Paying for Suboxone
 

Hello, I am desperate to get into a suboxone program. I was let go of my previous job and have no real source of income and haven't for a few months now. The only way I was paying for drugs was selling them also but I have pretty much ran through that money to and I want to quit. The last time (which was also my first time) that I quit, I made it fourty days clean. I realy would like to get into a suboxone program as well as work with a therapist to make better habits, and work issues that cause me to use.
My problem is that, as you all know, doctors do not take insurance for suboxone. I simply do not have the money for these programs. I got a job a week ago but let go today because I was so tired all the time. I had been planning on trying to pay for a program with money from that job. I was wondering if anyone knew of any possibilities for assistance, maybe organizations that fund people who have this much of a problem to pay for it? There must be some sort of help in place I just have been unable to find any information. If people could give me ideas of whats out there and maybe numbers I could call I would like to figure this out ASAP. I am desperate. If it helps I live in Boston, MA. Seriously any help would be appreciated. I am just feeling scared, and nervous, and helpless. Thank you so much.

This is the best place for sub info...read it all, especially the forums.
Buprenorphine - Suboxone - Buprenorphine doctors - and opioid addiction resources from The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment

All doctors, and yes every single one that prescribes sub can have 2 patients that get their meds for free. Now the trick is to find a doctor because most do not want to be bothered, which is kinda sick if you ask me.

Medicaid will pay for sub treatment too from what I understand....again finding a doctor who participates is tough but they should cover meds even if the doctor doesn't take it ... and in some states like Kentucky they don't want to pay anymore, so I am not sure how this playing out in other states.

Then there is this...zero copay for the film for the rest of 2012...( now I know you don't have insurance but never know who is reading)
$0 copay* for SUBOXONE Film


So there are programs out there, you just got to keep looking and be diligent.

Good Luck!

So you do OR don't have insurance? I always hear people say doctors do not take insurance and that is NOT the case in Illinois. Many psychiatrists here are licensed to dispense it and insurance covers the office visit same as any other psych doctor visit (minus your copay). You might want to try calling around a bit more if you are desperate. Incitingsilence has some great advice there too. The copay card can be a big help as well. Just keep trying. If the doctors see you are serious and committed to recovery they will be more willing to work with you. Good Luck!

I DO have insurance. In Massachusetts, and for other states I'm pretty sure, doctors have to take a 6 hour training to get suboxone certification. For the first year they can have 40 patients and after that they can only have 100. Because of this, most doctors will not take insurance because they don't make as much from insurance and because they can meet their max number of patients just by taking only cash.

Do you have Ma health?

Have you called whomever your insurance provider is and asked what services they cover for addiction, what doctors participate in the sub program....you should start there that is so important. My husband got into his sub doctor's office through outpatient, he was referred to the addiction shrink and there were no waiting lists, nothing....because he followed the chain through the insurance company. His doctor also took insurance for about a year until they stopped because the insurance company's reimbursement policy...

If you have insurance then you can get your meds free through the program with the drug company till the end of the year, which has no income eligibility from what I understand.

Or you can get into the program through a doctor willing to take you on to get meds free for treatment and through the duration.

Do not just look at the locator, ask around to find doctors, call addiction specialist and pain management specialists as well to see if the office participates in the sub program. Not all doctor are listed on the locator.
And if you hear the word waiting list then you need to call each day everyday because people leave or get kicked from the program daily at times...

well my issue is not paying for the meds.. i cant even worry about that yet.. I'm worried about paying for the doctor to prescribe them.. like the initial appointment and all of the follow ups. i have nothing money wise and I don't know what to do.. I need help with this.. like past the withdrawal stage because i'll relapse. I'm really desperate =(

How do you know you will relapse? If being clean is something you really want you can make it...find a 12 step group, therapist, or even here at SR. It can be done!

Because a couple of months ago I quit for the first time and I only made it 40 days.. and I can't believe I made it more than like three.... The only reason I made it that time was because it just worked out that I didn;t hve access to them and cut ties with the couple of people I did...but its so engrained in everything that I do that I just don't think I can successfully stay of them. And in the past few weeks I have had such bad cravings that like even when I have done a lot I am still fiending like crazy for more... And I have wiped out all money.. because I couldn't even fight the urges when I was already high.

And I've tried NA and its definitely not my thing.

What are you planning to use along with the subs for recovery?

Just a therapist.. which I've already been calling some people... someone that can just help me fix bad habits and self destructive behaviors, and just help me be more productive, and learn greater and control and better ways of coping and just learning to enjoy life's pleasures without drugs

Where there's a want there's a way!
 

I just read your post and as I am and have been in a suboxone program for over four years now without one relapse I may have some helpful suggestions for you. I'm curious how long you have used, what you were using, what your cravings are for and why you feel that suboxone is the thing that's going to work for you. Also what if any insurance do you have? Do you have any income at all or anyone willing to help you financially? I live in Washington state but due to the lack of sub ozone prescribing Dr.s I have to go to Idaho to see my Dr. Whom by the way took four months to get into. I am on Medicare and Medicaid and I pay nothing at all for my visits and my medication which if I had to pay out of pocket would be about 1500.00 a mo. Looking at the big picture however that is still a drop in the bucket compared to what I spent on the streets to stay well on heroin. Ok, I know for a fact that your local mental health facility takes people w.no income and they do have subpoena programs just don't advertise them openly. They can help you with the counseling services your looking for as well as cover the cost of the medications. So I would first look into that option. Second have you heard of or applied for ADATSA.? It's funding for treatment by the state thru government funding I believe but its there for people in your situation. I would look into these things first and let me know what comes of it. If you hit dead ends there I have much more to throw your way to get where your looking to go. For now I strongly suggest staying in touch with people on this web site, if you say the n/a stuff isn't for you and the twelve steps aren't for you, I would see if you can find it in you to reconsider at least while your working toward your goal. You may be surprised how much help the support of others in your situation can be. Let me know how it goes. Until then hang in there. It took me what seemed a lifetime and it was a lot of work on my behalf you have to really want this. There is hope. Dont give up!

I have gone to NA meetings several times.. at the least they bore me or frusterate me but sometimes they make me itch to use more.. I end up going to the bathroom to use or practically running home. Either way I always leave there crying because I want help and I go there hoping to get help and leave there feeling like I'm never going to get help. I have been using fairly often for the past three years. Starting in about October 2011 is when it started getting really bad. Every day.. every few hours.
The first year or two of me using it was you know on weekends then three times a week and it grew more. And then the next year I started doing it every day for the most part but not all day long just at night and it wasnt a big deal when i didnt/ But this past year it has consumed me and I get so so sick when I don't do them and I can't handle it. And I'm so broke. It's so bad if I don;t have one because i can't do anything and my temperature goes to over 100 and I get huge anxiety attacks.. and when I do them its bad because I sleep n so late and will miss school and work a lot. They make me so tired when I'm coming done ( so like when i'm suppose to get up but its been 8-10 hours because I have been sleeping). I mostly do roxys. But I use heroin when I can get it because its much cheaper and I can actually get high from it, I really dont feel high from the roxys anymore..until a couple of weeks ago I felt just normal, happy when I did them but not high.. now I'll do a couple and still not feel good.
I'm a college student.. I just lost my internship due to oversleeping one day and falling asleep at work. I don't have money to afford treatment and I can't ask my parents.. After losing the internship and a couple of legal issues (non drug related) over the years they really just want me to keep it together.. and I don't think they could handle this. Plus they are already paying for rent right now and school.
For insurance, I am on Blue Cross/Blue . It's my mothers plan.
I feel that the suboxone will help me because a couple of months ago, I did quit for 40 days. The withdrawals were awful. So awful and last around ten days of being servely sick and anxious. After the ten day period I was able to get out of bed but I still got tire every where I walked and it took me two more weeks to recupurate. I was feeling batter for another week or two but the cravings started getting stronger every day. And then I let myself do it once. And I was going to stop. And I turned it down the next day.. then someone bought it for me and then I just havent gone a day without since. So, I want to go on suboxone so I can get out of the habits and the lifestyle and make new habits while not having to deal with the cravings yet. I just feel a need to ease into becoming sober. Before I had an opiate problem I use to use all sorts of other drugs and I am ready to be completely clean. I just really think a few months on suboxone would help me.
I think I answered all of your questions. Feel free to ask anymore. I'm completely okay with answering anything. I just need help.

I'm on Anthem Blue Cross. They pay for my doctor visits (minus copayment) and my meds (again minus copayment). I'm in CA. I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Try calling the pharm company to see if they can lead you to a doctor in you area. Definately get in touch with your insurance company for info and help as well! I pray things work out for you! Find a support group!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience Mamabeez - welcome to SR :)

D

FantasyBeats Your in kind of deep. I just pay cash to these docs. I wish I had something to offer that can help you get in a program, finance. There is a way. I just don't know what it is, because I've always been cash upfront, but I'll have to do some research as well as you. Beyond that, I will say sub treatment has totally cured me from opiate, oxy, cravings.
Now I'm dealing with tapering and w/d's from subs, but actually it's fine by me. If someone dumped a bottle of pills in front of me and said help yourself, I seriously would not be interested. I'm very serious about that. I'll try to help the best way I can.
Keep me posted. Best to you.

are thery any programs to help off set the cost of suboxone. I lost my insurace and i need this to continue sobriety...help!!

I have been without Internet access for months now, so I am just getting your post. Along with the suboxone I have completed an o.p.t. Program, I also attend 1:1 sessions with a chemical dependency counselor once a week, I do one n/ a meeting a week and try to stay connected to this site for support. It has completely changed my life saved my marriage and my kids and I are so much closer.

I'm not sure about where your at but I do know it has become very difficult for those who don't have insurance. Some of the methadone clinics here were talking about taking on suboxone patients but it was cash pay only. Good luck, I hate to think of all those who desperately wish to stay clean but haven't the cash up front to do so. Where is the state assistance when we really need it?

I'm very, very grateful that I have coverage! Without it--shudder! I think suboxone, methadone, all of it should be available to everyone who needs it no matter the ability to pay. I mean even if people don't care about the humane issue, active addiction costs way more, in so many more ways, than maintenance meds ever could.