I'm supposed to start a new drug for the brain tumors, and they haven't delivered it yet. I thought it was weird I couldn't just pick it up like all my other pills, Walgreens kept calling me to arrange delivery for security purposes (thats what I thought anyway). So today they finally call again and get my wife. Turns out I don't have have it because I have to pay $1500.00 a month co pay for it. Thats after my 2 policys kick in. I can't afford that for very long. I don't know what to do. I still have my fucking cars for sale, which of course aren't selling (like everything else). I dropped the prices, no luck.
This is fucking bullshit, I just cannot win. $1500 a month?!?!? How many people can really afford that? No wonder cancer kills every fucking person it touches. If it isn't the disease itself its the cost or availablity of treatment.
I start collecting SSi disablity next month sometime, which just barely covers my monthly bills. I thought I'd be OK on it, till now. Even if I sell my cars I can't cover the meds very long (relatively speaking).
I just wanna cry, its just so unfair. Fucking pharmaceutical co's, greedy fucks.
Sorry, just had to rant. No point to it, unless someone wants to buy my car (hint hint).
I think what little positive attitude I had left just flew out the window. I'm just beside myself. WTF am I gonna do? I'm sitting here looking at my 4 year old and trying to fight back tears. Fuck my life. Fuck this bullshit.
It sucks to be in need for such a drug, and all that I can offer is that I know that you could possibly contact the drug company and explain your situation. I have heard of drug companies providing discounts for those who may be in the spot that you are in.
Most pharmaceutical manufacturers have patient assistance programs that provide medications either free or at a reduced cost for people who qualify for their program. As a general matter, people who qualify have too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to be able to afford health insurance.
The criteria vary from company to company and each company has its own distinct application process. With some companies, you are not allowed to submit your own application. The application may have to go through your doctor. With some companies, be prepared to complete lengthy financial forms.
Once your application is approved, you will usually receive a three month supply at a time. Some companies renew your prescription automatically. Others make you start from scratch. To make things even more confusing, companies periodically may also change their rules.
If your prescription is not covered by a patient assistance program, or even if you don't meet the requirements of a particular program, contact the manufacturer anyhow. The company may make an exception, particularly if you are persistent. If you can get some publicity about your situation, so much the better. Pharmaceutical companies are particularly aware of their public image.
To help you find a patient assistance program, there are lists of the programs, as well as groups that will not only help you find an appropriate program, but also to help you through the application process.
TO LOCATE PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Free Directories of Patient Assistance Programs are available as follows:
* The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) sponsors Prescription Assistance Program | offsite link, Tel.: 888.477.2669 which lists the eligibility requirements of the pharmaceutical companies' various patient assistance programs. It also offers a free directory of patient assistance programs which can be viewed online at PHRMA - Home offsite link. You may also contact PhRMA to request the current Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs. Write to: PhRMA Public Affairs Division, 1100 15th St., NW, Suite 900, Washington D.C., 20005. or call Tel.: 800 762 4636 or 202. 835.3400
* A free directory is available at Prescription Assistance Program | offsite link, Tel.: 800.762.4636.
* A listing of programs is available at NeedyMeds - a non profit organization:: NeedyMeds offsite link
* The federal government lists patient assistance programs through Medicare.gov - The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare offsite link. Click on prescription drug assistance programs.
ASSISTANCE IN FINDING AND APPLYING TO A PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
To help find a program for which you may qualify, consider:
* Free Medicine Program has as a stated goal to find the appropriate Patient Assistance Program(s) for you. It also helps guide you in the application process. There is a fee of $5.00 for each medication, which is refundable if they don't find you free drugs. www.freemedecineprogram.org offsite link Tel.: 800.921.0072
* The Medicine Program will do the research for you, forward the documents you need, and assist in obtaining the drugs for $5.00 per application. Free Health Dictionary ? Free Health Benefits: prescription, medical, dental plans offsite link Tel.: 573. 996.7300.
* medicinebridge.com offsite link for a set up and monthly fee, will:
o Help you identify the free medicines you qualify for and the appropriate pharmaceutical companies which manufacture them.
o Complete the paperwork for you and your doctor.
o Review your paperwork before submitting it.
o Keep you updated with your free medicine refill and ensure your on-going refill paperwork for free medicine is done far enough in advance for you to receive your free medicine refills so that there are no gaps in your medicines.
o Keep up with changing eligibility requirements.
* IPS :: Bringing Services Together offsite link, IPS (formerly Indigent Patient Services), a division of Clinical Communications, Inc., charges a one time registration fee of $25 ($40 for couples) no matter how many drugs you need. IPS:
o Helps complete the paper work.
o Do the follow up with the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies.
o Help with refills for a cost of $20 per application per refill.
* Rx Outreach Patient Assistance Program for Discount Prescription Drugs offsite link is a patient assistance program that provides more than 50 FDA approved generic medicines. A three month supply costs $18; a 6 month supply costs $30.
* FreeMedicineFoundation helps locate free drugs for a cost of $5.00 per prescription Free Medication As seen on Montel Williams patient assistance programs 1-573-996-3333 offsite link.
Check this link out to see if your medicine could be offered through Patient Assistance:
There are also resources for specific diseases -
Brain tumors: NeedyMeds
So - get cracking. turn over every rock for assistance. Kick some ass. Get someone at the pharmacy / doctor's office / high up at Walgreen's on YOUR SIDE and working FOR YOU.
Do it. NOW.
__________________
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body totally worn out and screaming ~ WOO HOO what a ride!
maybe as some of our resident conservatives that dont want health care reform what they would do. sorry for the rant, but I hear you and its too bad our health care system is what it is.
maybe as some of our resident conservatives that dont want health care reform what they would do. sorry for the rant, but I hear you and its too bad our health care system is what it is.
Sorry Sam, not trying to turn this political. In reality you would probably be even more screwed under a universal system. Your medicine may be paid for, but it may take a year before you see a dr to get approved for your medicine.
Sam - my name is Sonny Stone. I'm a Viper owner in Ontario. I have been following a Canadian company for 12 years called Oncolytics Biotech oncolyticsbiotech. com . (I sent you a similar message a while ago through the Alley email - don't know if you got it.) They have an extraordinary cancer treatment trial record in Phase I and II and are now preparing Phase III pivotal trials. They use a naturally occuring strain of the Reovirus and it's particularly effective in several cancers especially metastatic. Virtually no side effects. The Reovirus kills and replicates in cancerous cells only - leave normal cells alone. There are dozens of trials worldwide, including the USA. In certain cases, particularly cancer with a K-RAS mutation (your oncologist will know about this) the remission and stable cases are way, WAY beyond anything the medical community has ever seen. They are also using it in combo studies with chem and radio therapies.
Please look into Reolysin. The NCI is all over it now, very involved in the studies.
The trial sites are listed on their website.
Any Illness in canada is dealt with it prompt fasion. Just because ours does not cost anything does not mean you have to wait for ever to get treatment. its a myth, i have known many people with cancer, when it was noticed they were dealt with swiftly. As with any thing some made it, some did not...
I don't know you Sam, but as a cancer survivor from hodgkins lymphoma, stage 4b, (diagnosed age 22, considered remission at age 24, 5 years before I am considered free of this scare) and being not able to afford my co pays for such care ( 130k alone from the hospital was due after I left). The best way to find help is as JT suggested, find all the outside assistance you can, There are different 'cancer societies' out their for different conditions that can offer tremendous help. You have to look for them, they won't come to you. I learned to apply with every program you can find, it doesnt hurt to get rejected because another one accepted you, time is everything. get on it!
Sam sorry to hear about that it sucks but I would follow what JT said DON"T GIVE UP.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dansauto
maybe as some of our resident conservatives that dont want health care reform what they would do. sorry for the rant, but I hear you and its too bad our health care system is what it is.
Maybe some of you that don't know what you are talking about can explain the back room deal Obama made with the drug companies? Oh wait it's just the big bad insurance companies that are the problem
maybe as some of our resident conservatives that dont want health care reform what they would do. sorry for the rant, but I hear you and its too bad our health care system is what it is.
Well, if you want to inject political bullshit in this thread where the guy actually needs some help and comfort then how about I one-up your trashy disrepectful ass. Let me ask you if you are ok with every long term member on VA paying his monthly co-pay, starting with you first?
You up for that? Sound good? The money has got to come from somewhere, might as well be you first as you believe in that process. We will fall in line if you go ahead and do it.
Come on, I won't even take credit, start it up! Get everything together needed to have everyone pay for his stuff. He is in need. You shouldn't be greedy. Set by example.
The funny thing is that friends, family, churches, neighborhoods, townships, charities, and small orgranization communities (such as VA) SHOULD be the ones to help those in need and NOT the society public in general as you want to happen. So having VA members paying in fact would be the conservative answer.
Still don't give a shit? Still won't stand by your beliefs? Still won't commit to the very plans you like that you want to force all of society to follow? How about this... I know it's not much, but if you can get 10 members to commit $1,500 a piece then I'll be the 11th member. And you can take all the credit you want, cause I care about doing the right things and not just boasting about taking credit or that someone had the right idea or not. PUT YOUR FUCKING MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND GROW A HEART INSTEAD OF JUST WANTING TO BE RIGHT.
Insurance companies are horrible. Sam, you have shown remarkable strength so far and you can continue to fight this with everything you've got. You have a strong heart and a wonderful family to live for which can bring you the strength and will to beat this. My thoughts are with you.
Sam hang in there buddy. Within the link Richie posted up, there was specific information about cancer patients and here is the link for that. CancerCareCopay.org
Seems like a good place to start. Let me know if I can do any of the leg work for you. I can send emails and make phone calls to see who can help you. I know this is all so overwhelming and just within this thread there is a ton of information. Financially I wish I could step up like Kaiser said in his post, but since I can't, I'm willing to help out in other ways. You have my email so let me know what I can do to help.
I will look into those options asap. I do have a max out of pocket BUT it doesn't apply to meds, just everything else, which is great because my doctor bills would be unbearable. I have 2 policys, but they don't allow both to cover prescriptions, again just doctor bills.
I went to my "training class" for the new drug today, the side effects are pretty rough sounding. Basically like chemo. The side effects are problems I am already struggling with, fatigue, weakness, stomach upset, etc. I won't be able to walk if it gets worse, I swear.
Walgreens delivers the first dosage Friday. Shit better be delivered by 5 naked supermodels dancing on my front goddamn lawn.
So anyhow, while we await dansauto for a response and give him an opportunity to help or take some credit does is anyone else interested in helping him out? I'm sure some of you have some experience in organizing some charity event either large or small that we can get into... Unfortunately about the only time I have free is far and few between, so I'm stuck with monetary donation.
Awaiting landline conversation with Sam now to help, that may be forthcoming on aspect of post. Cannot post details....
On another note, here is my proposal:
Raffle his car off online, $40 tickets, 3 tickets for $100, # of tickets sold is LIMITED to 1000. All proceeds go to Sam, I can pay for any administration costs and handle all finances and deposited into Sam's account as they come in. Car and title stays with Sam, this will be all sold online, drawing is held in front of 3 people that we all trust and know, I can be part of it and can travel and I will run it and not buy any tickets so not as to have any shadow cast over me personally. This is of course with Sam's approval, just an idea that JID and I came up with together. His car is BAD ASS too and will gross $30-$40K with a projected revenue of $33K or so. tickets go out, documented and are only valid after being paid for and money is in kitty. Drawing to be held in 45 days from the day Sam approves. Sam's Blown Streetable
Camaro
__________________
2005 Viper, Vert, DLM SE #27/50, Paxton 946 RWHP
2000 Viper GTS, 10 LB Roe+GG heads/intake+Solid Roller
1968 GTO 467 CID Ported, Roller, 5-speed
2008 Grand Cherokee, 3" OME Lift, armored and winched. BURNED TO THE GROUND
2000 E350 Van with a ZILLION miles
WANTED: TT build build Lambo to buy
"The Dems are allying themselves with a hostile foreign power, publicly and boldly. That is treason by any definition" BlackSnake99
Last edited by BAD68GTO; September 9th, 2009 at 10:20 PM.
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