Available Resources for US-Based Members Regardless of Income

[hopenowandtomorrow]

Hi fellow MBC ladies: Here is a US resource of available services regardless of income. After seeing many posts from you on the need for affordable drugs, home meals, free transportation, etc. I thought this resource will help you with your various needs & questions. Many of the services are not based on your income level.

acl.gov/programs/aging-and-...

❤️🙏❤️

[Hidden]

Hopenowandtomorrow,

Thank you so much for your post and sharing this valuable info. I clicked through to find resources near me. I often think (hope?) that help is out there, but it's like a byzantine system/process to find and access it.

Again, thank you!

Lynn

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I found it difficult also. When I was off Medicaid and just starting Medicare, I was expected to pay a copayment for my Verzenio of $2,300 which I could not afford. The pharmacy I had been using (which was linked to the hospital) refused to give it to me until I paid the copayment.

The social worker at the Cancer Center was trying to get me a month or two for free since I was waiting to get approved for full Medicaid as my secondary insurance. She said she was having problems but was working hard.

I googled and see it was made by Lilly. I went straight to their website and they had a program called Cancer Cares. Unlike Pfizer (who makes Ibrance), Lilly is willing to help people with Medicare with the high copayments.

They had a program where if you were on Medicare and had a Medicare Plan D plan (which I did and which expected me to cover the $2,300 payment), they would give it to you for free.

I filled out a simple form, had my onco sign it and I faxed it to Lilly. This was in July. I was accepted since I was on Medicare and had plan D (rx) Medical plan.

They said they would give it to for FREE, until the end of 2019. That was great bc I expected to be accepted by getting Full Medicaid as a secondary insurance but knew it would take 3 months or a bit more.

Turned out they gave it to me for free (they do not send anything or deal with the govt at all since this their own program). It was as simple as looking at their site to see if they had any assistance. I expected them to be like Pfizer which does not offer any help to anyone on Medicaid or Medicare but I took a chance and was pleasantly surprised.

I was accepted within two days and they shipped me my order (I was already a week behind taking it). My social worker at the hospital was a bit upset bc she said she was trying to do it and was not able to get it for me and for whatever reason it upset her that I was able to get it for free until the end of the year. She is a tough cookie but it bothered her and she said well, then I guess you do not need my services if you got it until the end of the year and was a bit abrupt with me. She had helped me so much so I was upset by her attitude. When I got home, I called her and said why were you so abrupt and angry with me. She started crying and apologized and said she just felt bad that she had been trying so hard and I was able to do it myself. I said you have helped me tremendously but I realize you have so many patients to help, you could not spend all your time just helping me, so since I am home, I did some research myself.

So sometimes, it is easier than you think to get some assistance. I was shocked at easy it was but also very grateful. I only need Lilly to get it to me for two months bf I got accepted into Medicaid so I called them and thanked them.

[Godbeforme]

Thanks for posting that! I put it under my favs so when/if I ever need it, it's there! God bless you and heal us all in JESUS name, amen! xo

[mariootsi]

Thank you! Good to know resources are available!