← Return to Your Tips: How do you manage out-of-pocket healthcare costs?

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@gingerw

@colleenyoung Yes, I looked in to and used the social worker/patient advocate at my cancer center, when it became clear which chemotherapy medication I would be using. Since there is a ridiculously high co-pay, I was very keen to get some help paying for it all! Takes time, takes perseverance, but was worth it.
Ginger

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Replies to "@colleenyoung Yes, I looked in to and used the social worker/patient advocate at my cancer center,..."

@colleenyoung, @gingerw, @becsbuddy, and all...I've been reading the posts and learning a lot. A good topic, Colleen.
I'm concerned about online pharmacy or mail pharmacy deliveries. I've had so many meds through the years that were very expensive and some hard to find, so I've researched several local pharmacies for help. I seem to have a serious aversion to depending on mail delivery for medications I have to have, can't miss, etc. I know it would be less costly, but I don't trust the system itself. This includes weather conditions that can interrupt service, miscommunications, just adds more issues that may cause problems

So, I recently talked with a friend in my condo complex who has a family member who got a lung transplant at Mayo. He uses a local pharmacy that has personal delivery of meds. No mail, no FedEx, a dear, sweet delivery person calls in the morning of delivery to let me know she has meds for me and will deliver that day. Then, when she's 10 min away, calls to let me know ETA;
This works beautifully. I even had to have something on Sat and they had it delivered. they've been in business in Jacksonville for 40ish years, family business, and really on top of the process. They are in touch if I need to help by contacting the doctor or whatever.
I decided to switch when I realized transplant patients use them for all these reasons. They will even fill up a month of pill-boxes for me if I'm not able. that's wonderful. Although, I am doing this chore myself to be sure I have everything ok. I think through the years I've become very protective of this part of my medical care and have had so many problems in the past myself and for my son, I just have to know I have what I need when I need it.

I add my supplements and am careful to segregate certain supplements from certain meds, etc. My son, disabled, has insisted for several years his meds go to Walmart. This store doesn't deliver, so one of us has to go pick it up when ready. Yuck! No!
We had a crisis with one of his meds not being ready when he needed it and it caused a lot of trouble, so now he's decided to join me with O'Steen's Pharmacy. They deliver, I set them up for him for a month. I'm thrilled since now we don't have to worry about getting texts and getting to the pick-up in time, etc. I think we have finally gotten a system that's going to work well for us. Hallelujah!

Insurance covers the same, with no additional charges for the extra services. So far, after years of work, we got it!
Blessings, elizabeth