Any ideas as to how one can get a prescription written without insurance?

[Contrary1]

My friend has been without a job for over 5 months now. Her prescription refills have run out. She is now not taking two different drugs to control blood pressure, and another one for her thyroid.

Her blood pressure is running on the high end of normal, which is interesting. It usually ran high while she was on the meds.

But, she would really like to get back on the thyroid med. Her hair is thinning, she is very moody, headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite.

Her doctor refuses to write a prescription without a complete blood workup, and exam. I can understand where he is coming from, but without insurance; she can not come up with the $200. or more, these tests will run.

She has signed up for HIP, which is a program for residents in Indiana, who have no health insurance. It will be at least 45 days before she hears back from them.

For less than $10. a month, she could function better. So, now what?

I guess the Republican health plan calls for her to do without until if, or when she can get some help. Gosh, maybe she will just die and not be a burden on society at all.

I know it's petty of me, but I wish the same on one or more of them.

[Donnachaidh]

1. Tell her to call United Way

Explain the situation to them and they may be able to refer her to a clinic, or charity that will help.

[underpants]

2. Call the manufacturer- many have support programs. OR check out this site

http://www.needymeds.org/

I don't know if it will help but it is worth a shot. Also call the local pharmacy and see if they have any ideas.

[octothorpe]

3. I was in the same situation with a thyroid issue

I just found a new doctor and got some help from my family to pay for the appointment. The doctor gave me some sample pills until I could afford it. I also signed up for a prescription program at my pharmacy so that my meds only cost $10 instead of the $40 they would have cost.

If she can't get the funds to go to a different doc, could she try some sort of free clinic in the area? I remember going into one about five years ago when I was in a pinch back then. They took me in and I didn't have to pay anything, and I don't recall waiting except for the day I went in. That was in NY though.

[onethatcares]

4. she could buy a pistol and rob a pharmacy.

that'll get her some time in a state prison, the thing she has to do is plead guilty as soon as she goes to arraignment. when her plea gets denied there and she gets carried over to trial, she'll get meds in jail to keep her alive until a sham trial is held and they find her eligible for prison.

there she should continue to get the meds she needs in order for her to pay her debt to society. Gaud, I'd like to insert a sarcasm emoticon here but I can't

I feel so sorry for your friend, I'm serious. this country has a bunch of fucked up ideas as to how we should be treated.

[Lars39]

5. See if there are any government clinics near her.

They're not state health departments, but federal health clinics. My SIL has been able to get a wider range of health problems taken care at one. My connection is crawling right now or I'd give you the link.

[bluestate10]

6. Online Meds can be purchased from outside US pharmacies. BUT!!

You friend appears to have a serious medical condition that is appropriately treated by a doctor that is testing her face to face. Online "doctors" have patients fill out health and condition surveys with which they prescribe medicine. That process has minimal risk for say, a prescription foot cream when one know what to order. But your friend falls into a life or death category. Not to sound callous, yes republicans are evil. But $200 is not a large amount of money for two people and some help from some others to come up with. Pass the collection hat and get your friend the right medical treatment until she gets into the state program.

[rubberducky]

7. Don`t know about other staes, but here in MI she could call 211.

They will help, I know personally. I`m not sure about other states, but when all else fails here you can find help at 211.

[Horse with no Name]

8. Planned Parenthood.

Really. Tell her to go get her well-woman exam that I am sure she needs. They will do bloodwork.
The NP can write the prescriptions that she needs.

[Lucinda]

9. Ask your local hospital if there is a local indigent clinic

You can often see a doc free of charge at an indigent clinic. Most seem to scale charges based on income, and our local clinic is only for people without insurance.

[Tx4obama]

10. Have her ask her doctor if he will do the tests and let her pay him so much per week. n/t

[RebelOne]

11. Online at sites like this.

www.noprescriptioneeded.com/default-111710.asp

I hate going to the doctor and needed blood pressure meds. Every time I visited, he wanted to do more blood work and tests, which I thought were unnecessary. So. I just went online and searched for somewhere I could get my meds without a prescription.

[Yo_Mama]

12. Her doctor is right

Look for a clinic. Thyroid medicine can kill you, and it is gross malpractice to keep prescribing it without the workups.

For the lab testing, a bunch of people are out there without insurance. There are cheaper labs out now that do testing for individuals at a much lower price (similar to that paid by insurance companies).

If she's in Indiana, this lab might work for her (note, I've never used it, and I can't recommend it).
http://www.personalabs.com/cheap-lab-testing-indiana.aspx
Google for all the alternatives. The Thyroid panel this one is offering is $45.

I think with a clinic and careful lab selection, she can get this done more cheaply.

Also, Quest Diagnostics, which is a good lab, has a Patient Assistance program:
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/patient/FinancialAssistance/index.html

Best of luck to her.

[Contrary1]

13. Thank you for all the great suggestions...

I will tell her to check them out.

Unfortunately, my friend refuses to accept any more financial help from us. When she lost her job, and had her home foreclosed on a couple years ago, my husband and I paid off her car loan so she wouldn't lose it as well. She feels badly that she hasn't been able to start paying us back.

I have managed to sneak a few bucks into her purse every now and then, but only in small amounts, so that (hopefully) she thinks it might have been cash she overlooked.

So many people I personally know are having such a bad time right now...I feel a bit helpless.

[Horse with no Name]

14. When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own. ~Author Unknown

Bless you for the help you have given.