Need meds, no presciption plan | ADHD Information

Share

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with ADHD in my early 30's (i'm 38 now) and had been taking ritalin with great success for a few years. Recently, my employer has dropped our presciption plan, although I still have healthcare coverage. Ritalin isn't cheap, and I have been doing research to find a way to somehow get a discount, but with little success. I have done so well on this medication, I was able to finish college and even made my way into grad school with a less than stellar gpa (thanks to years without diagnosis/medication). Now, in grad school, I carry a 3.92 gpa, am much more focused, organized, and am able to follow through on my work. I am still a student, however, and I cannot afford the 0-0 for 30 tablets. Does anyone have any suggestions? I appreciate any help you might be able to offer.

Hi Buffalo! And Welcome!!

I never understood how an employer could do something like drop their Rx plan, especially when ee's are already using it. If it was due to increases in the premiums, they may have at least seen is the employees were willing to pay into or pay more, if already contributing. Sucks!

Anyway, have you tried the clinic at your grad school? In the good old days, college/uni clinics were most helpful in receiving things like meds. Also, have you asked your doctor about samples they may be able to get?

This is the best I can do. But I'm sure some of the other great people on this Board will give you some more suggstions. Right guys?

Are you perhaps living in Buffalo, NY? I'm originally from Syracuse!

Good luck Buf!

 

I think Ritalin also comes in a genric form.  Generics are sometimes quite a bit cheaper.

I have a prescription for the generic form of Adderall and I'm very happy with it.  However, I don't really know the price difference because my prescription plan is pretty good.

Hi!

Yes, I live in Buffalo. I am going to a private college, and I am not sure if they even have a pharmacy on campus, but I will check into it. I hadn't yet asked my physician about samples, because my presciption coverage was only recently discontinued, and now I am scrambling about to find a solution, before I run out of my meds. I appreciate all your help!!!!

 

 

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]Hi Buffalo! And Welcome!!

I never understood how an employer could do something like drop their Rx plan, especially when ee's are already using it. If it was due to increases in the premiums, they may have at least seen is the employees were willing to pay into or pay more, if already contributing. Sucks!

Anyway, have you tried the clinic at your grad school? In the good old days, college/uni clinics were most helpful in receiving things like meds. Also, have you asked your doctor about samples they may be able to get?

This is the best I can do. But I'm sure some of the other great people on this Board will give you some more suggstions. Right guys?

Are you perhaps living in Buffalo, NY? I'm originally from Syracuse!

Good luck Buf!
[/QUOTE]

I will ask my physican about generics too, maybe that will help. I hadn't realized just how expensive ritalin was, yikes. Thank you yellow and i'm soooo happy to find other adults who "think" like I do. Makes all the difference in the world to know you aren't alone.

 

[QUOTE=yellowdog]

 

I think Ritalin also comes in a genric form.  Generics are sometimes quite a bit cheaper.

I have a prescription for the generic form of Adderall and I'm very happy with it.  However, I don't really know the price difference because my prescription plan is pretty good.

[/QUOTE] Buffalo does your name mean you live in the Buffalo area?  I do myself and have you tried  family health plus?  Also ask your doctor for samples they get them all the time, share with him/her your predicament.  I ask for samples all the time co-pays can send us to the poorhouse.You may also want to contact the drug company. (i.e. look on their web
site) and they usually have some sort of plan that you can get samples
from your dr. monthly if you have no prescription coverage.

Usually all it requires is a note from your dr. about your dx. and a form
from your employer proving you have no prescription coverage.

I'll look into it and re-post if I find something. Good Luck!

Ok--Just checked the Novartis site

http://www.novartis.com/corporate_citizenship/en/
access_to_medicine.shtml

They have a program called "patients access to medicines"--I couldn't
find out much more about it, but it does look like they provide free or
reduced cost meds to those without coverage.

I guess the best thing to do would be to contact them via the "Contact
Novartis" tab on the website...

Again, good luck!

Yoda

Yes, I live in Buffalo and I am a member of Family Health Plus however my employer will not compensate for the prescription coverage. You're right though, even the co-pays are pretty expensive. Thanks for your help!

[QUOTE=Jillette]Buffalo does your name mean you live in the Buffalo area?  I do myself and have you tried  family health plus?  Also ask your doctor for samples they get them all the time, share with him/her your predicament.  I ask for samples all the time co-pays can send us to the poorhouse.[/QUOTE]

Wow, thats great!! I am going to look into this program further.

Thank you!!!

 

[QUOTE=Yoda]Ok--Just checked the Novartis site

http://www.novartis.com/corporate_citizenship/en/
access_to_medicine.shtml

They have a program called "patients access to medicines"--I couldn't
find out much more about it, but it does look like they provide free or
reduced cost meds to those without coverage.

I guess the best thing to do would be to contact them via the "Contact
Novartis" tab on the website...

Again, good luck!

Yoda[/QUOTE]

If you live in Michigan, there's a prescription discount plan that's offered through the state. I'd pay the expense if I were you or try to find a way, it's better than losing your treatment. Also, have you talked to your doctor? Perhaps he can prescribe a generic brand or another medicine that is not so expensive.


I hope that it works out for you!

I have been going thru this just today with hubby's meds.  He takes a maintenance medication everyday for life and it is quite expensive.  I found out that thru Walgreens.com you can order a 90 day supply and save a hell of a lot of money.  And it's even cheaper if you are a self pay customer, no insurance. 

For example, a 90 day supply of meds for my hubby is 00 at any pharmacy give or take a few hundred.  I get it thru Walgreens mailorder for 4 generic.  I have checked all pharmacys too.  My other local was 0 generic.  Why such a difference in price, who knows.  All I know is that Walgreens is the cheapest for me.  Ritalin is controlled substance but they also mailorder monthly.  Check out there website if you haven't already. 

Hope things work out for you.

Before I ever bought any of my meds, my Dr. gave me samples.  Can you call your Dr. and explain to him and she/he can atleast help you out with some samples until you can figure out something else.  Is there a health department in your city.  Most colleges/universities have clinics and counselors that can help. Hope this helps. Also don't settle for the price your pharmacy gives you. Just because it is the closest to your home doesn't mean it has the best prices. When I lost my insurance I called all the pharmacies in my area. Turns out by doing a bit of research and driving 3 minutes further down the road I was able to save over 0 on my prescription. It's still more expensive then the - co-pay I had but with times being tough that saving makes a huge difference.