Well, chalk one up for the insurance companies on making me jump through 'hoops' to stay healthier.
I have been on an SSRI for depression since the mid 90's and have gradually eliminated most of the earlier ones used. Imagine my surprise to discover at Mayo Symposium last year that it may have contributed to my heart disease!
Now my only drug that has worked in the last 5 years has become Cymbalta. Tier 3 in the Medicare Drug plan I'm on. They are requiring my physician to practically devote their entire practice to documentation of my depression history!
If they don't approve it, I'll have to pay full price. Yes, glad I have insurance for the others as I know many don't have this. But ................the chance of regression back to depression would be very high if I have to change to another one.
I might have to reconsider my drug insurance company for 2010. Hmmm.
It's always something, isn't it Gilda?
Lynn
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Depression, meds, and insurance companies
- By goingstrong
- Posted October 27, 2009 at 11:53 am · 4 replies
- In Emotional and psychological issues
- Shared with the public
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- By Alexis77
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 11:04 am
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Lynn,
I go through this, too. Because I am bipolar. A couple of my meds got moved up to Tier 3 (medicare) because generics just came out or will be coming out in the next few months. It's one of the most frustrating things. If cymbalta is coming out with a generic form in the near future, that's why the price went up.
I hate insurance.
Alexis
- By goingstrong
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 11:13 am
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I hate it too, but I have to LOVE it also (or I'd be even poorer than I already am!) Maybe I'M also BIPOLAR! Ha
Not to laugh at your diagnosis as I have worked in the mental health part of medicine and it is no laughing matter! You have my admiration for battling a difficult diagnosis!
Lynn
- By reds4me
- Posted yesterday at 10:31 pm
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Yep, I'm a firm believer in psychiatric meds. I'm a mental health counselor that sees plenty of people who may have any sort of chronic health condition, and definitely develop a secondary depression or anxiety disorder via the stress of dealing with the chronic condition. Don't be afraid to talk with your PCP or specialist about depression and anxiety and find some medication that will work if it is complicating your recovery. For me, yahoo for lorazapam! I was just scheduled for an Aortic Valve replacement in a couple weeks and found I couldn't shut off my brain to sleep at night. A little 1mg of lorzazpam is enough shut off my brain so I can get much needed quality sleep.
So, if you can find something generic so the cost is low all the better. Shame on those insurance companies making their providers spend their time jumping through arbitrary hoops (and all these tier 3 rules are just that......arbitrary rules) instead of focusing their energies on quality care for the patients.
Oh, don't get me started!! I have to deal with Ins. companies as I bill for my clients......and oh, the stories I could tell about their machinations to find a way to "not pay." But, I'll just stop myself here!
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