Medical expense planning - what should I budget for different categories such as prescriptions?

[rsahm99]

I am early stage 1 and am fully covered by insurance (for now). I am particularly interested to know how expensive the prescriptions will on a monthly basis.

[Jeni]

Depends on you, when you are ready to go on meds, and where you live. After more than 4 yrs with PD I still am not on meds. I live in the U.S. and have copays for my ins. I am not ready to give in yet, I will be 49 in July and hope to wait as long as I can. I still work full time too. How does your PD effect you?

[Hidden]

I have good insurance. My part of Stalevo 100mg for 3 months is $200. I also take two other meds.

I have a savings account that I put money in monthly to help cover medical bills. That is so helpful, less stress when making the rounds of drs. and perscriptions.

[rsahm99]

I am with you, planning to hold out on meds and whatever comes my way as long a possible. I have noticed that PD tries to out flank me. For example, I can run over 20 miles each week but recently that my friends are telling me to speak louder. Go figure. I am simply trying to cover the angles now with a plan and this would include prescription costs.

[Zuke]

May we assume you are in the U.S. and won't be old ennough for Medicare (65) any time soon?

[rsahm99]

Good point! I am 51 now. I guess this is not such an easy question.

Are the drugs typically covered by insurance and are the co-payments reasonably low? Or perhaps you can provide a link to some cost studies.

[ram927]

I am fortunate that my insurance covers everything, drugs and doctor visits but if it didn't my bill could be close to $1000 @ month but many times the companies that make the drug can get it to

you for much less

[PatV]

My insurance covers sinemet with a $10 copay . Medicare doesn't allow for stuff like xanax or clonopin so I pay out of pocket for that stuff but at a reduced rate thanks to letter from nurse physician in neuro's office.

[Zuke]

My Rx receipts from Walgreen's say something like "Your insurance saved you $XX." And if your pharmacy doesn't routinely do that, I'm sure they would tell you the retail cost of your Rx.