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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: Madison Granny on March 05, 2012, 12:51:32 PM

Title: Prescription or OTC
Post by: Madison Granny on March 05, 2012, 12:51:32 PM
My Rheumy wants me to start take vitamin B12 and folic acid.  They are going to send me a prescription.  My question is will the insurance pay for something that you can buy over the counter?  I know they wouldn't when I was prescribed sodium bicarb.  I did ask him if they wouldn't could I get them over the counter.  He said yes but to try and see if they would fill the prescription first.  It' has better quality control.  We'll see what happens when I get the prescriptions.
Title: Re: Prescription or OTC
Post by: mshistory on March 05, 2012, 02:17:23 PM
I know my insurance won't cover anything available OTC  >:( My doctor prescribed a decongestant similar to one that is available without a Rx (but this one was Rx only) but because there was something SIMILAR available OTC, it still wouldn't cover it. Insurance companies drive me nuts.
Title: Re: Prescription or OTC
Post by: jazzlover on March 05, 2012, 04:06:43 PM
No, they won't. You could get B12 shots or the prescription form of folic acid.
Title: Re: Prescription or OTC
Post by: Madison Granny on March 05, 2012, 04:14:28 PM
That's what I thought when he said he was sending me the prescriptions.  But it never hurts to try and see wat my insurance company says.  I go back in 6 weeks and have my blood drawn again to see if I'm absorbing the B12.  If not then I get to have the shots.  He also mentioned something about peronic anemia.
Title: Re: Prescription or OTC
Post by: eyeamdry on March 05, 2012, 08:24:07 PM
This might be solving a mystery for me.  As of the new year, our insurance is making all kinds of changes.  I am getting notices on several of our meds.  Some are specific and tell you what the change is and other notices are vague and you have to go about a bunch of phone calls to know what they are talking about.

This letter I just got was about my folic acid that I take with Methotrexate.  I'll bet they are just telling me to "eat the cost."  I will re-read the letter and call the insurance company to make sure and I'll ask them if they know of something that would be covered or if I am out of luck.  I will also ask again on here.  Lucy
Title: Re: Prescription or OTC
Post by: jazzlover on March 06, 2012, 09:55:31 AM
Madison:

pernicious anemia
Title: Re: Prescription or OTC
Post by: Madison Granny on March 06, 2012, 01:34:11 PM
Thanks for the correct spelling.  I hope my body responds and use the B12 and folic acid so I don't have to have the shots.  But with SJS who knows?  This is going to be a long 6 weeks.  But I try to keep remembering that I will feel better and have more energy which ever why it turns out.