4 replies to this topic

[Jblackpt]

Hey, I am new to this forum. Ive been dealing with N (without cataplexy, but with halluinations) for about a year now. I am 26 years old and recently fell off of my parents group healthcare plan. I switched to the COBRA extension plan but cannot afford the $900 a month premium. I cannot afford this on my smaller self-employed income. I keep getting denied for every single application for private health care. Even when I ask them to exclude coverage for narcolepsy, I still get denied. (Also it became very evident to me that even insurance underwriters have no earthly idea what narcolepsy is or what it means, but that's for another topic). I have not been without health insurance for 6 months and I do not fall at or below the national poverty level, so I do not qualify for govt assisted health programs or medication plans (from what I can tell). I have been trying to ration out my medication and today I fell asleep at the wheel due to not a high enough dose of nuvigil (been cutting my nuvigil 250mg in half) and almost flipped the car. My focalin XR for midday has completely run out. I know my best bet is probably to pay out of pocket for my meds right now because rationing clearly isn't working. My questions are: Has anyone else dealt with situations like this? Does anyone know of a way to get medicine for cheap if paying out of pocket? Does anyone know how to get private health insurance while havinv N? Does anyone know of cheaper meds? Thanks in advance! Any feedback is good feedback!

[DeathRabbit]

From what I know of the cost of nuvigil, paying out of pocket for it would be as expensive as the COBRA. The focalin, I think I can help you out. My doctor gave me a coupon that made my first year of focalin XR free. Apparently the pharmaceutical reps give them out. So I would try to get my hands on one of those.

[Bunny0726]

Have you tried going to http://www.hrsa.gov/...re/index.html?  From the site, it says you may be eligible for Hill-Burton reduced-cost care if your income is as much as two times (triple for nursing home care) the HHS Poverty Guidelines.  Here's the link to find out more/apply for Hill-Burton reduced-cost care http://www.hrsa.gov/...on/index.html.  You may also want to check out this site to see if there are http://findahealthce...Search_HCC.aspx HRSA Health Centers near you...you pay based on what you can afford.  And with implementation of the Affordable Care Act, you should have more options starting in 2014 (with state health insurance exchanges having open enrollment beginning this October...which I know doesn't help you right now).  Check out http://www.healthcar...oyed/index.html for more info (I liked to the self-employed section, though you may want to hunt around in case that status changes).

 

Also, have you checked out the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at http://www.pparx.org/en?  I can't get you more specific information since you have to enter some details about where you live and the medications you take, but it could be worth checking out.

[Jblackpt]

Thank you so much! Both of you!

[munky]

Nuvigil has a prescription discount/co-pay card they give out. I got one from my doctor, when I got my first prescription. If the doctor who gave you the prescription doesn't have them, you should be able to get one online at http://www.nuvigil.c...UVIGILFree.aspx.