What is a good insurance I could get for my mom? She's bipolar and schizophrenic.

Question

Medicines are at ridiculous prices for mental illness... we're paying over 1,500 a month in medications. Is there anything that could help? Aside from medical(might get denied). We live in california.

Answer 1

First off, if she is bipolar and schizophrenic, she probably has just schizoaffective disorder. They combine the two problems into one disorder if they are both present in an individual, which they call "schizoaffective disorder".

But anyway, if she came out of the blue, not part of any employer provided health insurance plan, it will probably be exceedingly difficult and expensive to get coverage with preexisting conditions as severe as the ones you said she has. Insurances companies aren't too into helping out people who already have problems (a great flaw in the american system if you ask me). If she can't afford it, best bet is to seek help from the government. Medicare or medicade might be better routes. It is very likely she will be rejected from any plan from a private company. The government might be a little more sympathetic.

Answer 2

In my area, there is a public local mental health outpatient clinic that subsidizes peoples medications - they just pay a very small amount.  Call a licensed social worker (LCSW or MSW - in yellow pages) = they probably can hook you up to a similiar facility in your area.  Is she eligible for social seccurity disability? - if so - call and get that started.  My dad got his doctor to fill out some paperwork where the drug company gave it to him free.  Ask everyone - regular MD, psychiatrist, counselor, pharmacy, call the drug company(s).  See if National Alliance for Mentally ill (NAMI) is in you area - call them!  Look up "Advocates" in the yellow pages.  Ask the prisons.  There must be a way.

Answer 3

natural remedies don't cost much

read about schizophrenia and bipolar on curezone.com

take care, eat healthy, take vitamins and get plenty of sleep

Answer 4

Some mental health insurance that will allow her medical psychiatric and hospitalization treatment.  The problem today is that insurance companies for the most part are not allowing patients needed hospitalization treatment.  They simply want the psychiatrist to medicate them on an out patient treatment plan.

Good Luck

LFT