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I have Crohn's, but I don't have health insurance

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Posted 6/21/2008 3:03 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

 

I've found myself in an undesirable position.  I have Crohn's disease but I don't have insurance.

 

I was just on the cusp of getting Humira to treat my fistulas when the whole thing shut down because our insurance expired.  I'm going to try to get something thru the state for a while, but does anyone have any suggestions on how I might get ahold of Crohn's medicine without insurance?  Do you know of any sponsored programs or "scholarships" for medicine?

 

Thanks for any and all help!

Posted 6/21/2008 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Check out the MyHumira website. Abbott has a patient assistance program that will help you get the Humira if you meet their guidelines.
Posted 6/21/2008 3:54 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you, Pibbin!  I'm off to investigate those sites.  I really appreciate your help!

Posted 6/21/2008 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to send you ((BIG HUGS)) to you. I can't imagine having Crohns disease and no insurance. But Pibbin did give you some great advice. Montel Williams also runs a program call something like Prescriptions for America or something like that.
Posted 6/21/2008 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
i went for a few months without insurance, but thankfully i didn't have any issues. best of luck to you!!
Posted 6/21/2008 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Humira does have a help program and depending where you live there is Trillium.  Not sure.  Sucks to have a disease you cant afford.  And all the cheap drugs have a lot of side effects, go figure. Hang in there.
Posted 6/21/2008 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers...please keep us posted!
Posted 6/21/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in the same boat. I've been bouncing from clinical trial to clinical trial. its something worth looking into.
Posted 6/22/2008 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
My GI contacts the drug companies and said he could get my meds for free for me. I dont have insurance either right now. The only downfall is your a little more limited to what meds you can get. And you will have to administer them to your self but from what I am told alot of drug companies will give meds through your doctor. Best of wishes to you.
Posted 6/22/2008 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Try these links for assistance with meds: http://www.pparx.org/Intro.php http://www.needymeds.com/ http://www.themedicineprogram.com/ http://www.rxassist.org/default.cfm http://www.peoples-law.org/health/charity-care/special_drug.htm Blessings!
Posted 6/22/2008 3:46 PM (GMT 0)

Wow you guys!  I've never been to a board like this before and I am just overwhelmed by how much support I've received from everyone.  Thank you so much for all of the wonderful advice.  And for the hugs and warm wishes.  I am all about soliciting doctors and Montel Williams on Monday!

Thank you guys SO MUCH

Posted 6/22/2008 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
lightningbug -

Welcome to the forum. Hang in there - and hang around here. There are many wise and wonderful people here, as you will find. The forum moderators are a blessing as well - always GREAT assistance.
Posted 6/22/2008 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tex! :)  I will have so much to pursue Monday morning.  I'm really excited that there are some options to look into.  Wish me luck, I need it!

Posted 6/22/2008 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
GOOD LUCK!!! yeah
Posted 1/9/2011 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I was on state assistance, but then we started making too much money. My husband is a contractor and I am part time. We applied for personal insurance which denied me. I appealed and got insurance, but it excludes my colitis. The insurance company says that if I go symptom free for a year they will take it off the exclusions. I talked to my doctor and he is giving me meds for free now. As long as I don't claim anything for the disease on my insurance I can expect to have it added back.
Now, if I do have to go in for anything related to colitis, I was told I can still apply for high risk through the government. It costs a bit more, but it will cover anything that needs to be done. I've talked to someone else on the program and they said it was well worth it.
I guess this is for someone that isn't financially strapped. Otherwise, I know there are other programs out there for people who can't afford personal insurance.
I was hoping that the pre-existing condition rule would apply to everyone, but such is the games of government. Write to your local political leader and tell them that we deserve equal rights !!!
Posted 1/9/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
blush  This response goes out to lightningbug: I'm kinda in your boat!! I lost my job last June/2010, and have been on CobraInsurance since then. I can only be on that for a year and at whihch time if I have to go on disability, they will extend it for 24months. I don't have a drug policy on my insurance, so I had to apply to thru a drug company Humira to see if I could get assistance, and  so far have heard nothing back. They were supposed to send an application to my Doctor, but they haven't received anything either!! I guess what worries me the most is that I  now have developed pre-existing liver conditions because of my Crohns, and I think that started around 2007. My GI Doctor says it's minimal and has been for over a year now, so I may try it if I can get approved. I have an app. to see him this week and I will definitely be asking questions. I also thought that insurance companies were to accept you regardless of your pre-existing condition, I had thought they had passed a law into that effect. Who knows about our government these days!! Good Luck and keep me posed on how your are doing--Hugs--Silvergriz
Posted 1/9/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was there in 2003. I was dx while I had no insurance. So a scope, SBFT, GI visits...all out of pocket. The thing that saved me was my regular doc. He called the asacol rep and got a ton of free samples for me. It would've been several hundred dollars a month (though I think asacol is much cheaper now). And I set up a payment plan with the hospital that did my procedures. I ended up with $10k in medical debt from one year, and was still paying it off after I was in remission, but I was thankful I could make small payments each month.
Posted 1/10/2011 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
It seems that health care in the states is bad. In canada insurance is good for your co-pay on your Rx...but if you have to go into the hospital for a stay it costs nothing....and I do believe if a drug is administerd in the hospital that is covered as well because they admit you as an out-patient...someone in Canada who has had rem in the hospital would know me than me as I havn't been on that road yet..but its coming...I will know more when I see the doc on the 11th.

I wish you luck in getting covered for your meds because they are much needed.
Posted 1/10/2011 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
i didnt read through all the replys, so this might have been posted already but Humira has an assistance program, if your uninsured you might be able to get it for free. i have insurance but still signed up for the plan and only pay $2 per prescription which is the cheapest ive ever paid for any prescription for my crohns.....their number is 1-888-486-4723 or their website www.humirahelp.com....good luck
Posted 1/10/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Guys this post is 2 1/2 years old and lightingbug has not been seen in the forums since October 2008. So I doubt the original poster is going to see your messages. Just fyi!
Posted 1/10/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
blush  oh my.....never even looked at the posting date... blush
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