Zap The High Cost Of Prescription Drugs
Even if you have health insurance, your plan doesn't cover all prescriptions, and some of the prices are outrageous.
Even patients with insurance plans are being cut off at the drug counter and left to pay skyrocketing prices for medication.
"When I got the first prescription bill that my insurance didn't cover, it was the first real shock for me," said Jerry Hall of Sultan.
Hall's health plan has a $1,000 cap for prescriptions. But, Jerry takes six different expensive medications every day.
"And if I was to buy this same amount here, without insurance, it would cost me approximately $1,500 for a 90 day supply."
But instead of $1,500, Jerry pays just over $600 for the exact same medicine, by filling her prescriptions in Canada. But not the way you're probably thinking.
Jerry discovered Dr. John Erb in Edmonds.
Since Erb's licensed in Washington State and Toronto, he can practice medicine in both places.
He's been slowly building his business by word of mouth since September.
"I write the prescription in the computer, I print it out. I fax it to the pharmacy in Canada," Dr. Erb said.
The medicine is then mailed to your home, and it's legal.
Dr. Erb is the only physician we could find in Washington state who does this, and he's getting help from other doctors.
Patrick Hietter, 45, and his father were referred by Patrick's clinic in Bellevue.
Dr. Erb say he won't write a prescription unless you come to his office in person -- and patients are coming from as far away as Oregon.
"I just want to have a look at your medications here."
You must provide your health records and your medicine, and he'll only write a Canadian prescription if it will save you money.
His fee ranges from $30 to $60 depending on the number of prescriptions involved.
With Dr. Erb's Canadian connection, Pat and his father will save more than $2,000 a year.
But Dr. Erb says he isn't replacing their physicians. "And I'm not trying to do that," he said. "They need to continue with their own doctor and they need to see their doctor in the same pattern that they would've been before."
Patient Assistance
John Crenner also gets medicine in the mail -- but his medicine is free.
He's getting six medications directly from the pharmaceutical companies.
Manufacturers don't publicize it, but most if not all of them, have special programs called patient assistance, for people who otherwise could not afford medication.
The bill for John's 15 different medications was literally wiping out his monthly income.
As a last resort, John's doctor helped him apply for patient assistance.
"All of the forms originate through the doctors orders," he said.
Patient assistance plans vary, but here are the basics:
- Only your doctor can make the request.
- There's a lengthy application process.
- And only certain drugs are free.
- You must prove you need the medicine.
- And you must qualify financially.
That's the trade off. Be prepared to disclose a lot of personal information.
"I've not been asked my sexual preference, but aside from that, I've been asked a remarkable number of things," Crenner said. He says they asked about money in his bank account, as well as copies of his last three months' statements.
Patient assistance programs are a well-kept secret, but doctors know about them. So if you're on a limited income, and can't afford your medicine, ask about getting help.
One important footnote: Patient assistance is not guaranteed. Even if you think you qualify, drug companies may reject you. And even if you get free medication once, you may be denied when you apply for a refill. Since our interview with Crenner in Seattle, he says that's what happened to him.
And check out discount prescription cards. If you're eligible for AARP, you can save up to 40 percent for just $15 a year plus your AARP membership.
People's Prescription Plan offers special discounts for $7.95 a month per household.
And a company in Kirkland just launched a new card for discounts at Safeway, Walgreen's and Costco.
Discount cards are a major trend, so expect heavy marketing. But before you pay for a discount card, contact your local pharmacies and make sure they'll accept it, because many of them won't.
For More Information:
Web sites about patient assistance plans:
www.rxassist.org
www.themedicineprogram.com
For information about discount drug cards and membership plans:
www.aarphelathcare.com
www.peoplesrxcard.com
www.wellrxcard.com
www.gsk.com
www.pfizer.com
For information on the Canadian Prescription Option, contact: Dr. John Erb at Cross Border RX: 1 (800) 320-8218 or (425) 778-7852.