Yeah, that definately rocks. No one should have a medication that can save them, comfort them, or extend them withheld from them because they don't have the cash. I don't know about those specific meds cost here in Canada but the unemployed/unemployable get their meds paid for 100%. I have a good medical plan through work myself, others depending on income have a yearly deductible based on earning with for instance the individual being responsible for instance for the first $500 or $600 according to how poor or rich you are that year. Which ain't to bad really $600 divided by 12 months for all your yearly meds.

Insurance $625 per month, internist $35 visit, other docs $65. Oxygen 20% of $400 per month but coverage only after $2,000 annual deductible paid out. Same deal with tests, x-rays, hospital. Once $4,000 per year paid out of pocket, all but office visits & prescriptions covered at 100%. Prescriptions are $10/$25/$55 co-pay, I take 17 drugs every day. I have not worked since 2012 & will not get a disability hearing until summer 2015 due to backlog. By the end of this year, I will have no savings left & might lose my house. I am too young to apply for retirement benefits, so at that point I can apply for state medical assistance. Which none of my current doctors accept. So I will sell my car in the hope I can stretch that money from January until my hearing next year. But since there is no public transportation where I live, not having a car will be a huge burden.

It is not my intent for this to sound like a whine. Rather, I tell this because my story illustrates so much that is wrong in our system. My husband died in 2010 from complications due to hospital-acquired infection. We both worked & saved all our lives - we played by the rules. But there is no safety-net that's gonna catch me before I fall.

That so sucks caitsmom. Makes me feel like booking a flight and slapping around some bean counting beaurocrats while I still got the beef to do it.

So sorry to hear this once again....I still cannot understand why a first world nation treats people like that Caits......Im truly sad to hear this...

Maybe someone here has a few suggestions before you need to sell your car or lose your home...

Hugs Peter

caitsmom, don't get why they turned you down for ssdi. I had no problem due to pulmonary function test. if your breathing on pft is below what ss determines to be, you should get it right away. I had to stop work and had to pay great price for cobra, but now on Medicare and supplement ins which they have deductible also and end up having bills for what they don't pay. my heart goes out to you.

When my daughter and family lived in Australia, she was telling me about the healhcare system, and was amazed when compared to ours.
I think our system, is just greedy. Fat cat pharma and insurance have been making millions off us for years and are not about to stop now, even with obamacare.
So now they can not deny you coverage for pre existing condition but can charge you a triple higher rate for your needed drugs.
Caitsmom, why do you not be eligible for ssi? THat is a supplemental income for us poor folks that are not old enough for medicare, and it includes being insured with medicaide.
I know this because my ex is 58, has not worked in years, but applied and was accepted for ssi. They said he had asthma, but I disagree, however, he was accepted, so you should not have a problem. He gets all his meds free also. Really ticks me off when he goes to drugstore for me to pick up my meds and his, and I have to pay!!!
Anyway, we are in Texas and it may be different where you are, but check it out. Also, is this new insurance thing any good for you at all? I also have high copays, but better than the entire cost. I may be trying ADC next, if I can figure out how to do it without letting go to much personal info, like credit card, check ect.
BJ

It's reallly upsetting as a citizen of US that health care of any kind is expensive and even more expensive if there's a need. But I have discovered that with research, there are better options out there no matter how destitute you are. It means you try and try. Got turned down? find another and try and try, again and again.

CaitsMom, terrible monthly expenses! Waiting until the summer of 2015 re: disability! no savings, lose house, sell car - damn it all. There's got to be some help for you out there - maybe even a counselor who can help you work through this. It's got to be overwhelming. You need a boast to your day. (I hope you aren't as independent as I am - doesn't pay)

In a sense, we subsidize the rest of the world. Pharma has to negotiate prices with other countries to peddle their drugs. Not so in the US. Since the US government does not control the drug prices charged by big pharma, they are negotiated with the various and sundry entities (insurance companies and large medical suppliers). Whatever the cost is passed on to us - because all the entities in the chain are out to make a profit. Not so with government regulated pricing.
It is ridiculous enough that I buy my drugs overseas it my insurance mail order or the local pharmacy charges too much.

In spite of all that, here is another view from down there:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-02/australians-paying-14-times-more-for-prescription-drugs/5128028

There is always greener grass somewhere...

Hugs,
Dennis

Spiriva.....30 capsules. I pay around $70 I do not have Health Card but
if I spend I think $1 300 then all my medications would be free.

just to compare one packet of fags here is about $20.

Sending healing lights to all of you .

spiriva co-pay $45.00 Advair Diskus co-pay $45.00 Theophylline 24 co-pay $45.00 - PCP $30.00, Pulm Doc $40.00, x-rays $150.00 copay, ctscan co-pay $250.00, Mri co-pay $350.00 and that''s not the worst part. It's the part you don't pay that is killing all of us in the USA - These drugs range from $ 200 thru $ 350.00 that counts against you initiation in the famous donut hole where you get no coverage. Now these numbers are for people like me over 65 and on Medicare. On and first 5 days in hospital co-pay is $ 750.00 and naturally they make sure to get you out before that if they have to call a hearse to take you away. Was in the hospital last November and just got the lousy bills paid off. - Ruthie
They seem to go up every year. I've been with ADC ever since I heard about it on this site and I'm a person who really prefers to buy USA but my spouse and I just cannot do it.

I just have to jump in here regarding the costs of the drugs here in Canada. I am having a tough time paying for my drugs. Our plan in the province I am in is that I pay for the first $1000. then the gov't pays 70% until I reach $1300 per annum then they pay 100%. This is based on what THEY deem each prescription is worth, not what you actually pay. One of my sons gets me some things in Mexico that he can buy over the counter like Spiriva and Advair but only 3 months at a time. Otherwise there is the costs for me per month: Advair - $249 @ month; Spiriva - $84.30; Clopidogrel (prevents blood clots) - $33.41 @ month; Azithromycin (low dose antibiotic) - $60.48 @ month; Pantoprazole (acid reflux) - $28.43 @ month; Adldactone (water) - $15.63; Bricanyl (rescue inhaler) - $31.25 @ month; Atorvastin (cholesterol) - $26.49 @ month; Ventolin (rescue inhaler) - $26.23 @ month. On top of these, should I get a flare up I have to ad Avelox or moxifloxacin for 10 days for $92.03 and Prednesone for 12 days at $13.97. As you can see a pension of $500 a month does not make it. If I should become homeless, maybe these would be paid for! Did I mention that I also have to pay for the regular healthcare of $120 per month just so I can see a doctor or land in the hospital.
Yes Canada may have some good things in their health care but it sure seems to forget about the seniors who have worked their whole lives and now are struggling and wondering if it is worth continuing the battle to live.
Now how was that for a rant and rave! ha ha

That is partly why I have CPD at such a young age...I could not always get coveraged, and that led to be uncontrolled and left me in the ER with admission aprox every 6-8 weeks causing A LOT of damage. I used to live in NY and it could take up to 2 years to fet disability. I relocated to South Dakota...Just before I left, Aug 2009 I got really sick AGAIN and started the paper work to file the SSD claims...but fast forward to Dec 2 2009, Sick AGAIN...Hosptial Advocate FILED my Disibility for me here in SD. I started getting paid with Medicare coverage by March 2010....

I now pay about 50-60 for my meds alone....W/out coverage the Advair I take is 385 the Spriva is just as much if not more (its been a while since I have cashed priced it...All in all my meds out of packet is close to 1500 a month...That is rediculous...I CANNOT WORK...so can I (we) pay for this stuff....Blah...Thank Goodness for relocating to a very small town in SD

I have been ordering my meds from ADC for 3 years without any problems. I use my Visa card but you can also use a debit card or money order.
I just ordered Spirvia = Tiova inhaler version 9mcg so it is two inhales for $13.86
Pro Air = Ventorlin CFC inhaler 100mcg Albuterol for $4.50.

Most order 3 or 6 months at a time because they charge $25.00 to ship.

JeniRose, I'm on Medicare and I don't use ADC (AllDayChemist), but I've heard good things about it on this site which you should investigate. The members here that use ADC for their meds have no complaints (no reduction in effectiveness). The only downside appears to be ordering weeks ahead before you run out. And its suggested to get at least a 3 month supply due to delivery time and shipping cost.

ya know peter; now we all may move to australia ---watch out for an influx of americans LOL