I'm being laid off and need reasonable prescription coverage.?

Question

I'm 59 and will be off until I find another job with group coverage. I am uninsurable for individual insurance due to pre-existing health problems. I'm in Illinois, USA and COBRA and CHIPS are over $750.00 a month in premiums.

My prescriptions run about $1200 a month and certainly can't afford that on unemployment.

Are you aware of any drug coverage or general health insurance with drug coverage that is reasonabling priced?

Answer 1

No. I looked into this myself when my COBRA ran out, and I ended up purchasing medical insurance without prescription coverage at all.

Go to pparx.org. It's the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. PPA itself doesn't help you pay for prescriptions, but it's an organization that gathered info on programs that pharmaceutical companies have for helping patients who are unable to afford their medication. You can go to the PPA website, enter a list of the medications you take, and it will tell you if there are programs that can help you get your meds for free or at a discount. If there are such programs, they have links to the forms you have to fill out.

If that doesn't work, talk to your doctor. Many brand-name medications are given to doctors as samples, and while they wouldn't be able to just supply you with samples indefinitely, they might be able to help out on occasion.

Answer 2

I haven't found reasonably priced insurance that covers prescriptions as completely as I would like.
If Cobra covers your medications and is 750.00, it is still cheaper than paying 1200.00 for meds. Try to keep the Cobra until you find other health insurance.
Are you eligible for medicaid or public aid? While they don't cover all medications you may want to check into them for the ones you are taking.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I've heard of a company called Procard International.
I was actually going to get a job with them, but I didn't. I won't endorse them, but I think it's worth a shot.
It's not actual insurance, but it's supposed to be good for anyone with pre-existing conditions, etc.
There's health, hospital, accident, prescription & dental I think.

Answer 4

First, try and get your prescriptions changed to cheaper medications.
Second, many of the pharmaceutical companies have programs for poor people. They will sell the drugs for a steep discount or for free.
At your age, health insurance is almost unaffordable.
You can check medicaid, but the requirements are very strict.
Pretty much you are screwed until you reach age 65 or get a new job.
You should check out prescription discount plans.

Answer 5

Go to Ehealthinsurance.com. I've found my insurance there and they have reasonable coverage. I found a plan suitable to me that's 79 a month. It's individual insurance. Cobra bites *** (mine was 300+ a month!)