I am in the process of getting W enrolled in his new insurance plan. I will not have insurance until I find a plan I can afford as an individual. I am going to be ok about that. There are amazing walk-in clinics and if I need the care of a physician I will go there. W needs wellness visits and I absolutely want to have a relationship with a pediatrician’s office established for him. We are very much entering into the running full speed until something stops us (like a wall) phase. Hopefully I can get him sorted out in time to get him on schedule for his 2 year wellness check. Cross your fingers on that one!
As for me, well last year I was thankfully diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and suddenly EVERYTHING made sense. The depression, the inability to loose weight, the overwhelming fatigue, the joint pain, the hair loss and change in hair texture…it was all connected. Being on thyroid medication has done a lot to make me feel better. I can not express that properly. Seriously. I am taking your hands and looking you in the eyes and saying, “I feel better.” That is HUGE. That is medication at work and I am so so so thankful that I was able to have health coverage while I was in Maryland so that the diagnosis could happen.
But this medication and the ones I take for my migraines and depression are not cheap. And I’m a generic gal all the way (my body wouldn’t know what to DO with a name brand pill). I was seriously doing the math and starting to figure out which pills I could let go. I started cutting my migraine pills in half, then I started taking my antidepressants once a day, then I cut them in half. Then I started cutting my thyroid pills in half. And oh man…not cool.
And I KNOW it is wrong for my body and my health to do this, but when you are looking at something that costs over $350/month without insurance you flail around a bit. I am still recovering from messing up my thyroid meds up. (the fatigue is just an awesome side dish to depression)
I began to look online for prescription drug plans. Maybe I could pay a membership somewhere and get my meds for only $150 a month? Turns out I was half right. I did pay a membership to somewhere, but I ended up getting THREE months of meds for $90! And special bonus – I can now buy tons of bulk toilet paper and tampons for cheap!
Oh yes. Costco. COSTCO! They even have an additional saving plan for people like me that don’t have insurance so the meds are even less. (but even without that plan they are still so fairly priced) It really makes my gut turn to realize how many drugstores and grocery stores mark up medications. And I get it, people need to make a profit. But chances are if a customer is having to buy something without insurance they are not really the people that can afford a markup.
I’m actually not even going to get into how frustrated I am about the world for the uninsured – because I found a solution that works for me. And it is a great one. And an easy one. And maybe knowing this (or being reminded of it) is something you or a friend of yours needs to hear.
I was a total dumbass for thinking I could play doctor and take medication at doses far less than what was prescribed me. Totally dumb. If you are doing that or thinking about it take it from my after school special here- DON’T.And now I feel proud that I found a place that I can afford. Just knowing that I don’t have to worry about my meds made things easier.
{And just so you know I am not working for Costco and they did not pay me to say that they are awesome. I am saying it because I believe it to be true.}
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Costco is awesome. And I’m really, really glad for you that you are able to get your medications at a reasonably affordable cost.
Well. hooray Costco. Who knew? Not I. We’re self-insured, translation, very expensive, and very crap coverage. Am going to look into Costco for meds when we need ‘em. Thank you.
I didn’t have a clue they had a plan like that. I wonder what Vic’s upper tier meds would cost through them?
Kudos to you for finding a solution.
Wow, looking at those photos I now know that I enjoy NOTHING more in life than peeling wallpaper.
I’m glad you found the answer. Medical stuff is so hard and it can be sooo expensive.
SO SO SO glad you got your meds. I can’t remember if I was one who suggested costco or not, but I did MEAN to – my old roommate got her meds there that weren’t covered by insurance. It’s such a life saver.
Have you looked at Walmart or your grocery store generic plans? I don’t know what thyroid med you’re on, but I can get my generic synthroid at my grocery store for $10 for a 90 day supply without insurance. Maybe that’s comparable, but I thought I would mention it just in case!
I think there are some deals like that available, but people just don’t know to look. So glad you were able to find Costco’s plan!
But, seriously! You cannot readjust your dosages! If it’s a painkiller, OK. But maintenance medications? NO WAY! Don’t do it again! (Don’t forget – you can always petition drug companies directly for free or discounted drugs. Look! I’ve learned something from commercials!)
I’m not sure if this is true in Pennsylvania but in California, you don’t have to be a member to use Costco’s pharmacy. It’s actually against the law to require a membership here (in CA) to use their pharm. You may want to check that out. So glad you figured out a way to save money and be healthy!!
So glad you were able to get your meds at a reasonable price. I remember times when I quit taking mine as they were too expensive and it sucked.
This is a revelation! I haven’t had insurance in three years and the Not-so Husband hasn’t had it in probably five. The only one insured is our daughter through CHIP. We are pretty much one broken toe away from financial ruin if something were to happen. Costco is a far hike for us, but at least I know it’s an option. Worth the drive.
Wow. I didn’t realize the savings could be THAT big. What a great PSA!
You know, in the time we talked on Twitter, I had no idea how much we have in common. I, too, have depression and migraines. I have narcolepsy, too. I cannot imagine what would happen if I lost my medical insurance. I’d have to pay many hundreds a month, too. Kudos to Costco for helping people.
I had a small inkling of what would happen without insurance this year. My infant daughter’s insurance lapsed a few days before she was put in the hospital with RSV. She was in for 7 days, and her insurance was in limbo until the last day, when it finally picked up and paid. Can you say nightmare?
That’s a hugs savings – and an awesome thing. Meds are out of this world expensive, and if you get into the realm of rare disorders (and I hope you never do) it only gets worse. Even with insurance I spend around $450 per month on meds for two of my children…and that’s just their regular meds, doesn’t count the antibiotics or steroids or whatever else crops up meds. Heaven forbid E ever need surgery…because the med he would need for that is over $5,000 per vial…and has to be given every few hours. Oh yeah, and my insurance won’t cover it. Then there is the injections his allergist/immunologist wanted him to start on – only an annual cost of $30,000 (and I fall into the category of earning too much to get financial assistance, yet not earning enough to be able to pay that huge amount.) Just thinking about medication costs makes my blood pressure go up. I’m so happy you have found a place where you can get what you need…because it’s not easy, and going without (or self-adjusting) just isn’t a good option.