Abuse Recovery

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Even though this about depression, a lot of the info can also be used for anxiety disorders as well. Wal-mart Offers $4 Prescription Meds Wal-mart announced a plan yesterday that could be a big help for those without medical insurance, including seniors affected by the "doughnut hole" coverage gap in their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. They will be making nearly 300 generic drugs available for $4 a prescription for up to a 30-day supply at commonly prescribed doses. Among the drugs available which could benefit depression and manic depression patients are Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Fluoxetine, Carbamazepine, Lithium Carbonate, Nortriptyline and Trazodone. Currently the program will only cover 65 Walmart, Neighborhood Market and Sam’s Club locations in the Tampa Bay, FL area, but plans exist to expand to the entire state of Florida by January 2007 and to extend to as many states as possible next year. $4 Generic Drug List:http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Floridagenericdruglist.pdf Participating Stores:http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Floridastorelist.pdf http://depression.about.com/b/a/257642.htm How to Get Free or Low-Cost Treatment for Depressionhttp://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htmhttp://dep… From Nancy Schimelpfening, Your Guide to Depression. Online Resources Perhaps the only thing worse than depression is having depression and not being able to afford treatment. I frequently get letters from those of you who are in just this predicament. I’ve collected here all of the free and low-cost resources and ideas that I have come across in the past couple of years. I will continue to add more as I find them. If you have a suggestion for something that I’ve overlooked please write to me at LOW COST MEDS Pill Splitting – An article in the September 1999 issue of Clinical Psychiatry News reports that you may be able to purchase a higher dose pill at a cost only slightly more than the dose you’re currently on and split them in half. In a presentation to the APA, it was reported that patients can save an average of 37% off their current medication costs by pill splitting. A list of the medications surveyed included popular antidepressants. FREE MEDS Needy Meds – This site is a bit difficult to navigate, but all the information you need to get your meds for free can be found by clicking the name of your drug in the list on the left side of the page. They are also trying to sell a book, but all the same information can be found on their web site for free. Appears to be frequently updated. The Medicine Program – If you do not have insurance and do not qualify for government programs you may qualify to enroll in a privately sponsored program. There is a $5.00 processing fee for each medication requested through this organization, but the medications themselves are free. Volunteers staff this organization and the processing fee covers their expenses. They are basically contacting the drug manufacturers on your behalf. You may also contact these companies directly using the information provided in the following link. Free Samples – Often pharmaceutical companies provide physicians with free samples. Ask your doctor is he/she has any samples on hand of your medication. I used to get all my Buspar this way. LOW COST TREATMENT Sliding Scale Fees – Some providers may have sliding-scale fees. Based on your income, the provider will reduce his or her fees. Negotiate a Lower Fee with Your Doctor – Other providers, if they are aware of your financial limitations, may be willing to negotiate a payment plan that you can afford or to lower their rates according to what your insurance plan pays. CommunityMental HealthCenters – Many communities have communitymentalhealthcenters (CMHCs). These centers offer a range ofmental healthtreatment and counseling services, usually at a reduced rate for low-income people. CMHCs generally require that you have a private insurance plan or be a recipient of public assistance. For more information about CommunityMental HealthCenters: National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320 Rockville, MD 20850 voice: 301-984-6200 fax: 301-881-7159http://www.nccbh.org/ Pastoral Counseling Programs – Your church or synagogue can put you in touch with a pastoral counseling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information about Pastoral Counseling Programs: American Association of Pastoral Counselors 9504-A Lee HighwayFairfax, VA 22031-2303 voice: 703-385-6967 fax: 703-352-7725http://www.aapc.org/ SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS Another option is to join a self-help or support group. These groups give people a chance to talk about and work on their common problems-such as alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, family issues, and relationships. Self-help groups are generally free and can be found in most communities. You may also join an online support group right here at About. We have a support group meeting 24 hours a day in our chat room. For more information about Self-Help Groups: American Self-Help Clearinghouse Northwest Covenant Medical Center 25 Pocono Road Denville, NJ 07834-2995 voice: 201-625-9565 fax: 201-625-9565 http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/ NationalMental HealthSelf-Help Clearinghouse 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000 Philadelphia, PA 19107 800-553-4KEYhttp://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm More Resources PUBLIC ASSISTANCE People with severe mental illness may be eligible for several forms of public assistance, both to meet basic costs of living and to pay for health care. Such programs include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and disability benefits. For information about Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits call:Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. SSA Web site:http://www.ssa.gov/ Medicare – Medicare is America’s major Federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and for some with disabilities who are under 65. It provides basic protection for the cost of health care. Two programs can help people who have low incomes receive benefits. Medicaid – Medicaid pays for some health care costs for America’s poorest people. More information about Medicaid and who is eligible for it is available at local welfare and medical assistance offices. Although there are certain Federal requirements, each State has its own rules and regulations for Medicaid. The Medicaid Clearinghouse contains links to information for individual states. BECOME A RESEARCH SUBJECT Many research programs for new meds and treatments will provide free treatment for participants. The downside of this is you run the risk of getting a placebo or an unproven treatment, but if you have nothing to lose take a look at Research Subjects Needed. This page currently lists several different research programs all around the US and Canada. FREE CLINICS If anyone knows of other free clinics around the country, please email me and I’ll add them to the list. Haight Ashbury Free Clinic- This free clinic in San Francisco provides services for general health care, HIV, homeless people,mental healthcare and substance abuse recovery. Locating Other Free Clinics – The National Free Clinic Directory and A Free Clinic: Starting Out (a manual on how to start free clinics) are published by The Free Clinic Foundation of America and the Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke, Virginia. You can reach them at: Free Clinic Foundation of America 1240 Third Street, SW Roanoke, VA 24016 Phone (540) 344-8242 Fax (540) 342-0220 FURTHER RESOURCES For more information about paying formental healthcare, contact: Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) P.O. Box 42490 Washington, DC 20015 800-789-CMHS (2647) 800-790-CMHS (2647) (electronic bulletin board)http://www.mentalhealth.org/ National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015 Arlington, VA 22203-3754 voice: 703-524-7600 fax: 703-524-9094http://www.nami.org/ National Empowerment Center 20 Ballard Road Lawrence, MA 01843 voice: 800-769-3728 fax: 508-681-6426 http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx_2.htm "I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn’t work. I felt pretty good for a while, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality."   ~~ Mitch Hedberg — The charter is available at:http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

I don’t see anything about Northern Virginia Community College (located in Fairfax Virginia) on this list.  Do they do anything to help reintegrate mentally ill people back into the community? — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Even though this about depression, a lot of the info can also be used for anxiety disorders as well. Wal-mart Offers $4 Prescription Meds Wal-mart announced a plan yesterday that could be a big help for those without medical insurance, including seniors affected by the "doughnut hole" coverage gap in their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. They will be making nearly 300 generic drugs available for $4 a prescription for up to a 30-day supply at commonly prescribed doses. Among the drugs available which could benefit depression and manic depression patients are Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Fluoxetine, Carbamazepine, Lithium Carbonate, Nortriptyline and Trazodone. Currently the program will only cover 65 Walmart, Neighborhood Market and Sam’s Club locations in the Tampa Bay, FL area, but plans exist to expand to the entire state of Florida by January 2007 and to extend to as many states as possible next year. $4 Generic Drug List: http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Floridagenericdruglist.pdf Participating Stores: http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Floridastorelist.pdf http://depression.about.com/b/a/257642.htm How to Get Free or Low-Cost Treatment for Depression http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx_2.htm From Nancy Schimelpfening,

Your Guide to Depression. Online Resources Perhaps the only thing worse than depression is having depression and not being able to afford treatment. I frequently get letters from those of you who are in just this predicament. I’ve collected here all of the free and low-cost resources and ideas that I have come across in the past couple of years. I will continue to add more as I find them. If you have a suggestion for something that I’ve overlooked please write to me at LOW COST MEDS Pill Splitting – An article in the September 1999 issue of Clinical Psychiatry News reports that you may be able to purchase a higher dose pill at a cost only slightly more than the dose you’re currently on and split them in half. In a presentation to the APA, it was reported that patients can save an average of 37% off their current medication costs by pill splitting. A list of the medications surveyed included popular antidepressants. FREE MEDS Needy Meds – This site is a bit difficult to navigate, but all the information you need to get your meds for free can be found by clicking the name of your drug in the list on the left side of the page. They are also trying to sell a book, but all the same information can be found on their web site for free. Appears to be frequently updated. The Medicine Program – If you do not have insurance and do not qualify for government programs you may qualify to enroll in a privately sponsored program. There is a $5.00 processing fee for each medication requested through this organization, but the medications themselves are free. Volunteers staff this organization and the processing fee covers their expenses. They are basically contacting the drug manufacturers on your behalf. You may also contact these companies directly using the information provided in the following link. Free Samples – Often pharmaceutical companies provide physicians with free samples. Ask your doctor is he/she has any samples on hand of your medication. I used to get all my Buspar this way. LOW COST TREATMENT Sliding Scale Fees – Some providers may have sliding-scale fees. Based on your income, the provider will reduce his or her fees. Negotiate a Lower Fee with Your Doctor – Other providers, if they are aware of your financial limitations, may be willing to negotiate a payment plan that you can afford or to lower their rates according to what your insurance plan pays. Community Mental Health Centers – Many communities have community mental health centers (CMHCs). These centers offer a range of mental health treatment and counseling services, usually at a reduced rate for low-income people. CMHCs generally require that you have a private insurance plan or be a recipient of public assistance. For more information about Community Mental Health Centers: National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320 Rockville, MD 20850 voice: 301-984-6200 fax: 301-881-7159 http://www.nccbh.org/ Pastoral Counseling Programs – Your church or synagogue can put you in touch with a pastoral counseling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information about Pastoral Counseling Programs: American Association of Pastoral Counselors 9504-A Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22031-2303 voice: 703-385-6967 fax: 703-352-7725 http://www.aapc.org/ SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS Another option is to join a self-help or support group. These groups give people a chance to talk about and work on their common problems-such as alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, family issues, and relationships. Self-help groups are generally free and can be found in most communities. You may also join an online support group right here at About. We have a support group meeting 24 hours a day in our chat room. For more information about Self-Help Groups: American Self-Help Clearinghouse Northwest Covenant Medical Center 25 Pocono Road Denville, NJ 07834-2995 voice: 201-625-9565 fax: 201-625-9565 http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/ National Mental Health Self-Help Clearinghouse 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000 Philadelphia, PA 19107 800-553-4KEY http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm More Resources PUBLIC ASSISTANCE People with severe mental illness may be eligible for several forms of public assistance, both to meet basic costs of living and to pay for health care. Such programs include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and disability benefits. For information about Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits call:Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. SSA Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/ Medicare – Medicare is America’s major Federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and for some with disabilities who are under 65. It provides basic protection for the cost of health care. Two programs can help people who have low incomes receive benefits. Medicaid – Medicaid pays for some health care costs for America’s poorest people. More information about Medicaid and who is eligible for it is available at local welfare and medical assistance offices. Although there are certain Federal requirements, each State has its own rules and regulations for Medicaid. The Medicaid Clearinghouse contains links to information for individual states. BECOME A RESEARCH SUBJECT Many research programs for new meds and treatments will provide free treatment for participants. The downside of this is you run the risk of getting a placebo or an unproven treatment, but if you have nothing to lose take a look at Research Subjects Needed. This page currently lists several different research programs all around the US and Canada. FREE CLINICS If anyone knows of other free clinics around the country, please email me and I’ll add them to the list. Haight Ashbury Free Clinic- This free clinic in San Francisco provides services for general health care, HIV, homeless people, mental health care and substance abuse recovery. Locating Other Free Clinics – The National Free Clinic Directory and A Free Clinic: Starting Out (a manual on how to start free clinics) are published by The Free Clinic Foundation of America and the Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke, Virginia. You can reach them at: Free Clinic Foundation of America 1240 Third Street, SW Roanoke, VA 24016 Phone (540) 344-8242 Fax (540) 342-0220 FURTHER RESOURCES For more information about paying for mental health care, contact: Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) P.O. Box 42490 Washington, DC 20015 800-789-CMHS (2647) 800-790-CMHS (2647) (electronic bulletin board) http://www.mentalhealth.org/ National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015 Arlington, VA 22203-3754 voice: 703-524-7600 fax: 703-524-9094 http://www.nami.org/ National Empowerment Center 20 Ballard Road Lawrence, MA 01843 voice: 800-769-3728 fax: 508-681-6426 http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx_2.htm "I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn’t work. I felt pretty good for a while, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality."