Health Insurance In Arizona (Phoenix, Yuma: low income, coupons, unemployed)

[Cookyman]

Wondering if somebody could please steer me in the right direction.
I'm sure others are in the same position.

I'm currently unemployed, and in need of seeing a Physician for a prescription refill for my high blood pressure medicine.
The Doctor I was seeing last, will not give me another refill without me coming in for an office visit.
Which, I totally understand.
At this time, I cannot even afford to pay for the office visit.
He doesn't accept payments.
I'm on a very limited budget due to me not working at the present time.

I know I can always go to a local hospital and go to the emergency room.
I'm not that type of person to go that route, and then get sent a $500.00-1000.00 bill for the emergency room visit.

I applied to Arizona Department of Economic Security for medical benefits.
Was told I wasn't eligible since I don't have any minors living in my home.
They basically pushed me off to AHCCCS, which doesn't seem like it's to much help either.

Can somebody please tell me how you handle this?
Thanks in advance

[khuntrevor]

hitch hike to Nogales (if you can't afford the van), bp medicine is dirt cheap. You don't need a passport, but birth certificate will speed you through. For many, weight loss will significantly lower BP. BTW, the bill you will get from the ER will be crazy high.....like 1700.

[modhatter]

You can also seek out a Hispanic clinic. They don't make appointments, and some base their charges on what people can afford. Ask around.

[LBTRS]

Does a Mexican written prescription work in an american pharmacy or do you have to smuggle the medication back into the US that you buy in Mexico? Now that I think about it, is it actually smuggling if you bought it in Mexico with a prescription and bring it back into the US?

[rational1]

Since you live in the US, the Mexico idea may unfortunately be the best way to handle it.

A trip to Mexico may well cost as much as a doctor's visit, however, and some drug companies offer free, or lower-cost, medicine to those that can't afford it.

[breakingbad]

I would call your pharmacy and ask them to call in for a refill. I would think if the insurance was low-cost or HMO the doctor's office would rather not be bothered and go ahead and approve a refill. If not, I would call your doctor's office and ask to speak to the office manager...how do they deal with this type of issue? I understand that there are federal/state laws as well as best practices they must follow, but surely they must have some idea on how to help you. Ask if there are any resources available and if they can refer you to any. MAybe a walk-in clinic in your area could help??
I used to vacation in Mexico a lot and always stocked up on antibiotics and retin-a...so purchase in bulk. You can walk across the border in Nogales quite easily (park at McDonald's), but I'm not sure how safe that is anymore - I felt vulnerable 5 years ago.
Good luck and keep us posted!

[khuntrevor]

you tell the ICE Agent what you bought.........no problem.

[Ponderosa]

I get my prescriptions in Mexico when I go for my dental work. No prescriptions are needed and border patrol asks what you are bringing in, so just tell them. Unless it is a controlled substance and the amount is reasonable, they don't bat an eye. You can go to Nogales, but Algodones near Yuma is probably closer and is definitely much safer. It is a medical tourist town. There are 15 pharmacies located within a block of the border. Parking is available just north of the border (about a block away) for $5 per day. Piece of cake.

[Cookyman]

Trying not to go the Mexico way.
Heard stories in the past about people not getting what they thought they were buying.
I remember one story years ago (think on 20/20) that people were buying perscription drugs that weren't actually the real thing. I also think that some of the scripts were laced with something to kill people.

[Jkgourmet]

Try calling these clinics to see if they will write you a prescription. The charges would be $0 - $80, plus the cost of the meds.

The Little Clinic
NeedyMeds Free Clinics List
Low-Cost & Free Phoenix Clinic

http://www.maricopa.gov/publichealth...ostClinics.pdf

Costco or walmart nearly always have the cheapest price for meds. And do check the manufacturer webpage for discount coupons or free meds for low income folks. Try to be sure you are receiving generic meds if possible. And keep trying to get onto AHCSS.

Re: Mexico for prescriptions. Antibiotics now require a script. They are not sold over the counter anymore, unless they are fakes.