Cost of Meds on your own?

[Maestro]

Well, if you read my Uncle's latest dilema http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=8653.0 you know he may well be losing his insurance coverage.  As I mentioned before, he is actually pretty well of because of what he inherited from his partner.  I am certainly aware that MANY people out there are not as lucky as him and this thread is in no intended as a slap in the face or anything like that. 

If he is going to be buying the meds on his own, any clue as to a months supply of Ziagen/Invirase/Kaletra...He is on a score of other meds, but right now I am not thinking about those prices...Just the Big Three if you will. 

[aztecan]

Hey M,

Here is a web site with the prices of the HIV meds listed, or at least most of them.

http://aids.about.com/od/hivmedicationfactsheets/a/drugcost.htm

So, according to the fact sheet, the cost for a one-month supply is:

Ziagen   $466.44

Invirase   $748.50

Kaletra   $796.26

According to this list, my regimen costs $1,326.60.

Hope this helps.

HUGS,

Mark

[Maestro]

Thanks Mark...

Of course...one stay in the hospital and voila....broke!

[ACinKC]

Stupid Healthcare system!  You should check out the little gathering we are planning in Washington!  It's in the Activism Forum!

[Christine]

I have heard Costco has pretty good rates on meds.

http://www.costco.com/Pharmacy

For as much as the meds cost, and for as much as one hospital stay can be, it might be less expensive to buy the insurance.

Christine

[Tucsonwoody]

While I can see it's important to know what the HAART meds might cost, I have found out that there are many others that cost even more, so you might want to check them out as well so you're not caught off guard.

The Valcyte I was on for awhile  can retail for $4,000 a month and the Nuepogen injections I had to take for a week or so were retailing for $760 a dose as an example.

Also, if you plan to use a big box place like Costco or Sam's Club, check first to see if they carry what you will need.  I don't know about Costco, but Sam's doesn't carry everything, but you can order them through a Walmart website.  Also, you don't have to be a member of Costco or Sam's to use their pharmacy (or buy booze for that matter) as they are regulated by the feds so they have to let anyone in to buy them.  Just tell the person at the door and the cashier and you are set.

And don't forget for some generics, Walmart, Sam's and Target sell a bunch of the common ones for $4.00.

Good luck and if you find some deals - let us know!

[koi1]

The big mouthed, rude pharmacist blurted out to me that I was saving more than 1,200 bucks for my sustiva, truvada combo.

rob

[jntmax39]

I could never afford any of these meds on my own,I am very thankful and greatful that I am on medicare and medicaid,although I don't make that much mony on dissability I sometimes think that if I was well enough to work,would my ins.company even cover me. All of my meds come to almost 4,000 a month.

[Tucsonwoody]

Hey jnt - $4,000 a month is a lot of money alright and believe it or not, I know someone who takes one medication that is $11,000 a month...good thing the government is paying for it.

If you work and they have a group plan for the company and you qualify per their policy (like full time etc.), as far as I know they have to insure everyone no matter what...and you pay whatever the employee premium is just like everyone else. 

That's one reason so many companies try to hire part timers since they usually don't offer the same benefits as the full timers get.