My experience in the US is like this meme. I gotta show up every 3 months just to be like 'hey'. And then they're like 'hey. Any changes?' 'Nope.' 'Cool. Here are your 'scrips.'

[–] idiomaddict@lemmy.world 9 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

It depends on what the medication is. I used to take generic adderall for ~$30/month. When I switched to vyvanse, there was no generic and I had to pay ~$300/ month. I suspect vyvanse is cheaper now, but it’s been a few years since I lived in the US.

The real killer was that I had to meet with the prescriber and get a drug test every month, which cost an extra ~$200/every prescription. Not every doctor requires that, but I went to a budget clinic and IME, those tend to be more restrictive (because fuck the poor)

[–] ApathyTree@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

The drug testing and having to call for renewed prescriptions every month were too much of a barrier to me, so I’m back to being unmedicated. I just don’t have it in me to make appointments every month that feel like a gigantic waste of time.

“Yep, still have adhd” “Ok we’ll renew it, come by next week for a drug test”

Cool, yeah, I can definitely totally remember to do that every single month forever with ‘my can’t remember to function until it’s a catastrophe’ disorder, even though it’s nonsense. Not problematic gatekeeping at all.

[–] Rakqoi@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

I've been on adderall for 10 years and not once have I ever had to do a drug test... I'm curious where you live? At least in the US, drug testing isn't federally mandated for ADHD meds, it just depends on how much your psychiatrist trusts you basically. If you wanted to get back on meds so you only need to do a monthly phone call to renew your prescription (plus a normal follow up appointment every 3 months), I'd recommend finding a better psychiatrist.

but I'll concede that even just a monthly phone call is hard to keep up with, with ADHD. I most often forget until I'm about to run out so there have been many occasions that I have to go without meds for a few days...

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 3 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

There is generic vyvanse now

[–] Septimaeus@infosec.pub 13 points 19 hours ago

Looks like a specialist copay on private health insurance

[–] NotSteve_@piefed.ca 3 points 17 hours ago

In Canada we just walk in and out. I've never even seem a debit card machine in my doctors office before

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 3 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

Open market cost of psychologist without insurance ranges, but I've never paid more than $200 for a consult, and that's really pushing it.same for a psychiatrist (MD that prescribes meds).

With insurance as little as nothing, but usually the usual copay.

I say this having lived in multiple states, with multiple insurance companies.

Frankly you're pulling that 5k out of your ass - that's surgery level charges, pretty serious surgery at that, something requiring general anesthesia.

I've seen $50k in charges covered by a $500 copay.