Out of pocket

[Wayne]

I am not sure whether this is a blessing or not...well it is but let me explain.  We have always had our insurance through my wife's job, mainly because she has been there for a long time, and their coverage has always been better and cheaper than any of my employers.  Anyway, the company she works for starts to pay your co-pays after you reach a certain level out of pocket during the year, which most employees typically don't reach.  I believe it is based on a percentage of the employee's income, but I am not sure what that number is.  About 5 years ago, we actually hit the limit on my prescrips.  My wife was probably making about half of what she is now and I was on cellcept and some other meds, which if I recall correctly, my copay was like 100 dollars per refill on each of those.  Well this year, I think only one of my meds are not generic, only Nexium I think, so most of my copays are between 5 and 10 dollars each.     I forgot about the procrit!  Well, I went to pick up a prescrip today, and they said we had reached our out of pocket so it was free.  Now I realize that is awesome that her company picks up our end of the tab, but on the other side, isn't it scary to think that 9 months into the year, I have filled so many prescriptions that we have reached our out of pocket?   Seems kind of crazy.  Of course, as many of you know, that procrit isn't cheap, now that I think about it, that is probably the bulk of our out of pocket.  Please don't misunderstand what I am saying, I do feel it is a blessing that we have good insurance, but again, it is just scary to put into perspective that we have spent that much on prescrips...and I am not on d or even had a transplant yet!

[Sunny]

Can you imagine what it must be like for people who don't have good coverage for medications?
I hear stories of people cutting dosages in 1/2 to make medications last longer or people with transplants who can't afford to buy the anti-rejection meds once the 3 year post transplant coverage is up with Medicare. Thank goodness your wife has excellent health insurance. Make sure you don't lose it. Yes, kidney disease treatment can be very expensive.

[Run8]

Yes it is very scary how much it cost to have kidney failure. I have insurance though my employer and i also have medicare. Medicare being secondary. Never had to use The medicare because my private insurance covers me 100%. I tell all the guys at work not to complain about the $148.00 premiums because they are worth every cent when you need it.