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Can't Afford Your Prescriptions?

© Adelle Vancil Tilton

I recently saw a comic strip that really wasn't so funny. It was two frames. It started with an older man who had just won the lottery, complete with the balloons, pretty girl and the character presenting him a check for 1 million dollars. All were smiling and it appeared to be an occasion of great joy. The next frame was the irony. The conversation bubble over the winner's head said "Now I can afford to buy my prescriptions!". What a commentary on life in this millenium. But everyday we hear about senior citizens (and not so senior at times due to the medical insurance crisis in this country) having to chose between food and medications. This may be one of the biggest issues facing our society today. No one should have to chose whether to eat or have the medications to protect their health.

This problem has no easy solution and without a doubt, Congress will be debating for solutions for years to come. There are no easy solutions but there is a way to help deal with the high cost of prescription medication in some cases. This is not a cure all, nor will it work for everyone, but it is definitely a place to start to find out if help is available for the medications necessary to life and to a person's well being.

Keeping in mind that not all people qualify and not all drugs qualify, here are some steps that can be taken to help yourself or a loved one. It isn't a guarantee, but it is worth the time and effort to try.

1. First of all find out if you qualify for any sort of state aid.

2. Check to see if there are any federal programs that might help pick up where Medicare won't help, if the patient is a Medicare patient.

3. This may be the most important step. Find out who manufacturers the drug. If you do not know, ask your pharmacist. The pharmacist can also supply you with the company's address (postal mailing address) or you most likely will be able to find it on the web. The drug company, if the drug qualifies as one they will assist on will then have a series of steps you must follow for their help. Follow them to the letter.

The rules vary tremendously, but by and large, the baseline from which they calculate entitlements starts with an income of no more than $50,000 per year and NO other prescription coverage benefits. This includes any state or federal prescription aid. After that each company has its own set of policies. Of course the higher the income, the more "life sustaining" the drug would have to be to qualify.

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