POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: DanMo on April 29, 2012, 09:37:30 pm
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Hey guys, it's been a while since I've last posted (school has been keeping me extremely busy).
I've been on ADAP for a couple of months now and no matter how much I try, I can't build up a reserve of emergency medications. Before I was on ADAP, I was getting my medications through Wellvista pharmacy's charity for people on the ADAP waiting list. I was able to build up a reserve of about 30 pills. But since I've gotten on ADAP, I've started noticing that they do re-orders a bit different. It's like they are pill-counting every refill I get and I am denied a refill until I have about a week's worth of pills left, and then I have to wait an obligatory 4-business-day period before they let me pick up the meds.
I mostly end up having about 3 pills as a buffer (which would usually count as going towards a reserve) but I'm always denied refills until I have about 7 pills total left.
Is anyone familiar with the way ADAP works (I'm in Florida btw)... and is there any way to build up a reserve?
PS: I asked a similar question a while back, and it worked when I was on Wellvista, but it's not working on ADAP.
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Does anyone have any experience with making a reserve while on ADAP?
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Does anyone have any experience with making a reserve while on ADAP?
Yes, although ADAP is run by each state individually so the rules of your state may differ from the rules of mine. When I was on ADAP I was able to refill one week early, which meant every month I would add a week's supply to my reserve.
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Yes, although ADAP is run by each state individually so the rules of your state may differ from the rules of mine. When I was on ADAP I was able to refill one week early, which meant every month I would add a week's supply to my reserve.
same in Pennsylvania and New York
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same in Pennsylvania and New York
Oh Yes, New Mexico is the same way as well, I've got a very nice stock-pile handy, however I'm not on ADAP I'm on BCBS
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Thanks for your replies everyone.
Yes, although ADAP is run by each state individually so the rules of your state may differ from the rules of mine. When I was on ADAP I was able to refill one week early, which meant every month I would add a week's supply to my reserve.
Hi Hellraiser. Do you mean you are able to refill when your current bottle has only a week of pills left (excluding any pills that you might have left over from a previous bottle?)
Because it seems like I'm only able to refill my prescription when, in TOTAL, I have about 7 pills left. And on top of that, I have to wait 4 days for the pills to be available at the health department's pharmacy. All other medication through the HD is available after an hour.
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Thanks for your replies everyone.
Hi Hellraiser. Do you mean you are able to refill when your current bottle has only a week of pills left (excluding any pills that you might have left over from a previous bottle?)
Because it seems like I'm only able to refill my prescription when, in TOTAL, I have about 7 pills left. And on top of that, I have to wait 4 days for the pills to be available at the health department's pharmacy. All other medication through the HD is available after an hour.
I was able to refill every 3 weeks like clock work.
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Look into a pharmacy that specializes in HIV like "Moms pharmacy" or "AHC.". I use moms and they automatically refill my prescription on the earliest day my insurance allows and then ships them out to me at no charge. I have several months built up now.
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Look into a pharmacy that specializes in HIV like "Moms pharmacy" or "AHC.". I use moms and they automatically refill my prescription on the earliest day my insurance allows and then ships them out to me at no charge. I have several months built up now.
If he's on ADAP he can only use certain pharmacies.
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I think due to particulars in Florida with ADAP then Dan isn't going to get a good answer unless someone here from Florida that uses ADAP can tell him what to do -- the rest of us are shooting in the dark
Perhaps Dan should address his concerns to either some friend in a similar situation or discuss this with his case manager. There are limits to internet/forum usefulness.
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Thanks again for your replies. There's so much that I don't know. I get my meds at the Health Department... I always thought being on ADAP meant that the HD was the only supplier for ADAP meds.
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I think due to particulars in Florida with ADAP then Dan isn't going to get a good answer unless someone here from Florida that uses ADAP can tell him what to do -- the rest of us are shooting in the dark
Perhaps Dan should address his concerns to either some friend in a similar situation or discuss this with his case manager. There are limits to internet/forum usefulness.
I think you're right Miss P. Things vary so much from state to state.
BTW, should I have a case manager? I don't think that I have one. Is this supposed to be someone at the Health Department?
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my medical case manager is through a local non profit. Especially if you struggle at all or are disabed I'd suggust it if only so you can make sure you are getting all the benefits you qualify for
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I'm on ADAP, but the Heath Department where I get my meds will not give you meds ahead of time. If you order them too soon they only give you half the supply ordered, then you'd have to come back in two weeks to pick up the rest.
It's real hard to build up a good reserve of meds. I started to take two or three pills out of the bottle and keep them in the house or on me just in case. When the bottle was empty I'd order the refill and was still able to get a full month supply since I was only three days off by keeping the other pills stashed - but that's as vast as my supply ever gets.
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Dan, you can find an ASO or other hiv agency that might be able to help near you by using the directory (http://directory.poz.com/) at POZ.com. (NOT the "quick search", that's for testing.) Good luck!
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Dan, you can find an ASO or other hiv agency that might be able to help near you by using the directory (http://directory.poz.com/) at POZ.com. (NOT the "quick search", that's for testing.) Good luck!
Hey Ann, I didn't realize that "case management" was what the ASOs did. I used to go to one (that's where I found out I was poz) but since I started going to the Health Dept. I stopped going there... I didn't realize they did more things (I thought it was just support groups).
Thanks for the help.
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I didn't realize they did more things (I thought it was just support groups).
some ASOs only test, some help with support services, some do case management (help with housing, doctor referrals, ryan white services like adap, etc), some handle treatment, and some do it all. You'll need to contact the ASO that's in your area (IF there is one in your area, not every area in America is covered) and see what services they do offer and what you're eligible for. ;)
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some ASOs only test, some help with support services, some do case management (help with housing, doctor referrals, ryan white services like adap, etc), some handle treatment, and some do it all. You'll need to contact the ASO that's in your area (IF there is one in your area, not every area in America is covered) and see what services they do offer and what you're eligible for. ;)
Thanks for that clarification.
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You're welcome, Dan. Good luck and let us know how you get on. :)
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Dan, have you contacted Hope and Help? http://www.hopeandhelp.org/about.php
They have been around in central FL for years and have done great work for the HIV community. I would recommend getting in touch with them.
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Dan, have you contacted Hope and Help? http://www.hopeandhelp.org/about.php
They have been around in central FL for years and have done great work for the HIV community. I would recommend getting in touch with them.
Thanks for the recommendation bman. There's another one in downtown Orlando (the one I went to initially) called Miracle of Love. They seem to be good. I looked at their website (and now that I know what to look for) they do indeed offer case management. But I'll keep an eye on Hope and Help too.