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Home > No help for it, I must make myself employable

No help for it, I must make myself employable

February 12th, 2012 at 06:14 pm

Had a shock when I went to renew my prescription: $319 price tag. I did not have the money in my account, as it was the day before payday, had not activated the Flexible Savings Account debit card. It was a RENEWAL, and it was $175 more than what I paid in October. What petroleum or gold dust is in the prescription? Does a Health Savings Account mean the health insurer doesn't subsidize ANY of the prescription?

The prescription would be for 15 weeks. But still, when I've cut clothing, food, gas, entertainment, charity, telecommunications what do I do? Mortgage down $120 from last year, $42 now gone from the phone bill.

Thinking of selling what I can on Craigslist and eBay,
asking the spouse to take out only once a week money he'll need for the week, or half the money for lunch that he takes out each week.

Also considering going back to school to take bookkeeping and minor-level accounting or data processing analysis so I can take my skills north or to a rare small company employer that can offer health benefits.
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I am FreeCycling at any rate. This week is different from most: I awarded first dibs to people with transportation and mobility issues. Not intentionally, but just how the first responses looked. If you can't afford a car, or get outside your housebox, you have a greater need for the kindness of strangers.

8 Responses to “No help for it, I must make myself employable”

  1. Labdaemon Says:
    1329071105

    I've been reading lately that a lot of drugs are in very low quantities due to manufacturing issues. This is causing prices to rise significantly.

  2. Jerry Says:
    1329079059

    That is a huge hit on the Rx, is it not covered at all by health insurance? An HSA should be able to be utilized to lead to some lessening of the blow to the pocketbook, shouldn't it? Geez... what a mess. Sorry about that.
    Jerry

  3. My English Castle Says:
    1329082105

    Yikes! That's quite a hit. I look forward to reading about your plans--as always.

  4. snafu Says:
    1329089504

    Can you ask the doctor for samples to help with some of the cost? Is there a generic equivalent available? Have you checked the price at an on-line pharmacy? Is it cheaper to order the drug from Canada.

    There doesn't seem to be any relationship between cost and retail pricing. Perhaps we should all buy pharmaceutical stock.

  5. PauletteGoddard Says:
    1329092679

    I have asked my doctor in prior years for samples to help. Sometimes I am in luck, most times no. The doctor and I discussed online Canadian pharmacies: I would even drive to Canada to pick up -- it's only 100 miles away.

    I learned at debt group today that Flexible Savings Accounts typically come with a high deductible. Learning this didn't make the price go down, but it did alleviate my dissatisfaction.

    Buying stock is a good idea. Back in the olden days we'd be chasing 15% annual returns, now my expectations are so low 6% returns look good - if I make more than that per year I can sell some and use it to pay down my debt. Now that my e*Trade account is finally merging with TD Ameritrade, I will have more dough to invest.

  6. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1329106437

    OUCH. That is outrageous. I hope an alternative comes along for the next refill.

  7. LuckyRobin Says:
    1329115771

    Yes, I was going to comment that it was probably that you haven't met your deductible yet and once you had the cost would go down. Not that that helps you now. Isn't there any other drug that is less that works the same? Or is this already a generic?

  8. PauletteGoddard Says:
    1329177792

    I do have an alternative with the next refill: this first refill of 2012 is the most expensive. By the time I pay for the second one I will have reached my deductible. Whew! I also used the HSA Debit Card from Hades to use the pre-tax $100 paid into the account, and $217 for the rest. Not so bad.

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