USA Expensive Meds

[NvaGivUp]

I can never get over how expensive meds are in the USA and the awful Health insurance system it has. We know of people who got fired when they got ill and they lost their insurance. My Pramipexole ER costs me $5 for 30 and Levodaopa combo $5 for 100 on NO health insurance. Neurologist is free too. GP Dr visits free. Govt pays for it. I feel sorry for US PD peeps. From Australia

[lempa_nik]

NvaGivUp, You obviously have a kind heart. Thank you for the sympathy. With our current federal adminisitration here in the U.S., there is imminent danger of our healthcare system becoming much worse than it is already. But this is no place to go into the rage-inducing topic of politics. In our role as Parkies, we are urged to focus as much as possible on the less stressful and sunnier side of life.

[NvaGivUp in reply to lempa_nik]

Theres no rage expressed, no denial either. Your nation will and is getting worse, thats just reality

[lempa_nik in reply to NvaGivUp]

NvaGivUp, No implication intended that *you* were leading the discussion towards rage and/or politics. I was just admonishing myself not to launch into a wild political rant! At the same time , I am not saying that we patients should withdraw from political engagement and let our country go to hell. Just saying that this particular website is not the place for me to "let loose." There are countless other sites where I can vent politically if I am so inclined.

[NvaGivUp in reply to lempa_nik]

I hear you bro, but the older I get the less division I see in life, that is that dividing it up into pie slices is counterproductive. IMHO that goes for PD too. Im for the entire unified approach to wellness including politics excluding nothing

[Boyce3600]

Hmmm this brings up a question for me living in USA. I am trying to find affordable prices for Rivastigmine and Amitiza. Will be enrolling in Medicare Pt D for first time next week and the plans consider those 2 drugs Non Preferred Brand and are expensive. I have researched pharmacy discount cards, medical school clinical trials, access to samples, and mail order from Canada. Haven't finished looking for manufacturer to ask for help first try at that brought up India, Germany, China, and Switzerland just as places the drug is manufactured, nothing about help. Any thoughts?? We can't move to Australia😃

[Bailey_Texas in reply to Boyce3600]

Try goodrx.com

[aspergerian in reply to Bailey_Texas]

Thanks for suggesting goodrx. I tested for xadago. With coupon, 30 xadago tabs are only just over $700.00 usd.

[Astra7 in reply to aspergerian]

So expensive!

Did it help? I'm unsure if we need more glutamate or less!!

[Ruffinglgo in reply to aspergerian]

That's still a hefty price to pay! It seems to me our PD meds are going to cost more in 2018! I take Neupro, Rytary, Rasagiline and 2 blood pressure meds Isradipine and Lisinipril. I am one year away from Medicare. Right now I can afford Rytary at $50 month and other meds about $10 month but when I look up GoodRX I see prices for the above even with a 90 day supply are much more in 2018.

[grower]

I have seen the push in a lot of media in the US to create fear of socialised medicine like it's some precursor to communism. Our system in New Zealand isn't perfect by any means but I'm happy with paying $5/prescription and $30 to see the Dr. If I have to go to hospital it's all free. Don't have to worry about insurance.

[Hikoi in reply to grower]

Even the language I think is chosen to induce fear. What is called socialised health care is known as universal health care in the countries that have it.

[enjoysalud in reply to grower]

I think we Americans confuse "socialism" as anti-Democracy. I think we often confuse capitalism with democracy, and think capitalism IS democracy.

[NvaGivUp in reply to enjoysalud]

USA is on the slippery slope sadly. Even conservative wikipedia rates USA's democracy as 'flawed' and Australia / NZ as 'true'. This flawedness flows onto things like healthcare which in the USA is a big pharm $ making racket. The type of rorting going on in the USA is bad for the world, seriously. We resist it here.

[enjoysalud in reply to NvaGivUp]

Good, I'm glad. I take heart that "so far" in the USA attempted negative changes to the ACA (Affordable Care Act) have failed.

[NvaGivUp in reply to enjoysalud]

As part of the PD fellowship we need to own and take control of our treatment as much as we can

[Allyn]

I dread the day that I may need more medication than I take now....probably, I will not take it. Won't be able to afford it.

[Astra7]

It's a bit of a myth that Aussie health care is free. If you earn over a certain amount you have to pay for private health insurance or be taxed a similar amount. In my case that's $4800 a year for a family of 4. We also pay a 2% Medicare on our salary if it's over a certain amount. I pay out of pocket expenses of $50 per GP visit and $80 per neuro visit. Meds are subsidised so I pay only $38 a month for azilect for example. My integrative GP is considered a luxury and I pay around $200 to see her!

If you have less money, or just chose to, you can use the public health system which is very good and virtually free (you basically see the same doctors but may have to wait longer) and you get cheaper meds if you are a pensioner etc.

I'm really happy to pay this knowing my fellow Australians are being looked after, and also that I will be too if I can no longer work. I can't imagine making people sell their house to treat their kids cancer.

Arnt we smug!!

[NvaGivUp in reply to Astra7]

Not really accurate Astra if you have PD and get a pension the costs are nil for GP. I was an RN and the public system is good. Also the last 5 months all my meds are free due to being over the safety net threshold. All my tests scans etc are free.

[Astra7 in reply to NvaGivUp]

My point exactly. It's free if you need it to be, otherwise you pay what you can afford.

I think it's s great system, and I have huge admiration for the RNs I have met, especially those looking after my aging parents.

[NvaGivUp in reply to Astra7]

Its hard work thats for sure, sometimes I think theres a burnout component to PD

[stanny7]

Aye us is the UK have it good also if not working free prescriptions if working you can pay for a Pre Paid Certificate £104 a year and can pay it over 10 months at 10.40 per month and then be entitled to as many meds as needed.

Everybody is entitled to free healthcare (GPs,Consultants etc...) and all the scans required that would cost a bomb (MRI, CT, DAT SCAN etc...) only downfall can be wait time around about 4 months for me to see my 1st Neuro...You can however go private if you have the cash.