Englishmum

Jeez.....it's starting to become a grim situation for many people (who thought they had good health insurance coverage) if they need expensive drugs for ailments such as rheumatoid arthiritis, multiple sclerosis and some cancers as it seems that some of the companies are increasing the co-pays when the drugs are dispensed at the pharmacies:


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/us...o_interstitial

(I wonder whatever happened to the Glaswegian woman Lesley who used to post here and lived in TN? She developed MS and was on some experimental drugs I seem to recall. She got married and had a baby girl, but I don't know when she last posted here?)

Duncan Roberts

Yup. Although not as bad as some one of my prescriptions went from $90 for 90 pills to $160 in January.

jumping doris

I have just read the article . It is really quite scary. I just don't know how people afford to be ill here and I hope I never find out!

Jerseygirl

I think it's something most Brits worry about...including us.

ugacrew

Duncan, are these brand scripts that you are given? Has your doctor looked for alternatives other than what's been advertised for your condition(s)? There's a trend for doctors to prescribe the latest thing they've been pushed by the pharmaceutical sales industry. This is one of the things that also lead to senior citizens being faced with high drug costs on meds they shouldn't be one. Believe it or not your doctor is not really educated on the wide variety of medications that are available to treat conditions. There are times where they get checked by pharmacists because doctors prescribe several meds to a patient that create contraindications within the drug cocktail. I'd look into the meds you are taking and see if there are cheaper alternatives that your drug plan will cover at a higher rate. Of course you might be on a script that can't be changed like I am. My highest costing med has a $15 copay but there is a $4 med out there that works just as well but makes me feel crappy. Go out and do your homework and don't be the target of a trend in prescribing.

fatbrit

Have you tried Canada? Somebody even posted a link to an OZ pharmacist the other day? Sometimes they're cheaper than the co-pay. The Canadian one I use has a money back guarantee if CBP sieze the shipment -- haven't had to see if they're good on their word yet!

Lord Lionheart

Not to worry, this will all be magically cleared up Jan 2009 when Hilary or Obama take office

ugacrew

Yeah, because we know they are the first two candidates not owned by the pharmaceutical industry

Ray

I remember her ...that was a few years back ..can't remember her user name though..

fatbrit

Leslie/Lesley and summat.

Ray

may have been a number ...

leslie 1020

Yup http://britishexpats.com/forum/member.php?u=22415

fatbrit

Wasn't she a real estate paralegal or something like that? Was trying for labor cert but got scared she'd not make it and married instead.

Ray

Something like that .. you seemed to have been posting even last year ...
I though i was much longer

frrussre

We have insurance through my wife. In NYC, we paid $10 co-pays, that was it, infact because my wife worked with the doctors, they did not take the co-pay. I'm shocked, since living in FL, our med expenses for tax year 2007, was $7800. Woe. Think 08 will be more, co-pays went up to $45, scripts are up, employee contribution is up.
She just had, some spider veins injected, $550 (50 minutes in the office). Nowt from insurance because she went out of network. Whoops, there is no network cover for spider veins.
Reg. Frank R.

ugacrew

Yeah and you're wife must be pissed now that you've listed her treatment. Men...