Paying for Asthma Medicine
I have reduced my controller inhaler to a pediatric dose so that I can afford it for almost a year. My doctor reluctantly agreed to this if I agreed to not skip ANY doses. It barely helps, but it is this dose or none. US Medicare insurance sucks. I had better coverage with Affordable Care Act insurance.
Thank you for your post. I am sorry that you had to adjust your inhaler dose just so you can afford your inhaler. You are certainly not alone in having to make such adjustments due to insurance issues -- in your case Medicare. Although, I am glad to hear that your doctor was willing to work with you on adjusting your dose to help you afford your inhaler. That was very nice of your doctor to do this. Have you talked to your doctor about other options for you to reduce the cost of your medicines -- such as you might see in this post (https://copd.net/living/reduced-cost-healthcare)? Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator.
I did look into the alternatives, however, the inhaler I currently use (Advair) is the least "expensive" option. Maybe someday Medicare will push to reduce lifesaving lung medicines.
Hi betsy - thank you for your response to my good colleague, . I see he has suggested you read an article (for which he provided a link), which focuses on the financial impact medications can have for patientes.
I am glad to hear that Advair (which appears to be working for you at the pediatric dose), is available and affordable for you. We all are hoping that Medicare will become a bit more patient-financial friendly for some of the more expensive medications.
Wishing you well,
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
Can you try to contact the manufacturing company that makes Advair for financial assistance? I pray you find some other option soon to get the full dose you need to manage your asthma.
Hopefully,
, with the next round of The Inflation Reduction Act for inclusion of Medicare medications, lung medications will be included. It's terribly frustrating to know as you get older and depend more on medications, that they are NOT covered or difficult to afford. Sometimes I fear for my future as I am on several medications that are more than likely not covered in my later years.
Assuggested, there are programs that may assist. My SIL just retired and acquired Medicare - she has had a chronic illness for decades and is on very expensive medications. Through a representative, she was able to get grant money to help pay for it from PAN (Patient Assistance Network). Here's a link that may help https://simplefill.com/how-we-help/
I did just view a message from the pharm company GSK which produces Advair that states
"ADVAIR DISKUS, ADVAIR HFA, BECONASE AQ, FLOVENT HFA, FLOVENT DISKUS AND IMITREX NASAL SPRAY will be fully removed from GSK PAP for ALL PATIENTS effective 12/31/2023."
Though a disadvantage to asthma treatment - maybe other options are available. Here's a link with a list that may be of help. https://aafa.org/advocacy/advocacy-resources/patient-assistance-medicine-drug-programs/
Wishing you well - Rebecca (community moderator)
