Help/Advice

[1234lisa]

Hello, my daughter's father was recently terminated from employment.  His insurance has been cancelled and the cost of her medical supplies is over $500.  Does anyone out there know of any emergency help with the cost of her supplies or even free medication until im able to get insurance for her?  I've already submitted application for medicaid but the process doesnt happen overnight, so i'm looking for help in the meantime.  Thank you!!!

[mspmom]

I read somewhere that you can contact the pharmaceutical company for assistance.  It is worth a try!!
Good Luck

[overman81]

Below is some information that can get him started.

Supplies Together Access -1-800-444-4106 or www.togetheraccess.com
Can approve over the phone immediately and provide discount for supplies.

Programs for Medications - Needy Meds: 978-865-4115  or www.needymeds.org
Provide information on programs that offer free medication or medication at a discount.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: 1-888-477-2669

[tadurkee]

Novo-Nordisk will supply her with insulin and glucagen, but only if she does not qualify for Medicaid. http://www.novonordisk-us.com/documents/article_page/document/Patient_Assistance_DBM.asp

In most states, if she is under 18 she will qualify for assistance with very small ($10 in Michigan) monthly premiums if your family income is low enough and you have no other insurance coverage. This will certainly be your best option and hopefully you can get her covered under your state program quickly.

In the meantime, if she uses a pump, contact her pump company area rep right away to see if he/she can temporarily supply her with infusion sets. These would be "samples" that could be dropped off at her doctor's office. My son uses the Animas 2020 and gets his infusion sets this way. Unfortunately, the rep is not allowed to give away the cartridges, but they are much less expensive than the infusion sets and Animas gives a discount for those without insurance.

My best advice for testing strips is eBay. I have not found any glucose test strip company that offers discounts for the uninsured, but you will find many brands of test strips on eBay for 50% (or greater) off the normal price. Just be sure to buy unopened boxes only and always check the expiration dates. I've had good experiences buying my son's strips this way since he turned 21 and no longer qualified for Medicaid. He uses the One Touch Ultra, which normally sell for $1 per strip, but I can usually buy them for about .35 per strip on eBay.

Your situation is being duplicated every minute across this country. More and more families are finding themselves in your exact predicament and it will only get much worse before it gets better, which is exactly why we need a national healthcare plan, or at the very least, a STRONG public option. Please contact your 2 senators and your congressperson and IMPLORE them to support the strongest possible healthcare and health reform bills. We, in this country, need to join the rest of the cilvilized world in providing comprehensive health care at an affordable price to ALL of it's citizens. Health care IS a right, and should NOT just be for the wealthy and privileged.