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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Bipolar Abilify X2 (or 3)

Well, we went to see the PDOC and told him about how at first DH was almost manic, doing all sorts of things, then he started having more mood swings, and then how he just started sitting around again.

The PDOC decided that DH wasn't on enough Abilify (5 mg) so he decided to double the dose to 10mg. He said that after 2 weeks, if DH still wasn't doing "wonderful", then he should go up to 15mg. I'm a little skeptical, but this PDOC seems to know his stuff, so I'll trust him, I guess....

Then I went to the pharmacy to pick up the Abilify. YIKES. Cash price-$545.00 <--not a typo!!!!!

With the insurance copay, a month's supply cost $75. The last time I went to pick up medications at the pharmacy, it was $245.00, and that wasn't for the whole month. I've worked so hard to get the price of his meds down. When my health insurance changed the way they do copays, DH's meds were going to be about $900/month, but now we've got them "down" to $245(!). I have no idea where that extra $75 is going to come from. All I can do is keep telling myself that if DH gets better, maybe he'll get a job, or get on disability or something, and the benefits (pay) will outweigh the costs.

I can only hope!

5 comments:

Jeri said...

Our son was on Abilify and our insurance wouldn't pay for it as they don't pay for any psychiatric needs. Cost per month..$835! He was on 1.5 mg. I think so it was two separate amounts. I finally ordered them online from India but he started having weird new habits show up like having to tap the counters or tops of things he was walking around.

Queenneenee said...

My son just started Abilify and it is working great. He started on 5mg is now up to 10 and he is doing much better. Good luck at the higher dose, it worked for us.

perphila said...

I hope the higher does works. Having confidence in the pdoc is key for both of you. As for costs...good grief! We were lucky (or not) in the fact that Sean was given sample from the pdoc because he knew we couldn't afford them at the time. Of course Sean didn't stay on the meds long enough to run out of samples and have to pay for anything. I do know the insurance wouldn't cover them or not enough. I have been thinking about that in Connor's case if he should need them. I have heard of insurance that is just for perscriptions but haven't looked into it or how much it would cost. Might be something to check out.

Story of our Life said...

Does your dh qualify for SSDI?

It might take a while. It might take a few appeals. If he hasn't been able to hold a job and is not working when applyiing for SSDI that is at least a start.

This would then cover his medical portion of things. Not sure how much or how well. However, I have an idea (because we adopted a child who enjded up receiving SSDI for some of the same dx's and then some) all of his appts were paid nearly 100%. I think we paid $1-2 here and there.

juts a thought.

(((HUGS)))

Gala

Anonymous said...

WOW. I mean, I know that my drug (invega) costs 1000 perb ox in the us, but jesus, I didn't know people actually paid those prices.