Migraine

I'm an adjunct college teacher and just lost my health insurance. Up until now, I had a migraine specialist who prescribed Amerge and Naproxen for pain, something else for vomiting, and Pamelor for prevention -- plus steroids when I get a really bad migraine that won't go away. This combination wasn't perfect, but it's helped a great deal in alleviating my pain. Without the meds, I can get migraines that last for 3 weeks at a stretch and get progressively worse without relief. I lose work.

I tried to purchase my own healthcare from the same company (to keep my doctor). Since I have migraines, I was rejected from all but one plan that doesn't cover prescriptions. Today, when I went to the pharmacy (with a nasty headache already on day 3), I found out why. One box of Amerge (which has about 10 pills) is $200. I can't afford that!

I'm wondering if anyone else is insurance-challenged and has had to navigate the expenses of drugs, as well as which ones work and which don't? Without insurance and my meds, I'm terrified that I'm going to get a migraine that just won't go away and will debilitate me.

Sue,

Hello and welcome!

Was your insurance a group plan? I so, did you do COBRA to keep it while you searched for other insurance?

If you go from one group to another group with no break in coverage, I don't think you can be denied insurance based on a pre-existing condition.

Depending on your income level, without insurance, you may qualify for prescription assistance programs for your meds. Check out www.pparx.org

Welcome again!

Thank you for your response! Unfortunately, my insurance company (Kaiser Permanente in southern CA) did deny me coverage based on my migraines -- despite the fact that I enrolled in their individual program without any break in coverage. They did accept me for one of their plans -- the only one without prescription drug coverage (ugh!).

The links you gave me have given me new hope, though. It looks like my Amerge might still be pretty pricey, but it might be cut almost in half, which would make a big difference -- and would enable me to use it to get rid of the nasty migraines that come every so often.

Thank you for your help. What an amazing community you've built!

My doctor tells me to check the web sites of particular meds often--they have frequent promotions in which coupons are available online, and the coupons may even provide discounts off of insurance copays.

Isn't there a period of time when you can elect to get COBRA coverage from your employer? If your employer cancels your health insurance, aren't they required to offer COBRA in NYS? You have to pay for it, but it would be better than none at all?

Being an adjunct college teacher, isn't there anything the union can do for you? The teachers union in NYS is such a strong advocate for our teachers, maybe they have some good news for you. Just some thoughts.