Geeze, where to begin on this one...
As you are aware, the cost of medicine is just out of control. If you think there is a good reason for the price of them, think again. Check the links below to see for yourself the reason.
Yup, it's their salaries (and yes, its all public records). They think all consumers are stupid or something, for how could they possibly justify it? Lucky for us, its public records, watchdog groups are cropping up, and its all listed on the net for us.
 CLICK HERE FOR THE SALARIES; at www.thecorporatelibrary.com/
or
CLICK HERE FOR THE SALARIES; at wwww.aflcio.org/corporateamerica
Well, I will list some ways I have found that help a wee bit.
FREE medicine and Programs
Just a couple I found on the net. Look at the home page under "drugs" for more.
- NeedyMeds.com <-help with meds!
(thats right, I said free)
- PPARX.org <-Help with meds!
(thats right, I said free)
Doctors Offices
In the area I live in, Drug Companies representatives are constantly visiting these offices, soliciting their products. I see them all the time coming and going. With them, they bring samples to leave at the doctors offices. That is a benefit for us. If you have no insurance or poor coverage, let the doctor know and she/he usually will offer some samples. If they don’t offer, ask.
Pediatricians usually have plenty of samples of childrens or infant tylenol in stock…Lord knows it has helped my family tremendously. Thank God for those samples, for little to no child support was coming in.
Put your pride aside and ask. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
Hospitals
The cost of hospital tests, visits and stays are also out of control. I have seen hospitals charge insurance companies for tests they didnt even perform. They should have seen that in the records (with the results, or lack of, that is), but thats what they do.
Where I live, one of the local hospitals, claim little to no profit, and yet buy up all of the land surrounding the hospital. Then there is the Hospital Thrift Shop, whom presents the hospital with a check of $100,000....all of these are a long story, but we end up paying for this crap, one way or another.
Hospital bills are a debt, and they will submit them to collection agencies as well as report it on your credit report.
Some hospitals offer what is called, Charity Care. If you are a certain income level, it will cover your visit expenses, medicines, etc.
Request it if it is not offered. Call the billing department and ask for any programs to help families in the poverty level bracket.
If there are none offered or they don't tell you of any, write or call your county or state officials.
Oh, one more thing...hospitals everywhere are EXTREMELY understaffed. If you have a senior in the hospital, make sure you visit them every single day, and for long periods of times. Make sure you tell the staff that you will be visiting every day as well. Make sure they know. This will ensure that your loved one receives better care, trust me on this one.CHEAPER or AFFORDABLE DRUGS
Ok, this one is no surprise to everyone, but I have to list it here anyway. A growing number of people (mostly seniors) are traveling to Canada for their meds. Why? They are forced to; its cheap and they can actually afford it there.
Pretty sad thing when fellow Americans can't even afford what they need to survive.
Anyway, they don't go to Mexico as much, for its a risky thing there (the actual ingrediants), so Canada seems to be the most popular. Some even buy directly online and have it shipped right to their door. The Drug Companies are really mad about it and trying to stop it, but so far, they have not been able to stop it.
Just some food for thought.
Again, I'll list these:
- NeedyMeds.com <-help with meds!
(thats right, I said free)
- PPARX.org <-Help with meds!
(thats right, I said free)
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