State-Funded Healthcare Recipients –

Not All Meds are Covered

State-funded healthcare recipients qualify for their medical care based on low income. While most procedures, doctor visits, and hospitalizations are covered without copays, not all prescriptions are eligible for payment. Generally, if there is an over the counter remedy available to treat the same condition or symptoms, Medicaid and state-funded healthcare programs will not cover a prescription. Unfortunately, this often leaves already financially strapped patients with few options. In some cases, buying the appropriate over the counter medication is not sufficient to treat their condition, otherwise their healthcare provider would have recommended the over the counter solution.

For example, those who suffer severe allergies often cannot derive sufficient relief from over the counter antihistamine medications. Their allergic reactions may include severe hives, sinus pain or pressure, and other symptoms that are too severe or simply do not respond to over the counter medications. As a result, their doctor may prescribe stronger antihistamines or allergy control medications. These medications may be the patient’s only hope for lasting, meaningful relief and control of their allergy symptoms. If Medicaid or state-funded healthcare insurance refuses coverage for these medications, the patient is left untreated and suffering.

There are options which allow the healthcare provider to state the medical necessity of the prescription medication. However, these waivers and authorizations take time. In some cases, it could be days or weeks before authorization paperwork is completed and approved. In the meantime, the patient goes untreated and their condition can worsen. In the case of allergic reactions involving hives, this can leave a patient open to secondary infections from broken skin. The patients only choice may be to pay full price for their own prescriptions until the proper authorization paperwork can be completed. During the interim, a Canadian pharmacy might be the answer.

Canadian pharmacies can provide discount drugs for conditions such as severe allergies. They can also provide other needed, but not covered prescription medications. Patients can order these medications from a Canadian pharmacy online, which offers both monetary savings through discounts as well as the convenience of order medications from home. Online pharmacies offering Canadian prescription medications can potentially save Medicaid patients substantial out of pocket expenses. Given that these patients are often financial strapped as it is, saving money by ordering Canadian medicine can make the difference in whether or not the patient is able to treat their condition while awaiting approval from Medicaid or state-funded healthcare.