Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits > Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV
New insurance, crappy prescription plan
(1/1)
Rhaegar:
I recently relocated to Chicago. I already miss my old presciption plan.
My new is an RX plan via Cigna. I have a $125 deductible. It also seems that to do a retail fill of a prescription for a 30-day supple is $275 for Truvada, $275 for Prezista, and $173 for Norvir.
For a 3-month mail-rder supply of the above medications, I'd have to pay the $125 deductible plus $1178 all at once. *blink*
I'm currently at a loss at what to do. I'm a healthy guy in my early 30s, no other medical issues. My viral load is suppressed on the current medications and I have a decent CD4 count.
How the hell can my insurance coverage expect me to pay that? Are there cheaper options/medications?
Rhaegar:
Also, I'm wondering if it might be cheaper in the long run to utilize COBRA coverage until I find a permanent job? Does COBRA continue the same exact coverage that I had with my old job?
I'm currently a contractor, hence the not so great benefits.
Rhaegar:
Well, things aren't as dire as I initially thought. Even for people with private insurance, and high copays, there is hope.
It started with Gilead's copay assistance program. I think found the one for Prezista. I was automatically enrolled for both, and the medications are free for up to a year.
I expect Norvir to be similar once my doctor fills out his part of the application and it's faxed.
A helpful link to these programs: http://positivelyaware.com/pdfs/papcopayforweb_final.pdf