r/Assistance • u/Aside_Dish REGISTERED • 1d ago
REQUEST Fired federal employee needs $600 to pay for life-saving blood thinners
Hey, guys. I am a federal employee who was fired last month as part of DOGE's cuts to the federal workforce. I have since been reinstated, however, my health insurance will take 4-6 weeks (!) to become active again, and I am unable to refill my Eliquis, which I take for my DVT. Out of pocket without insurance is $600, when I'm otherwise able to only get it for 10 with insurance and a co-pay card.
Found this out today, and of course, it happened just a day after my car had all kinds of trouble with a fuel pump issue. Paid what little savings I had to get that repaired, only to be told I can't refill my meds without paying this $600 today.
Just a timing issue more than anything, but unfortunately, Eliquis isn't something I can wait on. Blood clots are pretty severe in my legs, and they could break off and go to my lungs if I don't get my meds.
Anyways, just seeing if there's anyone out there who could possibly help. I hate resorting to this, but it's just been gut punch after gut punch these last few months and I'm out of options.
I can provide proof, if needed (and expect as much, of course!). Just trying to make it through this 4-6 week period before my health insurance is restored.
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u/stan_loves_ham REGISTERED 2h ago edited 2h ago
My FIL went through the same ins situation, called Dr office and got free samples (smaller size bottles) since they were almost 1K per bottle without insurance. They gave him 5 smaller bottles to last just in case Can you try calling and asking?
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u/Few_Grapefruit8377 13h ago
Are you able to apply for TCC coverage (federal employees version of cobra)? Once it is active you could have your Dr write a 90 day script fill it and cancel it so you would have enough to last until you get your normal insurance back. You would have to pay the total biweekly premium but it will still be significantly cheaper that paying for a 2 month supply of eliquis. From a quick search TCC would be $414 for just you for a 2 week period plus your eliquis copay.
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u/showerbeersforyears 14h ago
Look for Dispensary of Hope near you, they offer free medications to patients without active rx insurance. My pharmacy in NY does it and it’s a blessing.
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u/meditation_account 17h ago
I take Eliquis and have to pay out of pocket for it. I get it from Canada Drug Warehouse at a fraction of the cost because Canada can sell the generic version and the US can’t. Just google Canada Drug Warehouse and call them, they will ship it to your house.
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u/SunComeOutTumorrow 1d ago
I wanted to say that I work at a healthcare clinic and we have had some patients in very similar situations and our providers have been sending the scripts to Canadian pharmacies.
Specifically, they have been sending some Rx’s to this pharmacy:
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u/ILoveDickSuckins 1d ago
When my insurance was in active I went to my hematologist office and to my doctors office and they had extras they lent me. I've had a blood clot in my portal vein for over a year now. It's around 3 inches they said. I survived without eliquis for around 3 months and finally got extra from my doc/hematologist. Ration them till you can get your insurance up and running.
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u/CaitlinHenson1985 REGISTERED 1d ago
My boyfriend takes eliquis because he had a clot in his lung. His first prescription, they wrote it up as a "starter pack" and they have him a coupon for a free starter pack. It was 30 days supply
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u/JaneWeaver71 1d ago
OP…I’m on Eliquis and get mine for $5. Google “Eliquis $5 copay card”. They texted me a code to show the pharmacist within 30 seconds.
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u/Aside_Dish REGISTERED 1d ago
Unfortunately, you need insurance for the co-pay cards (that's usually how I pay). My insurance doesn't show up in the system yet.
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u/Procedure_Unique 19h ago
Have you asked your Dr if they have any free samples? Sometimes Drs have free samples of medications that they can give you. But a lot of the time you need to ask them for it.
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u/Classic_Abrocoma_460 1d ago
Eliquis offers a co-pay card that doesn’t require insurance and brings the price down to as little as $10
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u/ChewieBearStare 1d ago
Call your doctor and ask if they have samples. My dad couldn’t afford Eliquis after a hospitalization, and he was able to get samples from his physician and then switch to a cheaper drug later.
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u/bpdish85 1d ago
Search for Canadian pharmacies. https://www.rxconnected.com/drug/eliquis Here's one that has generic for $90 - you just need your prescription, they operate like any mail-order pharmacy.
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u/calebs_dad 1d ago
Is there a local pharmacy that might be willing to let someone else pay the bill? From what I'm reading it seems like chain pharmacies don't do this, but local ones sometimes do. I might be able to help, but I'd feel more comfortable paying the pharmacy directly given the amount.
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1d ago
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u/Oddveig37 1d ago
Hey that's... Like super dangerous to tell someone...
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u/DebbieDaxon 1d ago
Ask your doctor for samples.....
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u/Aside_Dish REGISTERED 1d ago
Is that a thing? Can't imagine any doctor would give 1-2 months of samples of an expensive med. Unsure how that works, though.
I know I was initially given a small sample when I first was diagnosed with DVT years ago
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u/stan_loves_ham REGISTERED 2h ago
Yes it is they usually have samples to give new patients, and in case some run out.
Call your Dr. Tell Dr what's going on, ask if they have a 30 or 60 day supply of sample bottles until your insurance kicks back in
My FIL has done it for his blood thinners, my eye Dr did it for some medicine I needed after glass cut under my cornea. It was super nice if them.
Just call explain to nurse if cannot talk to Dr and ask. They should be able to. They normally don't want you to risk it, and keep samples of meds
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u/TemperatureOwn5834 1d ago
It is! I'd absolutely let them know you're having trouble getting your medications. They can help. Most doctors can give you multiple from their sample stock and resources to help you continue getting your prescriptions. Source: I'm a chronically ill mom of a disabled 8 year old and have received assistance this way a couple times when between health insurance
Edit: the pharmacy can also help if you let them know. They will find any and all coupons and price deductions possible.
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u/DebbieDaxon 1d ago
Hubby got a month worth from his regular doc....then got a month from his cardiologist.. .Eliquis is crazy expensive....3 month cash price 2100 we pay 141....Thank goodness for insurance.......It's worth a try
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u/Antique-Call2024 1d ago
The manufacturer has two discounts available, a copay card and a Patient Assistance Program that might be worth checking into. There are also three places that might have coupons or offer a discounted rate: SingleCare, GoodRx and WellRx. I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you get your meds.
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u/Aside_Dish REGISTERED 1d ago
Unfortunately, I'm not eligible for the assistance program. Make too much on paper, even though I'm about to make $0, lol.
Learned about that program through a family member that works for BMS, and tried to get on it previously. And unfortunately, all the Rx coupons are about the same price (tried to attach a screenshot from GoodRx, but don't think I can in a comment here).
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u/Low-Crow-8735 1d ago
Are you still employed? Do you have insurance through your government job? When is the last time you worked?
Call 211
Talk to your doctor as others recommended. Call the assistance line.
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u/Swimming_Bowler6193 1d ago
Try calling the company. They are normally super helpful and may give you a month’s supply or samples if they have the RX & paperwork from your doctor after you explain what is happening.
https://www.eliquis.bmscustomerconnect.com/savings ( phone # is on this site)
Source- I dealt with them a few times over the years when I was caring for my mom before she passed. Everyone I spoke to over there was truly helpful.
Good RX does not give any significant discount on Eliquis.
But as a few others posted, try calling your doctor for samples. This had worked for my mom and one of her friends as well.
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u/Antique-Call2024 1d ago
Man, that sucks. I'm so sorry. The only other options I can think of is calling your doctor and explaining your situation and see if they have samples they can give you to hold you over. If not, maybe prescribing something less expensive until your insurance coverage kicks back in (like Coumadin/warfarin or heparin). Lastly, if you need food items, you could make an Amazon wishlist and post it here and then use your money for other expenses. The list can only go up to $150 and it has to be approved by the moderators. I wish I could help more than just commenting. Best of luck to you.
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u/Thy_Art_Dead 1d ago
This, I had to do it when I went into AFIB, this is years after a valve replacement. Seeing the price tag was shocker. The initial prescription will be covered at 0 as long as you meet criteria and follow up costs depend on certain things that I am not familiar with since I stopped the meds
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