Medical Costs are killing my budget!

**Jill B.** · 10-25-2008, 05:49 PM

I lost my benefits when my hours were cut back to 30 per week as of July1. We were able to enroll in the health insruance program at the Univ. where Dh is a grad student. We have 2 daughters so the costs are just over $6000 per year. Deductible is $50 a doctors visit. No pap smears or mamograms. But great hosptal coverage.

We put the $2000 for the first 6 months on a card and have $1200 left to pay (which will be in Nov.). We each get $250 a year for prescriptions. I have begun to have asthma for the first time in my life and it has plagued me since July 6th or so. First it was bronchitis and then went into asthma. My medications are now about $400 a month!

I just started getting them at Costco this week which saved me over $50 on two of them. We earn about $70,000 a year so we can not get on any plan through the drug companies for free meds. I have a $10 off coupon on one prescription that I get and it is good for 4 refills. I begged some samples from the doctor and have 1 month of samples of one. Soooooo, can anyone else think of anything else I can do to get meds cheaper? I am not sure what else I can do!

Thank you everyone!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-25-2008, 06:47 PM

I don't know what your meds are, but Walmart has $4 generic prescriptions... You might try there?

Good luck to you.

**nodmicks** · 10-26-2008, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Luv2BeFrugal

I don't know what your meds are, but Walmart has $4 generic prescriptions... You might try there?

Good luck to you.

Great idea! I know my meds are on the $4 list.
I totally understand on the medical costs. We are facing cobra payment of over 1000 a month on a high deductible (1500 per person) policy.

**kita** · 10-26-2008, 08:53 AM

Go on every pharmacy's website and look at their generic list. Grocery stores often have pharmacies, too. I had a cat who took "people" high blood pressure pills. Before the generic came out, each pill I used ( a quarter a day) was $3. I saw on line that the generic was coming out and it finally was just put on one store's list, so it pays to look around.

**rainbowgc** · 10-26-2008, 12:33 PM

One word: Canada
http://www.pharmacychecker.com/

**Buckeye5** · 10-26-2008, 01:16 PM

Could you explain the situation to your doctor, either they could write a prescription for a cheaper drug for your asthma and also, ask the dr. if he has an free samples.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 10-26-2008, 09:47 PM

This is why the US needs nationalized health care.

$6,000 for two kids? That's ridiculous!

I agree to check with Wal-Mart and see what you can do. I think the Partnership for Prescription Assistance program might be out of your reach, given that you make so much money. If you can't do anything with Wal-Mart, I'd call every pharmacy in your area and find out how much the generic prescriptions would cost.

This makes me glad I don't live in the US anymore.

Oh and for whoever said Canada, some meds here are just as pricy as they are in the US. I also wouldn't trust it unless your doctor is located here in Canada and is giving you a prescription from a place you can trust. I get my prescriptions filled through the walk-in clinic that's located in the same building as the grocery store pharmacy.

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-26-2008, 10:11 PM

All I can say is wow $6000 a year.... that's just outrageous.... try Walmart and ask that when the doctor fills our the prescription form that he says "generic" is ok.

I dont have insurance, for $6000 a year that's just way to much to even think about, and with only $250 a year for prescriptions, that's just not fair to say the least... you pay so much but get only $24 a month per person for prescriptions, goodness gracious.... WE NEED BETTER HEALTHCARE at a cheaper rate.