Help with ADD Medical Coverage

[D_Titan]

I come at the mercy of this forum. I lost my job and I can no longer afford health care. I'm wondering if there are any programs out there that offer help for people in poverty that have medical necessities but cannot pay for them. I didn't qualify for Medicaid for one reason or another. My current income level is at $356.00 per month. I have no assets. I should qualify for something....right? And that's money I receive from the VA because I'm disabled from the military. Can someone please help??!! I have severe ADHD and I need my meds. I can't afford $150.00 a month for Vyvanse. Are there any other programs in which I can see a psychiatrist or even a general family doctor at very low or no costs? I live in Tennessee.

[D_Titan]

And some of you might be wondering why the VA cannot see me for my medical problems. I am simply too far from them. Besides, it costs an arm and a leg to get care from there. I want a private doctor.

[Tominal]

I don't know the answer, but I do wish you well. Perhaps you could start with a call to the VA? Maybe they would have some suggestions. Also, you could just start calling state or federal government offices and see if you can get routed to the appropriate agencies (e.g., medicare/medicaid).

On the private front, it is probably possible to find a doctor who charges less for cash customers and would prescribe generic meds that are not nearly as expensive as Vyvanse. On $365 a month just about any cost would be excessive though.

Good luck!
-Tom

[SB_UK]

the pages need a free registration (which I don't really want) -
and so from google

Dexedrine®: British National Formulary
This information is from the BNF. BNF ... Dexedrine®(Celltech) Controlled drug. Tablets, scored, dexamfetamine sulphate 5 mg. Net price 28-tab pack = £3.00. ...
www.bnf.org/bnf/bnf/current/3375.htm

£3 is ~$5
- that's around $20.00 per month for 20 mg / day

- I use 5 - 10 mg per day and so that's $5 per month paying the full pharmaceutical company cost -

it's a real cheap med because it is so old and has made it's way through to generic.

I wouldn't pay for any of the more expensive meds
(not that we particularly have a choice in the UK).

[blueroo]

Shire, the manufacturer of vyvanse, has a patient assistance program which can help you. They provide medication free of charge for those with low income.

Here is a thread about the program:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46120

This program will help you get signed up:
http://patientassistance.com/

[Retromancer]

One possible state agency to contact is your states Vocational Rehabilitation agency. I am presently seeing a psychiatrist who prescribes medication -- both paid for by my states VR agency. (The bulk of these agencies funding comes from the federal government -- reassuring in light of state budget cuts. I would hurry though, there may well be waiting lists starting...)

Information such as the Shire site should be placed on a 'sticky'. As we head into the second year of this recession there are going to be many more fellow ADDers who are going to need assistance.