Medical Help For Friend

[Sandman]

A friend of mine just moved back to Oakhurst from out of state and had a serious health issue over the weekend. She had a blood clot in her leg and was rushed to an E.R. in Fresno. They said that it could be life threatening if the clot goes to her heart or brain. They gave her a shot and a kit to give herself shots on a daily basis. However, they also gave her a prescription for medication that she must have. The problem is that she does not have insurance and the prescription will cost her about $800!!!

Are there any organization that you know of that can help in a situation like this? She can't afford the medication but could die without it. I'm not in a position to help her right now. Any advise?

[Dodgergirl]

They should have given her information for low cost prescriptions at the ER. Emergency Medi Cal is an option, as is CMSP. I don't know the circumstances, but blood clots are especially dangerous (mom almost had a leg amputated due to one) They have non evasive ways of breaking them up, but it is costly. Has she contacted University medical Center? I believe they have a sliding scale.

Try the websites
http://www.madera-county.com/socialservices/medical.html
or
http://www.cmspcounties.org/

[only1alphafemale]

Up next to Elcids on highway 41, is the workforce social services agency for Madera county here in the mountain area.
She needs to go in there and get the paper work to fill out and make an appt to be seen ! to get her qualified to either CMSP or medical~ ( and then its still based on the medication being covered by either of these programs. ) but there are ways that they work around this. Either with generic drugs or by what the pharmacy calls a "tar" ~ not sure of the spelling of it, but thats how it sounds ~ Oh there may be a co-pay invovled ? if she working and makes more money that what they allow?

They can work her up as an "emergency" need situation ~ The redhead at the counter is a very sweet and helpfull woman!!!

Hope this helps! Also, Rural Health clinic, above the Emergency Room on the side, is also supposed to be a sliding scale office. Its where I go ~

[concerned1]

You could check with Wal Mart. They have a program of $4.00 prescriptions that they advertise on tv. My insurance covered my injections at the start of my blood clot treatment and the long term blood thinner that I am still on. Its worth a call to Wal Mart.

ALSO make sure you watch her diet. High Vitamin K foods are to be avoided while dissolving blood clots. Dk green leafy veggies, cranberries, cauliflower are not allowed. Hit the internet. Good luck. It can be done!

[monkey]

You can check to see if the prescription needed is available for $4.00 at WalMart on their website. I checked for the meds needed at our house, but unfortunately none of them are.

[BGW]

We have found the same to be true for us--none of the truly needed (also most expensive) meds have not been included in the Wal-Mart $4 plan.

I agree with the others on getting her signed up with CSMP

[cattledoggiemoon]

What? I cant believe they would release her with a blot clot.

They ultra sound my mom's legs each time she leaves the hospital for liability reasons. They double check her all the time for blood clots . Its a major risk to let someone leave with existing blood clots. or am i misunderstanding something?

[Sandman]

They released her with a blood clot. She can't even walk today. I helped her to get in touch with Social Services and I think she is on her way to getting help. Thanks for all of the replies. My aunt is also helping with the situation.

[Iris]

Sandman, I believe that some of the pharmaceutical companies have various programs to assist those in need. For instance:

Lilly Cares™

Lilly Cares is a patient assistance program provided by Lilly through the Lilly Cares Foundation. As part of the company's efforts to provide access to our products for legal U.S. residents regardless of their ability to pay, we created a program to offer free medication, through physicians, to patients who are otherwise unable to obtain our products. Lilly Cares assists patients who are uninsured and whose income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2006, the Lilly Cares Foundation, Inc. program responded to over 162,000 patients, valued at more than $161,000,000, for Lilly products. Most Lilly products are available through the program.

Eligibility is based on the patient's inability to pay and lack of third-party drug payment assistance, including insurance, Medicaid and government, community, or private programs and cannot be eligible for Medicare. Applications are available to anyone and must be completed and signed by the patient and the physician. Patients can download a blank application from the Lilly Cares website or applications can be faxed to you by calling 1-800-545-6962.

More detailed info may be obtained at the following web address:

http://www.lilly.com/products/access/direct_patient.html

Best of luck to your friend!

[only1alphafemale]

They released her with a blood clot. She can't even walk today. I helped her to get in touch with Social Services and I think she is on her way to getting help. Thanks for all of the replies. My aunt is also helping with the situation.

I hope she gets the help she needs! Will keep her in my prayers ! :yes: Did they send her home on blood thinners? Like either coumadin or warfrin?