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I work as an Independant Contractor and, therefore, cannot afford health insurance. I was diagnosed with RA three years ago and lost my health insurance two years ago. Is there anything I can do or take that is over the counter to asist with my pain and inflamation?
There are several options that I found when I was without health insurance. I had just graduated and lost my student health insurance and had recently moved to a new state and was job hunting. I was denied insurance by two different private insurers because of my pre-existing conditions.
1. Your state might have a state health insurance plan for people who either a) can't afford private health insurance or are denied health insurance for prior conditions. This is not the same as welfare or medical assistance. Maryland's plan is called the State Health Insurance Plan. I had to provide proof of residency for at least 6 months and supply enrollment denial letters from at least 1 other health insurance company, but then I was enrolled and was able to find a new rheaumtologist in the area and resume my prescriptions. My eligibility for MHIP ended when I began my current job and my employer-sponsored health insurance became effective.
2. Some drug manufacturers provide assistance to people without health insurance or whose health insurance doesn't cover certain drugs. I learned about this from my rheumatoligist when she wanted me to start taking Humira. It might be worth talking to your rheumatologist about treatment and funding option. He/she can help you find out which drug manufacturers have these programs and help you get the applications.
3. Unfortunately, I can't definitively give OTC recommendations because I haven't found anything OTC that works really well for me. But we're all different.
