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605458 tn?1539228808

It's ruined, so I quit

Well, the lady who I was referred to by social security to help me find a Medicare prescription plan and supplemental for office visits called back . . . the two that were my options were about the same, helpful only slightly for about 3 months and then I have to pay $900 a month for my meds -- just the meds, not the premium, not the premium for the other things either. THAT IS HOW MUCH THE MEDS COST WITHOUT ANY INSURANCE! She said Medicare plans are only good for people who are on inexpensive meds and since I have to be on premium drugs because I don't tolerate the regular - Seroquel XR and Lithobid - and I can't tolerate the alternatives, I've been on them over the years, and I don't tolerate them. I get too much SSDI to qualify for Medicaid.
So, there is no way I can move out on my own and I was SO looking forward to it. The other reason I don't qualify for more help is because I get too much SSDI $1700/month but still it wouldn't be enough to pay rent, utilities, etc AND $900 for meds. So I am TRAPPED in this toxic environment with someong that doesn't want me in their home because I have nowhere else to go.
So I quit. I quit bipolar. I'm not taking the meds and I'm not going pay attention all day, every day. I will just live like everyone else. That is my protest and I don't care what happens. I am sick of trying my hardest and doing my part and getting crapped on for it.
14 Responses
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Avatar universal
You don't call using Canadian Pharmacies cheaper when in the US my Geodon cost $1500 a month when I could get generic Geodon for about $600 for 3 mths? What pharmacy were you using???
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
I looked it up and that was an older document. I believe the Medicaid Buy in was signed into law in your state recently. You can spend down the assets you have below the limit and find a (very minor, on the books) part time job beforehand. If you have any more questions best to PM me as its not generally a good idea to detail finances on a public thread. If the Medicaid Buy in is not a possibility the Patient Assistance Program that is getting the medication covered through the company might be. Just don't give up. These programs were created for people who don't meet up with the criteria for various benefits.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Penelope Ann,

I'm so sorry for what you are going through.  All I can say is that bureaucracy can be extremely discouraging.  Sometimes I think it's set-up to make things so difficult it discourages people from pursuing what they are entitled to.  So don't give up!  Keep fighting.   There must be a way!  
Helpful - 0
605458 tn?1539228808
I'm just so exhausted with this.
Helpful - 0
605458 tn?1539228808
It MUST be extended release Lithium. I know they have generic, just as long as it is extended release. I cannot tolerate regular lithium. I was just at my dr for the super rapid cycling and mixed states. She's out of town & I had to see someone who didn't really know me. She increased my Seroquel, whiched helped with the rapid cycling and irritability and the mania, but now I am flat and depressed. I am mostly PISSED OFF. I try to explain to these groups and whatnot that I need someone to help with processing information. I have a small threshold and then my brain turns completely off. I can't seem to find one person, like a caseworker, or whatever, that can help guide me. I keep getting suggested, led, and sent to all the same agencies over and over and they all say the same thing. Tell me, what other options are there?
Helpful - 0
605458 tn?1539228808
I'm looking at Medical Assistance for Employed Persons Disabilities. Here is one thing that disqualifies me. This is from a proposed bill so I don't even know if my state has this. I have money in the bank. I live with my mom and stepdad now and we are not in poverty. Now, if I moved out on my own, yeah, I'd be in poverty, but I want everything in place BEFORE I move out so there are no surprises. I shouldn't have to purposely put myself in a severe poverty where I have signed a lease for an apartment, dumped the insurance I get through my stepdad, just to see if I qualify for help. They should be able to say that, yes, when you do this, you will be in that poverty place. I saved money on purpose to pay for emergency situations. Because I did that and have more than $1000 in the bank right now, I don't qualify. I should just go spend it all on ****.

Specifies that an individual's personal assets cannot exceed
$1,000, while a couple's assets cannot exceed $2,000;
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It might be a good idea to research Canadian pharmacies online, but check out to see how long they've been around.  Meds in Canada aren't cheap either, I still make too much on Long term to qualify for complete converage for my meds, especially my GERD med. I've had to drop down to one that doesn't work as well, but at a higher dose, it's costs me now, 25/month rather then 100+ a month. I'm on Plan G here, that covers most psych drugs, except 2 I'm on. grrr, I still have 50% co-pay and  I have to spend 1k on my meds before full coverage, so I won't get it for another 3 months. It's frustrating.
I know in the US there are some drug companies that help with meds as well.
Lithobid aka Lithium is a dirt cheap drug, it really is.  I've even looked online from canadian online stores, 400mgs @ 100 capsules is 59 bucks. - its a drug that's been around so long and you can get generic.  I think you've worked yourself up, you need to calm down and look at all of your options.  You could even go on a higher dose, which would help both the depression and the hypo. Talk to your doctor!
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
Everywhere I've worked I've always disclosed my disability but at this point its physical and obvious so there's no choice for me. Its up to you whether to disclose your disability or not. I would not reccomend it before you are hired because some businesses could turn you down and then say "we found someone else". Its best to disclose it at the time that you are hired to your supervisors only if you need reasonable accomodations. If you do need a reasonable accomodation you have to disclose it then. Here's some information on the Medicaid Buy In for Working People with Disabilities:
http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/medicaid_buy_in.htm
Helpful - 0
605458 tn?1539228808
Yeah, but at least I'll get a break from it all. I'd rather be unaware of my rotten situaiton than so hyper aware of it.
Helpful - 0
605458 tn?1539228808
ILADVOCATE so the buy in for working people is available for people who have to use Medicare and don't qualify for Medicaid? What does it do? You get Medicaid? I just asked Social Security how much I can earn without losing my benefits and they said for 9 months I can earn up to $940 but then it is evaluated and if they see it as gainful employment I lose disability. I wanted to be able to work a little bit, if just to get out and about more, you know a therapeutic thing, but I now have to consider it as a way to pay for meds.

I already went to the independent living people. That group helps low income and people with disabilities get housing, jobs, resources, to get them independent, but when I came they just shook their head. I get too much money for their help, not enough to help myself.

Just this is too overwhelming. Trying to find a tiny amount of employment would probably put me over the edge. I was wanting to save it for when I was settled in, living on my own. See, I can handle so much information. It addles my brain. I never got full functioning after the ECT and Topomax.

Do the people you work for, your job, do they know you are disabled?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was in the same spot as you. Between a rock and a hard space. You might look into getting your meds from Canada. I cut my almost $2k a month med cost here considerably and if you can get your dr to write 3mths at once it will save you more. I was able to take generics of the meds that I was on that aren't even offered here in the US. Please don't stop taking your meds suddenly or at all! You will end up far off than you are now. Ask the dr for samples, sometimes they can keep you supplied. Good luck
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
Most states have the Medicaid Buy In for Working People with Disabilities. If a person is over the limit for Medicaid due to SSDI it enables them to qualify. They can do very minor part time work (as I said, an hour a month) to qualify that won't detract from their ability to keep SSDI. Independent living centers are run by and for people with disabilities and advocate for housing, benefits and vocational issues. If the Medicaid Buy in for Working People with Disabilities exists in your state they could tell you how to apply for it and what agencies could help people with disabilities find work that could help them qualify but still keep SSDI. I am in the same situation with the exact same benefits as you described and that's why I do some minor part time telecommuting to keep my Medicaid through the Medicaid Buy in for Working People with Disabilities. Its a great option. Enough agencies don't inform people about it though.
Helpful - 0
605458 tn?1539228808
I don't qualify for Medicaid, would have to be Medicare -- get too much SSDI. When I first signed up for SSDI and Medicaid, we did the work for a little bit. My mom gave a note that she would pay me so much for pet care a week. But as I said, I don't qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, help with $ for housing because of how much I get from SSDI a month.
What is a local independent living center? I went to a center that helps low income people find and pay for housing and be independent. They told me I get too much money for $ help.
"There are still other options such as getting coverage through the company ("Patient Insurance Plan") for the medication" - What company?
I have been to Social Security, talked to the Medicare advocate, been to the center for low income people to become independent, applied for Medicaid & food stamps & supplemental income etc, I have also been to family services and social services. I am either referred to one of the other places I have listed or told I get too much SSDI for assistance.
So who do I go to who does know of the other options?
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
There are still other options such as getting coverage through the company ("Patient Insurance Plan") for the medication and the Medicaid Buy In for Working People with Disabilities (you could work as little as an hour a month and qualify). There might be other options as well as regards benefits. Definitely you should not stop medication. You could find out more at your local independent living center as I listed. Medicare and Social Security are only the agencies that provide those specific benefits. They don't know of the other options and often don't advise people.
Helpful - 0
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