Authorization And Prescription Request For Medical Benefit Drugs: Fill & Download for Free

How can one find affordable medications in the US and Canada?I posted this question to provide relevant information from Dr. Ken Pope’s phenomenal website.If you’d like to skip his truncated bio (and my barely contained adoration), you’ll find resources for affordable or free medications in the US and Canada here*.Dr. Ken Pope maintains an informative, comprehensive, and accessible website for American and Canadian mental health professinal consumers and clinicians (and special needs pets enthusiasts).He is a licensed psychologist, social justice advocate, award-winning author, and was a fellow of numerous American Psychological Association (APA) divisions until he resigned as a matter of conscience.His site provides critical information about: boundary and ethic codes; standards of practice; how clininicians “justify” unethical behavior: accessibility and disability resources for consumers and clinician; resources for military personnel, victims of torture, asylum seekers, and detainees; obtaining companion, emotional support, or therapy animals; and obtaining free or low -cost medications and affordable healthcare (and much more).I very highly recommend his credible, comprehensive, and labor-intensive website.*Here are some resources on finding free or affordable medications:Finding the Lowest-Price for Meds Online or in Your Area (includes finding free meds for those living in poverty)GOODRx allows you to type in the name of a medication and a city or zip code, which produces a search of the prices of that medication at the pharmacies in that area. Here is the link to GoodRx.DestinationRX will search for the lowest online prices for specific medications. (They do this for pet prescriptions as well as for human prescriptions.) Here is how they describe what they do: "http://DestinationRx.com is the leading online comparison shopping destination focused exclusively on prescription drugs, health, wellness, and beauty products. We provide a free membership service to help you lower the cost of your prescription medications with our proprietary comparison shopping technology, drug consultation software and pharmacy savings card program. We also help you find the lowest prices for health, wellness, and beauty products. We are not an online pharmacy. We provide consumers with the necessary information and savings services to help them save money on their prescription and drug store item purchases." Here is the link to DestinatinRX.http://NeedyMeds.com has collected information about opportunities for those with special financial needs. Here is how they describe what they do: "In this country there are many millions of people with no health insurance. There are many more people who, even though they have insurance, don't have the money to buy their medications. There is help available for these people. The Solution: Many drug manufacturers have what's called Patient Assistance Programs . These programs are designed to help those who can't afford their medicines obtain them at no cost or low cost. Unfortunately, many people, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and patients, don't know that these programs exist. Our goal is to solve this problem. Our website contains the latest, most complete, and most accurate information on patient assistance programs available. We regularly contact every drug company to check on the accuracy of our data. The information we have is obtained directly from the drug manufacturer." Here is the link to NeedyMeds.com.RxAssist provides information about programs for low-cost or free medications. This site also provides additional information such as the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Here's their description of what they do: "Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need. All in one place." Here is the link to RxAssist.TRICARE For Life (TFL) "provides expanded medical coverage for Medicare-eligible uniformed services retirees, including retired National Guard members and reservists; Medicare-eligible family members and widow/widowers; and certain former spouses if they were eligible for TRICARE before age 65." Here is the link to Tricare For Life.Benefits Check-up is an interactive site run by the National Council on Aging. Here is how they describe what they do: "BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day to find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services." Here is the link to Benefits Check-up.the official U.S. government site for Medicare is "the official U.S. government's site for people with Medicare." Here is the link for Medicare.gov.RxHope is a patient assistance program that helps physicians and others who prescribe medication to apply for, obtain and track requests for no cost medications for their patients when they are unable to afford them and do not have access to prescription insurance or other government-funded programs. According to the site, "RxHope is the only patient assistance Internet initiative financially supported by PhRMA (Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America) and participating pharmaceutical companies." Here is the link to RxHope.The Partnership for Prescription Assistance "brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.... The Partnership for Prescription Assistance will help you find the program that's right for you, free of charge. Remember, you will never be asked for money by a PPA Call Center representative, or on this Web site." Here is the link to Partnership for Prescription Assistance.Together Rx Access is sponsored by a number of large pharmaceutical companies for people who have no prescription drug coverage and are not eligible for medicare. It offers a free card to those eligible that provides discounts of around 25-40% on over 300 prescription medications (both brand name and generic) at participating pharmacies. Here is the link to Together Rx Access.Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs "is a public education project. It will help you talk to your doctor about prescription drugs, and find the most effective and safe drugs that also give you the best value for your health care dollar.... You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you and your doctor choose a Consumer Reports Best Buy Drug over a newer, highly advertised alternative." Here is the link to Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.SelectCare Benefits Network (SCBN) "is one of America's leading Patient Advocacy Organizations that specializes in patient assistance programs (PAP). SCBN gives prescription drug assistance by helping it's member patients locate, qualify for and successfully access hundreds of free prescription programs on an ongoing basis for only a fraction of the would be retail costs for those prescription medicines." Here is the link to SelectCare Benefits Network.www.kenspope.com

The bottom line, and short answer is cost.Health Insurance was not designed to provide total cost coverage for all health and drug expenditures. Insurance in general was designed to cover unexpected costs that are above and beyond those normally occurring in ordinary circumstances.While health insurance's purpose and role have changed dramatically, coverage of every type of medical service and prescription drug has not been a part of that change.Many factors affect which drugs are covered by which plans and the level of coverage offered. One example of this that comes to mind quickly is the coverage of Suboxone by United Healthcare. When I was employed at UHC and providing assistance to members in need of this drug, I observed the change in benefits taking place. Suboxone was no longer going to be covered, but instead Zubsolv would be covered. The driving factor for this in my opinion was an exclusive reimbursement agreement between UnitedHealth Group and Orexo.[1]The following information is about how prescription drug coverage works, the decision of which drugs will be covered, with regards to Medicare. The process is essentially the same for non-Medicare health insurance plans."Each Medicare drug plan has a list of prescription drugs (called a formulary)that it covers. Plans cover both generic and brand-name prescription drugs.The formulary must include a range of drugs in the most commonly prescribed categories and classes. This helps make sure that people with different medical conditions can get the prescription drugs they need. The formulary might not include your specific drug. However, in most cases, a similar drug should be available. If you or your prescriber (your doctor or other health care provider who’s legally allowed to write prescriptions) believes none of the drugs on your plan’s formulary will work for your condition, you can ask for an exception. See page 5 for more information on filing for an exception."[2]Often the insurance company will require you to use certain medications before providing coverage for another particular medication. You may be required to try 3 different medications before coverage will be provided for the medication you "want" or need. This process is Step Therapy.Step therapyStep therapy is a type of prior authorization. With step therapy, in most cases,you must first try certain less expensive drugs that are also approved for use for your condition before you can move up a “step” to a more expensive drug.For example, your plan may require you to first try a generic prescription drug (if available), then a less expensive brand-name prescription drug on its formulary, before it will cover a similar, more expensive brand-name prescription drug.However, if you’ve already tried the similar, less expensive drugs and they didn’t work, or if your prescriber believes your medical condition makes it medically necessary for you to be on the more expensive step therapy prescription drug, he or she can contact your plan to ask for an exception.See page 5 for more information on filing for an exception. If your prescriber’s request is approved, your plan will cover the step therapy prescription drug.Example of step therapyStep 1—Dr. Smith wants to prescribe a new sleeping pill to treat Mr. Mason’s occasional insomnia. There’s more than one type of sleeping pill available. Some of the drugs Dr. Smith considers prescribing are brand-name only prescription drugs. The plan rules require Mr. Mason to try a generic prescription drug first. For most people, the generic sleeping pill the plan wants Mr. Mason to try is also approved for use for Mr. Mason’s condition as well as brand-name sleeping pills.Step 2—If Mr. Mason takes the generic sleeping pill but has side effects, Dr. Smith can use that information to ask the plan to approve a brand-name drug. If approved, Mr. Mason’s Medicare drug plan will cover the brand-name drug for Mr. Mason.[3]What if my plan won’t cover a prescription drug I need?If you belong to a Medicare drug plan, you have the right to:Get a written explanation (called a “coverage determination”) from your Medicare drug plan if your plan won’t cover or pay for a certain prescription drug you need, or if you’re asked to pay a higher share of the cost.Ask your Medicare drug plan for an exception (which is a type of coverage determination). If you ask for an exception, your doctor or other prescriber must give your drug plan a supporting statement that explains the medical reason for the request (like why similar drugs covered by your plan won’t work or may be harmful to you).You can ask for an exception if:You or your prescriber believes you need a drug that isn’t on your drug plan’sformulary.You or your prescriber believes that a coverage rule (like step therapy)should be waived.You believe you should get a non-preferred drug at a lower copayment because you can’t take any of the alternative drugs on your drug plan’s list of preferred drugs. You or your prescriber must contact your plan to ask for a coverage determination. If your network pharmacy can’t fill a prescription as written, the pharmacist will give or show you a notice that explains how to contact your Medicare drug plan so you can make your request.A standard request for a coverage determination (including an exception) should be made in writing (unless your plan accepts requests by phone). You or yourprescriber can also call or write your plan for an expedited (fast) request.If you disagree with your Medicare drug plan’s coverage determination or exception decision, you have the right to appeal the decision. Your plan’s written decision will explain how to file an appeal. You should read this decision carefully, and call your plan if you have questions. For more information on Medicare appeal rights, visit http://Medicare.gov/appeals.You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call1-877-486-2048.[4]Footnotes[1] Press releases - Orexo[2] https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11136.pdf[3] https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11136.pdf[4] https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11136.pdf

Why do you want to get diazepam from Mexico . While it is the same exact medication sold in the U.S. .Diazepam is inexpensive . I sometimes prescribe it when a patent cannot afford clonazepam a more expensive long acting benzodiazepine .While some use Valium recreationally. It is not really a potent benzodiazepine .I has pleasant effects on benzodiazepine naive patients .It is not what most would call a high that people will seek. I sometimes prescribe it for a sprain instead of Flexeril, generic cyclobenzaprine and other mild muscle relaxants for a mild sprain or torn muscle . It is safer than ibuprofen which will prolong healing and is often taken in large quantities resulting in at minimum GI distress ,asthma attacks in asthmatic patients those with allergies that effect the respiratory system . Both can be life threatening and cause permanent damage when the attack cuts off respiration to vital areas .I am aware of certain patients who choose to get benzodiazepines from Mexico or Canada for reasons I will not mention . But they are legit and are a direct result of the failed drug war which we have been waving for over 100_years . Nixon created the term War on Drugs .I'm reality a way to use law A , and the prison industrial complex to go after Blacks and Hispanics along with the anti VietNam war democrats and libertarians.If you need benzodiazepines see a doctor who will listen to you .Do not ask for a medication by name . Ask what the recomend . While the opioid hysteria and moral panic has also been slowly attacking benzodiazepines it is still possible to get a prescription. Xanax ,Klonopin, Ativan and Valium are among the most prescribed medications in the world as well as the US. When used responsibly they are very safev. It is all but impossible to overdose on benzodiazepines alone . They can help relieve so!e pain in large number of conditions. Despite the hysterical and based on junk science or a overactive imagination and or a desire to use Suboxone as a pain medication . Yes I have seen Buprenorphine prescribed for grade 2 spraines in a knee and ankle . That how far we can go with the opioid hysteria and the idea Suboxone is the next “miracle or wonder drug “ for all your aches pained and even cures addicts poor choices a d behaviors . Just get ever one dependant on Buprenophine and in and out addiction treatment .Which is where you OP might find yourself if you are trying g to get a benzodiazepine from Mexico to use recreationally. While I relive benzodiazepines should be available with out a prescription sold behind the counter to prevent theft and minors from buying or stealing them This would save billions by reducing the number people who do not need to see a doctor .sIt is a daily request for a few benzodiazepines for traveling on commercial flights which are becoming increasingly stresful. Benzodiazepines help with PTSD . Often people who have seen combat will decline help from a psychiatrist as they rightfully fear loss of their second amendment rights .The left has been eroding our gun rights since the 1900s .The prohibition gave rise to organized crime .The criminals who filled the demand for alcohol used automatic weapons to defend t from other criminals and law enforcement . Woodrow Wilson the grandfather of progressive politics and the erosion of rights from the left . Is often considered the first progressive to begin rehab the faile d drug war and he me government violence to impose progressive policies on us . 100_years later we still have not learned .If you have a medical condition that benzodiazepines will help and live near Mexico . Yes you can get up to ,90 days supply and legally bring them to the U.S. Through a poet of entry . Please do not abuse this money saving policy.Many who love near the Mexican border have low incomes and do not benefit from the ACA (Obama care) and male a trip to Mexico . There are many areas the Narco Trafico Terroristas have not brought their special version of help on earth to . Cuervanaca a city in a high valley . Like Medillen it is known for its year round spring weather .Artists _Mucsiams , authors ,and students from across the world co!e to visit . It is one of my favorite places in Mexico . Do not use Mexico's low prescription drug prices and a desire to get high as a way to bring even .ore corruption,chaos and violence to a country which is paying a very steep price e for the failure known as the war on drugs some drugs . A failure we have been imposing on every nation.