Pradaxa discounts?

[Perry78714]

My husband used the manufacturer 30 day a few years ago. We are both disabled SSDI. Medicare is primary and United is secondary health insurance.  His cardiologist gives us samples when available. Our AGI is < $6000. Our 40 year old mobile home is paid off, but the lot rent (lowest in 100 miles) is $350. We have nothing in savings $ no assets. 63 and 54 years old. I was disabled from my bank job in 1997 due to Multiple Sclerosis, his due to heart failure in 2007. With AFib, 2 heart attacks, 2 quad bypasses and a pacemaker in May our money goes straight to attempt to pay Rx, hospitals, doctors, labs and homecare. Our credit was ruined after the 2009 heart attack, our < $2000 in credit cards is always maxed and it's imperative for our CPAPs that we keep our electricity on. About $100 in summer, but it's a struggle constantly. We refuse to join the thousands of folks begging for $$$ on the streets here, and i work temp and event jobs whenever ambulatory but impossible during 100°+ weather. There are many Rx discount cards but i can't find one, or any program, that can reduce the $200 90 days that Caremark provides. Many apologies for this rambling long post, but I am determined to keep up with the Pradaxa that's eliminated the awful bleeding/bruising from Coumadin. He weighed 450 pounds when we met 7 years ago, and is now @ 230.....which he did with more exercise and better diet. Just put a YouTube up showing the dramatic  difference it's made, and it's scary that all that work can go down the drain without the med that's worked so well. If anyone knows of a discount card, we are in Texas Austin area and will greatly appreciate any info or ideas. Thank you for reading, and i again apologize for this post.

[littlegreenman1]

I don't begrudge any man to earn whatever he may... that being said, I don't pity his debt. He will make it back handsomely.

There's no motive for cost control in our system. There is only motive for profit. His malpractice goes up... he marks it up... passes it to insurance who marks it up... passes it to the policy holder.
Cost of a widget goes up... he marks it up... passes it to insurance who marks it up... passes it to the policy holder.
Cost of wages go up in the hospital... (who doesn't want a raise?)... they mark it up... pass it to insurance who marks it up... passes it to the policy holder.

It's an unsustainable circular feeding frenzy.

[Perry78714]

Many thanks for your time to reply, I'm not sorry that our pensions put us over the limits or that we were born here. When 2  people who say they'll never ever marry anyone meet, fall in love @ 58 & 47, i was diagnosed MS @ 18 yet not disabled til 35, knew when we met that his health was dismal and not expected to survive and I'd been homebound for a decade......we didn't expect to be alive very long. talk about the agony & joy we've had for almost 7 years no one expected. The roller coaster life is better than none and I'm very glad we're still going. his doctors are supportive and generous, I'm very articulate and spend hours every day contacting the manufacturer and reps on this. you never know everything and can always learn more, so this site or others just might have the answer. I've had to be strong, stubborn and determined my entire life (not expected to live more than a year after birth) and am ever grateful for the opportunity and chance to keep trying. We're all here for a reason and i know not to stop trying. Thank you again for being here and I hope you have a great weekend.

[Perry78714]

Thanks for your input & usually the truth is not sweet, i know. we are lucky to have insurance that requires 90 day scripts....it's pay for 2 month supply & get 1 month free. Neither of us would be alive now if the $400 paid each month for Medicare/United didn't exist, and that's a bargain compared to other couples. He should have been dead 10 years before we met & happen to live where so many world class doctors choose to relocate. I'm grateful to get to clean bathrooms and stadiums for the millionaires that like F1 races, and all the visitors for football games, concerts and festivals. I'd been crippled in a wheelchair, barely functional 5 years ago when a fund covered the $20,000 monthly cost of the 3rd disease modifying multiple sclerosis drug for me since the others made me too sick to be. If he could've stayed on Coumadin he would have, but due to other health conditions and 2 months ICU they said no more & countless other meds failed, hello Pradaxa. Again thanks for responding......just doing my best to get as many ideas as possible, am very appreciative for this forum. Hope you have a safe and sparkly July 4th.

[Jerry_NJ]

Your descriptions sounds more like the politicians in Washington who spend our tax dollars and use insider information to "beat the system" in the private sector.

My son is just this June beginning his practice as a Critical Care Anesthesiologist following more than 10 years as a medical student (this is time after a MS in Physical Therapy), residency and fellowship programs.  He owns 100's of thousands of dollars and is still driving his 15 year old car.  Yes, he is beginning to earn high wages, do you suppose he may have earned them?  I'm sure he and other doctors have done much more and continue to do more volunteer work that is needed than most of us.  

As a senior on Medicare and Private Insurance (catastrophic coverage only) my hope is our current system survives the onslaught from Washington which will, like in other countries, limit coverage for us old folks who are not worth the cost, costs now covered by Medicare.

Again, the USA offers Medicaid and I fear by many who should not be dipping into our debt funding, many are not even citizens of this country... every try to get medical attention in another country?  Better have iron clad coverage or do without.

The post of this thread sounds like a deserving case for Medicaid which does not require liquidation of all one's living accommodations.  Again, food stamps may be a path to free up some additional income for medical needs.

I take Warfarin and have for 15 year, it works for me, but it appears not for the subject of this thread.  And yes, Medicare pays the full cost of my blood coagulation tests.  I pay for the Warfarin at a bit less than $60 per year.

[littlegreenman1]

I'm sorry to say it, but this is America and everybody in Health Care (providers, lawyers, suppliers, insurance, all of 'em) needs a Porsche, fast airplane, sailboat and a McMansion on a golf course. If you can't help provide that to them... you're out.

Even if you get on a Health Exchange for a Part B supplement, a tight budget and co-pays is not going to work for you if you're fighting to pay sub $500 rent and power.

He's going to have to take Warfarin. It's $40/ year. Medicare should cover the Coumadin Clinic visits.

I'm sorry to be salty in the paragraphs above. I have nothing against you I am sincerely sorry that, in this, the richest country in the world - you can work your entire life... provide for your family, never take a hand out and die bankrupt because you caught cancer or have bad coronary DNA. ( My dad died @ age 61 from arteriosclerosis. )

[Jerry_NJ]

Check with Social Security on Medicare Bard D, I think it is, to see if that can save you $$ on the anticoagulant.  Also contact the drug company to see if they offer any programs to folks who are short of funds.  Too, check with you local and federal social services (I don't know the contact beyond Social Security - that general number may be able to give you advice on other agences) and there is Medicade - you may qualify for that.. and food stamps, from what I hear there is a big effort to be sure everyone eligible is covered.   I think many of these programs are abused, but you story sounds to me like real need.  

Good luck.