A Not Good Week…Got Better
My previous post was, in part, about my visit to the emergency room. Was that really just over 24-hours ago? It seems like several weeks.
A blood clot was diagnosed in my left calf. Which is, as y’all know, potentially life threatening.
The hospital sent me to the drugstore to pick up my medicine.
How much? The two-month supply would be $1800 (yesterday I wrote $1600).
My uninsured self had a heart attack.
Last night I asked y’all for advice, and your responses were helpful. Thank you! Also, Justin said he knew a retired pharmacist, Tiffany, and would talk with her. He came back later with a coupon Tiffany supplied him. “This will give you one month for free.”
I stared at him like he was crazy.
Today, returning to the drugstore, I handed over the coupon, nervously, like it was a note saying: “give me all your money.” The clerk took it, nonplussed, punched a zillion things into a computer, and asked that I take a seat. Had he called security?
Five minutes later: “Ross?” I went to the cashier, and handed over my credit card. She shook her head, and handed me the small bag. “No charge.”
Dazed at this miracle, and seeing no rushing security guards, I floated out of the store on a cloud of happiness. Somehow, somehow, a $900 expense just evaporated.
Then I went to the chocolate store to buy Tiffany a large box of delights.
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Wonderful news Ross!
Just momentous!
So thankful for these wonderful people!
That’s so great!! More importantly, you got the medication you need and hopefully the inspiration to get health insurance. Be well and be safe.
So relieved to hear this.
God is good!!!! So wonderful to hear about your meds….and free!!!!
I know we all like you down here. But Someone else really likes you up There too!!
What a relief! 💜 I was going to suggest asking your doc for samples “to see if it agrees with you” – they generally have samples. 🍀 Sounds like Justin is the man to know! Keep safe & well, Ross.
Just so very glad to hear this Ross. Stay well, my friend!
Ross, so happy to hear about the medication miracle. Now on to the hospital fees. Most hospitals will write off treatment charges if the patient cannot pay. They are also very likely to negotiate the charges with you if they knew your situation. I read about this somewhere online, but can’t remember the source now. Please ask the hospital about self pay reduction options.
You’ll be doing the ole soft shoe again very soon.
Well thank God for Justin and Tiffany.
Upon reading the first section of the last post, I was anxiously thinking, “Blood clot? Infection?” and then the second section continued, Thursday morning . . . without action on he leg, and I was screaming “Call the doctor!” Perhaps having just been in the hospital for a kidney stone, it’s fresh in my mind how fast things can get really bad. With the explanation of the insurance I understood, having avoided a major health issue earlier in life out of fear of the cost implications. On the upside, thanks for not sharing that before because your frequent scaffolding work already gave me anxiety without knowing. Glad you’re getting better, but do take care, you’ve got so many more years in you and so much more to do. Get well!
So sorry to learn of your scary and difficult time! Hurrah for the help of good friends! Take care Ross. Sending hugs and mega good juju for quick healing.
Thank you for the juju, Robin!
Such good news Ross! Thank goodness for Justin and Tiffany! I hope that you can sign up for Uncle Joe’s health insurance. I know it’s expensive. I am self-employed too, and it’s not easy sometimes. When you are eligible for Medicare in several years, talk to the community because that is complicated too.
I hope you can keep getting some kind of coupons, like GoodRx, SingleCare or the AARP prescription discount for example. I recently saved 50% on a drug. It was better to use the coupon than the insurance!
I must thank you because I often hear you in my ear saying that 30-year-old Ross would climb a ladder etc, but 61-year-old Ross takes more care. You have saved me from many probable falls. As I mentioned, patience has not been my strong suit, but I have learned caution.
Be well!
Thank you, Karen!
Note: I’m now 64!
And I’m glad I’ve been of some help!
Praise God! What blessings your friends are!
Agreed, Liz! Agreed!
I am so thankful for Justin and Tiffany. You may know this but want to advise on the hospital bill. Ask them for the cash pay discount. All insurance companies get a discount – individuals do to but you have to ask. Most insurances discount costs down by 40%. In my office my rates are lower so I have offer a 20% discount. Next, every hospital has funds for certain situations – ask if you would be eligible. Finally – a payment plan can be arranged.
Please take care. The changes you have brought in my life are immeasurable. As a Nurse-Practitioner I so want to offer care but that isn’t possible with being on the east coast so I hope in some small way the above info is helpful.
Thank you, Lisa. Excellent advice.
About 15 years ago I had a hernia operation at the same hospital. I made it clear that I had no insurance.
They immediately cut the cost down by 50%! They said they could do this if I agreed to make monthly payments, and without fail. This way they could avoid the massive amount of paperwork associated with insured patients.
I said I could. And did. And hope I can do it again!
Bravo Ross and bravo to your supporters. One of the most well run and helpful programs in this country, Medicare, is right around the corner but please invest in Obamacare until then. Stay safe and healthy.
Thank you, Pam!
Happy tears for you! (I watched a YouTube video about Amer healthcare costs vs. Europe; Was eye opening. Take care of yourself. I love how everyone rallies around you. We all care. 🙂
I don’t know if this app will work for you or not, but I used good rx for a medicine I needed in November. The cost would have been 467.00 for 30 tablets. I found a pharmacy on good rx that would sell it for 14.95 if I showed them the good rx code from my app. Hell of a price difference! I hope this works if you need more
That’s such great news! Make sure you follow ALL of the doctors’ advice and don’t be
over doing it. Nothing is more important than your health!
Sending healing thoughts your way — and thanks to Tiffany for her help, too! She deserves a sweet reward.
Thank you: Justin, Tiffany and to all that donated, sent positive energy and prayed! Virtual hugs to each of you.
Ross, I really hope that you continue to feel better. I’m sorry that you had such a scare, and even sorrier that healthcare is so inaccessible in this country. Sending well-wishes and a little $$ your way.
Thank you, Ellen!
I had a similar thing happen with my previous dog Ramses. He was 14 and a half and terminal due to bone cancer. But his quality of life was still pretty good but he wasn’t eating well, due to some of the other meds. she wrote me a prescription for nausea and I took it to CVS. $465?!!!!
I called her from CVS and told her I couldn’t afford that. She sent me a coupon through the phone. $44.
It really brings to light the absolute obscene greed of Big Pharma. What do cancer patients do? Even if they do have insurance. And explains the high cost of insurance as they are being robbed by Big Pharma who just pass on the costs.
And the feeble excuse about recouping cost of development? Bovine Excrement! Many of these drugs are developed at Universities and subsidized by Federal grants. So tax payers are paying for it all and then being taken to the cleaners a second time.
I hope one month’s worth is all you need to take care of the clot.