You know your medications are expensive when... - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Llama · 01-17-2008, 06:18 PM

your pharmacist says "that's not so nice" when finding out the price of (abilify) it and ringing it up for you.

OK, we have to laugh at that a little, right? It's not funny but it is.

Anyone else have any horror stories?

I also had a pdoc appt today and she increased my abilify to 20mg. I already feel better? Is that weird? I feel calmer. Not so much anxiety or restlessness. I didn't think it would work this fast but it has. I hope it continues to do so.

Hoping you all are doing well,

~llama

seaturtle · 01-17-2008, 06:54 PM

Hi, Llama,

Glad to hear you're feeling better, and I hope it does last.

Don't you have insurance that picks up your meds? I can't imagine having to pay for psych meds, yikes.

Keep well,
Seaturtle

ridersam · 01-17-2008, 10:01 PM

when you are slugged by the private bill.
Here in Australia we are lucky enough to have Medicare where the most you are charged is around $30. OK if you're on one medication, adds up if you have more. Some drugs are available in the USA are not available here yet. Lamictal is available, but at about $130 per perscription it is used only as a last resort. Some of the newer drugs are just too expensive or just not available in OZ. We lag about year or 2 from the USA in getting new medications.
Abilify here is $220 for 30 tablets!!! No wonder, I would have passed out at the pharmacy counter too!!

steamrollhehe · 01-18-2008, 06:52 AM

I'm on abilify, Lamictal, Lexapro, and seroquel, and boy are they expensive! Luckily my dad has a good job (he's a doctor) and insurance so we can afford them, I can't imagine having to pay for them from your own pocket!

I went with my mom to pick up my meds at the store and when the lady handed us our meds, I said "thanks mum." The lady at the counter looked at me with wonderment, she said she had never seen a kid thank her mom for meds before. I was like with how much these cost I better be thanking her!

I do have a question, though. I am 17 and as long as I am in school and under some age (I'm not sure what age, somewhere in your twenties) my parent's insurance pays for it. What happens when I pass that age? How will I get insurance? Won't the companies turn me down becuase they know how much of a proft loser I am? Just wondering.

--steamroll

Jenn4508 · 01-18-2008, 08:46 AM

steamroll - Once you leave your parents insurance, go right to another policy... don't ever let insurance lapse... There is a law in place that as long as you never let insurance lapse and you go from say your parents to an employers or a private insurance, they cannot hold it against you... there would be no pre-existing conditions.... Remember, no matter what, never let there be a lapse in your insurance.

Good Luck and you are a Wonderful Kid for thanking your mum. Jenn