How to Cope With the Financial Burden of Pain Management
When you are living with acute or chronic pain, pain management can be very valuable; however, the cost associated with it can add stress to your life, which can actually increase your pain.
Even with insurance coverage, most people have deductibles and out -of -pocket expenses that they must pay.
There are several ways that these expenses can be dealt with.
First of all, sit down with an account rep for your pain management physician/center.
If your co-pay is higher than normal, explain your financial situation to him/her.
They may actually be willing to work with youto reduce, even eliminate the co-payment.
The same option also works with some physical therapy centers.
Depending on the ones you use, they may be willing to work for just the amount the insurance will pay.
It's rare, but definitely worth asking about.
Prescription pain medications can get really expensive, especially the newer ones on the market.
In my insurance provider's information booklet, it states that if they do not cover a particular drug that your physician has recommended, your physician can call them and discuss it with them.
They may be willing to pay for the medication under certain circumstances.
This applies to two medications that I have just been prescribed.
My physician is calling the insurance company to talk with them himself.
He gave me enough samples for the first month.
I am hopeful that he will be able to convince the insurance company that it is to their advantage for me to have these medications.
This brings me to the samples that your doctor can give you.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers provide doctors offices with lots and lots of samples.
They do this in order to entice the doctors to prescribe their products to their patients.
Often the doctors remember to prescribe the products, but they don't think to offer the samples.
It is up to you to ask for them.
I just left the doctors office this week, with a large bag that contained a full month's supply of three different medications.
One of these is a prescription that I have been on for over a year, but never had to buy, even once.
Over 80% of a physician's income usually comes from insurance companies.
If you are having a hard time paying your share, it is very important that you make payments every month.
If all you can pay is $5/mo, just make sure your do that.
They need and want their money, but as long as they see you are trying to pay at least something on it every month, usually, they will not turn you over to a collection agency.
I have paid off a lot, lot of medical bills by paying a very littleamount monthly on each one.
Even with insurance coverage, most people have deductibles and out -of -pocket expenses that they must pay.
There are several ways that these expenses can be dealt with.
First of all, sit down with an account rep for your pain management physician/center.
If your co-pay is higher than normal, explain your financial situation to him/her.
They may actually be willing to work with youto reduce, even eliminate the co-payment.
The same option also works with some physical therapy centers.
Depending on the ones you use, they may be willing to work for just the amount the insurance will pay.
It's rare, but definitely worth asking about.
Prescription pain medications can get really expensive, especially the newer ones on the market.
In my insurance provider's information booklet, it states that if they do not cover a particular drug that your physician has recommended, your physician can call them and discuss it with them.
They may be willing to pay for the medication under certain circumstances.
This applies to two medications that I have just been prescribed.
My physician is calling the insurance company to talk with them himself.
He gave me enough samples for the first month.
I am hopeful that he will be able to convince the insurance company that it is to their advantage for me to have these medications.
This brings me to the samples that your doctor can give you.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers provide doctors offices with lots and lots of samples.
They do this in order to entice the doctors to prescribe their products to their patients.
Often the doctors remember to prescribe the products, but they don't think to offer the samples.
It is up to you to ask for them.
I just left the doctors office this week, with a large bag that contained a full month's supply of three different medications.
One of these is a prescription that I have been on for over a year, but never had to buy, even once.
Over 80% of a physician's income usually comes from insurance companies.
If you are having a hard time paying your share, it is very important that you make payments every month.
If all you can pay is $5/mo, just make sure your do that.
They need and want their money, but as long as they see you are trying to pay at least something on it every month, usually, they will not turn you over to a collection agency.
I have paid off a lot, lot of medical bills by paying a very littleamount monthly on each one.
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