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Thread: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

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    Member marisaleigh's Avatar
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    Default Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    Hi Ladies,

    I'm leaving my home state for the Winter to head South and avoid bad weather. Problem is, I have a lot of trouble with anxiety and insomnia and rely heavily on prescription drugs to regulate sleep and avoid panic attacks. I don't wanna have to constantly fly home just for 15 minute prescription pill appointments, nor do I wanna be buying black market Xanax or something, so if anyone can relate and struggles to maintain psychopharmacology while stripping in other states for seasonal reasons, lemme know! I'll be in New Orleans and other points South. If there are sliding scale clinics for health care visits, I'd pay outta pocket within reason and don't mind paying out of pocket for generic prescriptions.

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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    Talk to your doctor's office and they will tell you your options. Often they can just call I prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice, but it may depend on the type of narcotic. Or you will have to find a doctor in these places via your insurance website.

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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    if you're talking about drugs that are considered 'controlled substances' then you're going to have major issues getting prescriptions filled by a pharmacy in a different state from the doctor writing the prescription. You're also going to have problems getting a 'low income' clinic's doctor to write a new prescription for a 'controlled substance' for a person who doesn't have an official local address !

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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    While I was living in AZ while my Psych was in Illinois. She called in prescriptions for me and I got them filled fine, however she did eventually have refer me out to someone out there. Also for the non-controlled meds she gave me 90-day scripts. It can be done but I think it really depends upon the state you are in and what medications. Check with your doc and see what they think, they may have some ideas.

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    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    Honestly, you're probably going to have a hell of a time with this, especially in this town. Sorry...
    You can bring original copy prescriptions from your home Doc & fill them here, even if it is a controlled substance, but it's a pain.
    You will need a govt. issued photo ID and the pharmacist will probably want to call you Dr to verify, so don't wait until you run out to fill it. Even then, some pharmacies may choose not not make the effort or take the risk and will simply tell you they're out of that particular medication and have no idea when they will have any.
    Depending on how long you will be here, it will be much simpler to just get a Dr here and bring your medical records with you or have them faxed. If you have insurance, their website will tell you who you can see. You will probably need a valid New Orleans address.
    If you don't have insurance and were considering going to a clinic, I think you just be wasting your time. Medical professionals around here are VERY skeptical and WILL simply assume you're trolling for pills. Every time I've been in my Dr's office, I overhear her having to explain to someone asking her for drugs that she simply cannot prescribe the combination/dosage they are asking for.
    If you're not going to be here for that long, the easiest solution would be to get your prescriptions filled in your home state and bring them with you. Also, if you need to bring them with you ANYWHERE (like to work for in case of panic attacks) make absolutely sure that you have them in the original bottle from the pharmacy, put a photocopy of the prescription somewhere in your purse, and have a photo ID on you. This sounds totally paranoid, but you CAN go to jail for possessing your own prescription if there is any doubt whatsoever. I know people who have. Especially if it's a crazy time down here......
    I propose a toast - to my self control.... I see you crawling, helpless, on the floor.......
    -Mark Sandman

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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    I don't know how long you're going to be gone but I travel all over the country to work and I have a prescription for kolonopin. I go to the same doctor fr 4 years when i run out he writes me a script for 90 pills with 2 refills. I get them filled at walmart and you are allowed to switch a script once, like I've ran out a few times while being in other states and had them fill my script at a walmart in that state but you must have refills left. when I got back i tried to fill it and the lady said i switched it to the city I last had it filled in but called it in and I was fine. Also I would just go back to my doctor since i'm never gone for more than a month.

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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    Oh and that once goes for controlled substances if it's not a controlled substance you shouldn't have a problem.

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    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    Oh yeah, I should have stated that I can only speak for New Orleans.
    I propose a toast - to my self control.... I see you crawling, helpless, on the floor.......
    -Mark Sandman

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    Member marisaleigh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    Thanks, I have an app down there and will ask my local doctors to fax my info so there's a paper record of my history for their reference. I'll have to settle for something like Trazodone if Klonopin doesn't work out, the former helps me sleep, while the latter keeps me mellow without the drowsiness, i.e. at work when I can't afford to be too tired.

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    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: Health Insurance and Living in Multiple States to Strip

    When moving and switching my medical care to New Orleans, the docs in my previous state wanted the New Orleans Dr to call them and ask them for the records. For some reason, my calling and giving them the new Drs fax #, prior to my first appt, was insufficient. (I thought I was being efficient, my records would be there when I got there for my first appt)
    Then my New Orleans Dr had to first fax the previous ones with a record release form signed by me (in New Orleans) So I had to wait for my first appt to even begin the ridiculous process. I always thought this was a giant unreasonable pain in the ass but figured I had no way around the red tape.
    So, if you have the option, you might be able to avoid jumping through these hoops if you are able to get the actual copy of your own records and carry them into your first appt with you. They will probably still want to play the fax game, but this may make it easier.
    On a upside, I've never had a problem getting my prescription for trazodone filled.
    I propose a toast - to my self control.... I see you crawling, helpless, on the floor.......
    -Mark Sandman

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