require that one see a therapy intern at a sliding scale rate before they'll let you see the MD they contract w/. Their MD's are usually available at sliding scale to the uninsured.
It's another no-insurance, low-income possibility.
Posted by CaptainAmerica1967 on February 3, 2009, at 20:07:05
In reply to No insurance / No doctor / Need help, posted by detroitpistons on January 10, 2009, at 18:06:36
Hi, I haven't read through the other comments but Parntership for Prescription Assistant and or Bridges to Access. There are others too.
Posted by detroitpistons on February 4, 2009, at 13:55:04
In reply to Re: No insurance / No doctor / Need help - UPDATE » detroitpistons, posted by rvanson on January 28, 2009, at 9:38:43
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