Ran out of my prescription, no insurance for the next 90 days.

[skyfire322]

So, in part it's kind of my fault for not paying closer attention to the expiration date on my prescriptions, but I just ran out and I have no health insurance for the next 90 days.

I'm moving cross country on Tuesday, so there's really no way for me to get the local neurologist to fit me in. Are there any available options for emergency prescriptions? (like an ER doctor possibly?) Or am I pretty much SOL?

 

[JJR1956]

Hey skyfire, if you are out, I'd advise you to go to the ER. (bring your empty bottle/s) You defiantly don't want to be sick because of this oversight on your meds. Please be careful next time and keep an eye on your meds.

 

[Frink]

I believe a pharmacist can supply a 3 day emergency supply, but that will not help much. Do you have a GP who can write you a prescription?

 

[skyfire322]

The GP I see has told me that only my neurologist can prescribe my medication, since she's not the one treating my epilepsy. Since I messed up my shoulder pretty bad with my last episode, I'll need to go to the ER anyways, so I'll go and see if they can do an emergency refill.

I feel like a complete moron, but I honestly just forgot, which is probably the dumbest thing one can do when you rely on medication. This is definitely a lesson well learned for the future.

 

[JJR1956]

You have NO health insurance at all? I thought that with the new governments health care issues, everyone HAS to have health insurance or they will get a fine. I have Anthem/Blue Cross, Blue Shield from my job, but I heard you can at least get something from the "Affordable Care Act". (ObamaCare)

With my ins., I get all my meds from a company called, "CareMark". They make sure that I never run out of anything. They give me a 3 month supply, and when the script runs out, they call my doctors to get refills. They take care of everything.

Skyfire, why don't you check into some of the programs that are available? Seriously...check into it.

Good Luck!

 

[seagull]

I done same thing this week and thank god I Brit I took the polite version of what a twit I was got my scrip.....over here if you got chemist with common sense they give it to you if got proof you on it but you pay full cost of drugS
I read so often on forums American got big probs when out of insurence

 

[acshuman]

GP and Emergency Refill

I could totally understand what your GP said to you if you were asking her to refill your meds instead of you taking the time to see your neurologist, if you were trying to get out of seeing your neurologist. The fact is that you need an Emergency Refill. She should be able to do that if you bring her the proof that you can't get in to see your neurologist in time to get the refill.
Another thing to think about would be to call and ask your neurologist to CALL, email or fax in your prescription to your pharmacy.

Good Luck,
ACsHuman

 

[skyfire322]

You have NO health insurance at all? I thought that with the new governments health care issues, everyone HAS to have health insurance or they will get a fine. I have Anthem/Blue Cross, Blue Shield from my job, but I heard you can at least get something from the "Affordable Care Act". (ObamaCare)

With my ins., I get all my meds from a company called, "CareMark". They make sure that I never run out of anything. They give me a 3 month supply, and when the script runs out, they call my doctors to get refills. They take care of everything.

Skyfire, why don't you check into some of the programs that are available? Seriously...check into it.

Good Luck!

I don't have any. Through the ACA, the cheapest plan was $289 per month and that was for catastrophic insurance. I only worked 10 hours a week at my old job, so when I filed my taxes, they didn't charge me the fine.

I don't currently qualify for State Medicaid either, as the state of Virginia doesn't consider me disabled since my seizures are so random. (you need to have a certain amount of seizures per month while still taking medication) and they don't have Medicaid expansion (salary based Medicaid).

The one thing I *can* think of is to contact the drug companies and get free medication, however they want prescriptions from the treating physician. Maybe what I can do is contact the neurologist on Monday and explain the situation to see if they can just fill an emergency prescription.

Many thanks for all your responses! :hugs:

 

[skyfire322]

On a side note, I just ran across this.

It sounds promising.

 

[acshuman]

skyfire

I would think that you neurologist could help you with a prescription if you are planning on setting up an appointment. If you don't have enough meds to last until that appointment You should be able to get a new prescription because you are ALREADY a patient. The neurologist should know you and be willing to help in a time like this!:yippee:

ACsHuman

 

[seagull]

Proves to me American health system I won't use word stinks but certainly needs working on

 

[skyfire322]

I guess I'm stressed out mainly because my current issue is this (and it's kind of a doozy).

I left my neurologist in my current town due to personal reasons (he was a pill pusher and showed absolutely no concern whatsoever), so I went to see a one out of state. As of February 1st, that neurologist only accepts patients with in state health insurance.

That was also the neurologist the prescribed me the new medication (Depakote), so I'm not sure if my in town neurologist would be able to prescribe that to me without seeing me, and they are refusing to see me due to a billing issue.

Proves to me American health system I won't use word stinks but certainly needs working on

Not to get political or anything, but I couldn't agree more. The thing that annoys me most about it is that Medicaid Expansion is only available in some states but not others.

On the bright side, the city my new job is in has the second largest medical system in the mid west, just behind Chicago so my options won't be limited at all! I am going to explain the situation to my employer and see if I can buy into the health insurance before my 90 day probationary period due to my condition.

 

[seagull]

Have you got walk in centre.It not cool thing to do waiting 90 days has the health system worked it out that you end up in hospital which OK you get meds but high cost to tax system in bed tests and thousand other things..
I just mere stupid English woman but America needs me to explain it

 

[skyfire322]

I guess the moral of the story is just call and ask. I've done a bit more research and some have said their pharmacist has helped them out with emergency refills (even samples), as well as patient advocates.

 

[seagull]

Do in most parts of the world I done it.
The country who do rocket science must be able sort this

 

[skyfire322]

Update:
I called the pharmacy, and they said they couldn't but to contact the local Urgent Care to see if one of their physicians could. According to the receptionist, both are specialty medications, so they can't prescribe either because the levels need to be checked before they write the prescription.

I'll contact both neurologists tomorrow and see what I can do but as of right now, luck isn't on my side. I feel so stupid.

 

[seagull]

Your health system cruel somewhat stupid but brilliant if got money want Brest lift and look younger I bet you get appointment instantly

 

[Frink]

America has the best health care system in the world, if you are rich enough to to pay cash.

 

[seagull]

Yep get good boob jobs suck lifted injected 20years younger and would I have that done to you bet ya life I would.Cuba has best life death care and more doctors .America as you say good care if wealthy.
I moan the NHS can cock up but give me NHS any day.op would got meds here