Wal-mart Offers $4 Prescription Meds
Wal-mart announced a plan yesterday that could be a big help for those without
medical insurance, including seniors affected by the "doughnut hole" coverage
gap in their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. They will be making
nearly 300 generic drugs available for $4 a prescription for up to a 30-day
supply at commonly prescribed doses. Among the drugs available which could
benefit depression and manic depression patients are Amitriptyline, Doxepin,
Fluoxetine, Carbamazepine, Lithium Carbonate, Nortriptyline and Trazodone.
Currently the program will only cover 65 Walmart, Neighborhood Market and
Sam's Club locations in the Tampa Bay, FL area, but plans exist to expand to
the entire state of Florida by January 2007 and to extend to as many states as
possible next year.
$4 Generic Drug List:
http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Floridagenericdruglist.pdf
Participating Stores:
http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Floridastorelist.pdf
http://depression.about.com/b/a/257642.htm
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How to Get Free or Low-Cost Treatment for Depression
http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm
http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx_2.htm
From Nancy Schimelpfening,
Your Guide to Depression.
Online Resources
Perhaps the only thing worse than depression is having depression and not
being able to afford treatment. I frequently get letters from those of you who
are in just this predicament. I've collected here all of the free and low-cost
resources and ideas that I have come across in the past couple of years. I
will continue to add more as I find them. If you have a suggestion for
something that I've overlooked please write to me at
depression.guide@about.com.
LOW COST MEDS
Pill Splitting - An article in the September 1999 issue of Clinical Psychiatry
News reports that you may be able to purchase a higher dose pill at a cost
only slightly more than the dose you're currently on and split them in half.
In a presentation to the APA, it was reported that patients can save an
average of 37% off their current medication costs by pill splitting. A list of
the medications surveyed included popular antidepressants.
FREE MEDS
Needy Meds - This site is a bit difficult to navigate, but all the information
you need to get your meds for free can be found by clicking the name of your
drug in the list on the left side of the page. They are also trying to sell a
book, but all the same information can be found on their web site for free.
Appears to be frequently updated.
The Medicine Program - If you do not have insurance and do not qualify for
government programs you may qualify to enroll in a privately sponsored
program. There is a $5.00 processing fee for each medication requested through
this organization, but the medications themselves are free. Volunteers staff
this organization and the processing fee covers their expenses. They are
basically contacting the drug manufacturers on your behalf. You may also
contact these companies directly using the information provided in the
following link.
Free Samples - Often pharmaceutical companies provide physicians with free
samples. Ask your doctor is he/she has any samples on hand of your medication.
I used to get all my Buspar this way.
LOW COST TREATMENT
Sliding Scale Fees - Some providers may have sliding-scale fees. Based on your
income, the provider will reduce his or her fees.
Negotiate a Lower Fee with Your Doctor - Other providers, if they are aware of
your financial limitations, may be willing to negotiate a payment plan that
you can afford or to lower their rates according to what your insurance plan
pays.
Community Mental Health Centers - Many communities have community mental
health centers (CMHCs). These centers offer a range of mental health treatment
and counseling services, usually at a reduced rate for low-income people.
CMHCs generally require that you have a private insurance plan or be a
recipient of public assistance.
For more information about Community Mental Health Centers:
National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care
12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20850
voice: 301-984-6200
fax: 301-881-7159
http://www.nccbh.org/
Pastoral Counseling Programs - Your church or synagogue can put you in touch
with a pastoral counseling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are
ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral
counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling
is often provided on a sliding-scale fee.
For more information about Pastoral Counseling Programs:
American Association of Pastoral Counselors
9504-A Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031-2303
voice: 703-385-6967
fax: 703-352-7725
http://www.aapc.org/
e-mail: info@aapc.org
SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS
Another option is to join a self-help or support group. These groups give
people a chance to talk about and work on their common problems-such as
alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, family issues, and relationships.
Self-help groups are generally free and can be found in most communities. You
may also join an online support group right here at About. We have a support
group meeting 24 hours a day in our chat room.
For more information about Self-Help Groups:
American Self-Help Clearinghouse
Northwest Covenant Medical Center
25 Pocono Road
Denville, NJ 07834-2995
voice: 201-625-9565
fax: 201-625-9565
http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/
National Mental Health Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, PA 19107
800-553-4KEY
http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm
More Resources
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
People with severe mental illness may be eligible for several forms of public
assistance, both to meet basic costs of living and to pay for health care.
Such programs include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and disability
benefits.
For information about Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits
call:Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
SSA Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/
Medicare - Medicare is America's major Federal health insurance program for
people who are 65 or older and for some with disabilities who are under 65. It
provides basic protection for the cost of health care. Two programs can help
people who have low incomes receive benefits.
Medicaid - Medicaid pays for some health care costs for America's poorest
people. More information about Medicaid and who is eligible for it is
available at local welfare and medical assistance offices. Although there are
certain Federal requirements, each State has its own rules and regulations for
Medicaid. The Medicaid Clearinghouse contains links to information for
individual states.
BECOME A RESEARCH SUBJECT
Many research programs for new meds and treatments will provide free treatment
for participants. The downside of this is you run the risk of getting a
placebo or an unproven treatment, but if you have nothing to lose take a look
at Research Subjects Needed. This page currently lists several different
research programs all around the US and Canada.
FREE CLINICS
If anyone knows of other free clinics around the country, please email me and
I'll add them to the list.
Haight Ashbury Free Clinic- This free clinic in San Francisco provides
services for general health care, HIV, homeless people, mental health care and
substance abuse recovery.
Locating Other Free Clinics - The National Free Clinic Directory and A Free
Clinic: Starting Out (a manual on how to start free clinics) are published by
The Free Clinic Foundation of America and the Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke,
Virginia. You can reach them at:
Free Clinic Foundation of America
1240 Third Street, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone (540) 344-8242
Fax (540) 342-0220
e-mail: bradleyfc@mailcity.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
For more information about paying for mental health care, contact:
Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
800-789-CMHS (2647)
800-790-CMHS (2647) (electronic bulletin board)
http://www.mentalhealth.org/
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
voice: 703-524-7600
fax: 703-524-9094
http://www.nami.org/
National Empowerment Center
20 Ballard Road
Lawrence, MA 01843
voice: 800-769-3728
fax: 508-681-6426
http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx_2.htm