Insurance Question

[miles2go]

Hi all,

Does anyone have suggestions for me for a med that I have that costs an ungodly amount of money to my insurance company every year ~$100,000/year, last time I checked? I have a $1,000,000 lifetime, so will probably be running into my limit in less than 8 years. Its patent is running out soon, but I'm wondering if I'll just be out of luck, come then-time.

Any help appreciated,

Margaret

[gfgypsyqueen]

You should be able to call the state Insurance department and ask them questions. Not sure if you want to ask annonymously. Your insurance carrier should also be able to tell you what happens when you reach your limit. Do they increase your rates? Cancel your policy? What are your options once you are unable to purchase this medication? Can you Dr give you any other med? Possibly the Drug supplier can "help" if you meet financial requirements.

Just some ideas.

[ravenwoodglass]

You need to contact the drug company, many have programs that can supply meds free or at lower cost. If the patent is about to run out on this drug you may also find it becomes much less expensive when they start marketing generic versions, however you need to check carefully if you do switch to generics as they can have different binders from the name brands.

[miles2go]

Thanks much for the great suggestions, gfgypsyqueen and ravenwoodglass. I'm in touch with the drug company on a monthly basis so, that's no problem and I appreciate the reminder regarding the generics and I'll call my HR peeps about the insurance limits, too.

On a side note, mini-trip report, I was at the American Folk Festival in Bangor last night wearing my green and while in the craft-vendors' tents came across what my friend knew as gaspeite, which I'd never heard of before. It's an apple-green, relatively rare mineral (I was with some true jewelry-heads) and imho is Gorgeous. Way to wear green all the time! Now I want some. Oh, also, smoked salmon on a stick and pakoras for food. The smoked salmon people couldn't attest to their Cajun spices being gluten-free; I thanked them for their honesty and bought the plain smoked salmon, soooooo good and the Indian folks were just as accomodating, but it cracks me up every time when I tell folks that I can't eat wheat and 97% of the time, they think I'm saying "weed" or "beef".

Margaret