My doctor is SO cool! Giving me a month's supply of a med I need.

[SeattleGirl]

I lost my insurance coverage several months ago, because I didn't have enough work for full-time status (I'm working my way back up there). Most of the meds I have to take are manageable as far as how much they cost, but the doc put me on a cholesterol medication that costs $130 for 30 pills. I bought them last month, but I just flat out can't afford them this month. So I called the doctor's office, and they are giving me a month's supply of samples to get me through this month. I should be able to afford to buy them next month, but it's great that the doc is helping me this month.

Yes, I know that the doctors get buried in samples from the drug companies, but still, it's something I appreciate a lot.

[malta blue]

1. My doc supplies me with all my meds

since I simply can't afford to get them. Even with the insurance, it is a $30 co-pay for each one, and I have 2 asthma meds and one for cholesterol.

Docs who help this way are the best!

[SeattleGirl]

4. That's so great, malta

And those kinds of docs ARE the best!

[ThomCat]

11. That is awesome.

I found that I paid a total of $3,000 out of pocket for healthcare last year even with good insurance. If I earned less or lost my job I have no idea how I'd survive the year. Doctors as generous as yours are rare. I'm sure he/she has to work at it a bit to always have the right samples available. It's great that your doctor will do this.

[skygazer]

2. That's very cool

I had a doc who would do this and I always appreciated it so much. I'm glad you have a good doc who takes care of you. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

5. I'm glad too.

Hopefully my hours will get back to full time soon, and I can get my insurance again, but in the meantime, it's very nice that my doc was willing to do this.

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. Mine's been doing this for three years

Every so often, after she gives me the samples she'll say, "That's about $500 worth of meds." But she hates the HMOs and pharm companies as much as anybody, so I just grin and say "Thanks, Myrt."

[SeattleGirl]

6. Myrt is one cool doc, OR!

Good for her! (And good for you too, since you are the beneficiary of said coolness.)

[sendero]

7. My doctors gives me free samples..

.. whenever he can. Lots of doctors understand how the game is rigged, and they know that they and patients are getting screwed.

[SeattleGirl]

13. That's great, sendero.

She gave me samples of the expensive stuff when she first wanted me to start taking it. I had no idea how much it was going to cost until I went to pick of the prescription the next month. When I picked it up, and the pharmacist said, "That'll be $130", I damned near cried! So today I called the doc and said, "Help!", and she did.

[grannylib]

8. So glad you were able to get what you need! I got samples last weekend

of an expensive migraine med, and was SO grateful...

:woohoo: for your doctor!

[SeattleGirl]

14. Woohoo!

And for your doctor too! :woohoo:

[liberaltrucker]

9. My doc does that with my meds when it's deductible time

Hi from Ellensburg!!!

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

15. Ellensburg!!! You're getting close!

When are you going to be hitting Seattle?

[liberaltrucker]

20. I deliver just off I 5 exit 163B at 8 Thur morning

Keeping fingers X'ed!

:bounce:

[SeattleGirl]

22. That is not too far from me.

Gimme a call when you're done with your delivery!

[ThomCat]

10. That is a cool doctor.

One my my meds is $4 per pill. I haven't had to get samples yet, but my doctor said to let her know it if becomes an issue. You have to love cool doctors.

[SeattleGirl]

16. $4 a pill? Yikes!

Bless your doc, for offering to help out by giving you samples when/if you need them.

[grannylib]

21. Try $12 each for Imitrex...and that's just the 50 mg...wonder how much the

100s are...yikes
Nothing like a $48 headache. What fun.

[SeattleGirl]

23. Damn! That's enough to GIVE you a headache!

:cry:

[grannylib]

24. *lol* it sure is...

[Broken_Hero]

12. sweet...:) nt

[SeattleGirl]

17. Yep!

Very sweet!

[reyd reid reed]

18. That's awesome...

I hate that drugs have gotten so expensive...it's just wrong. If you need it, you need it and it should be available...and at a reasonable cost.

I'm so glad you've got a doctor who understands and is willing to help out.

:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

19. So am I, rrr.

She told me I need to be on this med, and it's great that when I told her I couldn't afford it this month, she made sure I was still able to get it.

And I'm with you about the drug companies. Frankly, I think it is unethical and immoral that they are traded on the stock exchange. I have absolutely nothing against companies making money, as long as people are not being unduly harmed by it, but you know that with any company that is publicly traded, the "bottom line" and the stockholders hold the biggest sway. In my opinion, that is the primary reason that drugs cost so much money, that and advertising. Yes, it costs money to do research, but I know they spend far more on other stuff than they do on that.

[NMMNG]

25. Mine does that sometimes for my migraine meds

My insurance only covers two abortive triptan meds. Relpax isn't covered and it works better for me than any of the others so whenever I go in she gives me a handful of samples. I use them when I have a really bad one and the others when the migraines are milder.

I must say I can't complain too much about my insurance though. Today I got $1440 worth of medications and paid only $67.75 for them. I'd be lost without the insurance. :scared:

[SeattleGirl]

26. Buffy baby, that is so cool!

Bless your doc for helping you out. You do not need to suffer through unnecessary pain because you don't have tons of money falling out of your purse.

[NMMNG]

27. Yes, those triptans can be outrageous

My Maxalt MLT (the formulation that melts on your tongue) is about $17.65 per tablet. Without the bulk discount the insurance company gets it's around $25 a tablet (my friend was recently told that if he wanted to buy a 9 tab pack before his insurance would cover a refill it would be about $225 :scared:).