Over
Migraine attacks aren’t just painful – a host of other difficult to manage symptoms, as well. People who experience migraine often experience nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, among other symptoms.
There are numerous treatment options available, including treatments that may not require insurance or don’t result in a large bill. For more information about finding migraine care without insurance, read on.
Migraine is a painful condition that can disrupt your life. Finding treatment can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have insurance. Fortunately, there are options for low-cost care.
The following resources can help you find affordable treatment.
Community health centers charge sliding scale fees based on your income. These centers are federally funded and can help you get migraine and other care. Not all areas have a community health center but many do.
- Find a Health Center is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It helps you locate a community health center in your area.
Telehealth is a growing industry. With telehealth, you can see specialists and get prescriptions right from your home. Several services provide a wide variety of care, including primary and mental health care. But if you’re looking for migraine care, check out these services specifically for migraine:
- Cove is a private, for-fee service that lets you get specialty migraine care online. You’ll be able to speak with a doctor and get discounted prescriptions sent to you in the mail. There’s a $4 monthly fee to use the service, plus the cost of any medication you’re prescribed.
- Nurx ia another private for-fee service that provides medical consultation, prescriptions, and follow-up care for migraine. You’ll pay $60 for the initial consultation. Monthly prices after that depend on the prescription you take, but start as low as $25 a month.
Clinical trials are testing new migraine treatments before they’re widely available. By signing up, you’ll get free treatment and the chance to try new medications.
This can be a great way to get specialized care without a high cost, especially if you’ve tried many migraine medications without success. But clinical trials do have some risks involved.
You don’t know if the treatment being trialed will work for you, or what side effects it might have. Additionally, you might receive placebo treatment instead of medication. If you’re interested in clinical trials, you can search for ones in your area:
- ClinicalTrials.gov is the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s search that helps you find clinical trials around the world.
Even if you’ve found a specialist, the cost of migraine medications can often be a major hurdle. Fortunately, patient assistance programs can help you cover the cost of your medication. Programs generally have income limits, and many aren’t available to people with insurance. Programs include:
- The Aimovig Ally Access Card gives you 12 monthly doses of Aimovig free of charge. If you’re insured, you can also use the card to bring down the cost of your copayments.
- The GammaCore Patient Assistance Program is similar to the Aimovig Access card. You can get 12 months of free prescription coverage or assistance with copayments toward their vagus stimulator.
- The Biohaven Patient Assistance Program provides people with a limited income and no insurance coverage with assistance.
You can also check out services that aren’t tied to a specific manufacturer or prescription. These services can help you afford your prescriptions by connecting you to patient assistance programs that serve your area and your diagnosis.
These programs are often tied to one specific medication or treatment type and are offered by the manufacturer. Your migraine doctor or pharmacist may be able to help identify programs to help. Here are a few options:
- The Medicine Assistance Tool lets you enter the prescriptions you take and your income to get matched with programs on this site.
- NeedyMeds helps you search its large database to find patient assistance programs and resources for people with migraines.
- With RxAssist, you’ll just need to enter your prescription information to get matched with a program using RxAssist.
- RxHope lets you apply for programs that can help you get your migraine medication directly from their website.
You can also look into insurance coverage If you need migraine treatment. You might qualify for low-cost or even free insurance. Your exact insurance costs will be based on your income, age, and any other health conditions you have. Options may include:
The Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace allows you to apply for insurance plans in your state. When you apply, you’ll learn whether or not you qualify for financial assistance.
People with limited incomes can get tax subsidies to help pay for their insurance coverage. You’ll be able to see information like copayments and deductibles on available plans before you make a choice.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the marketplace is open for enrollment. You can apply anytime between now and August 15, 2021. If you miss this window, open enrollment will run from November 1, 2021, through December 15, 2021.
Medicaid
You can apply for Medicaid at any time throughout the year by either contacting your state’s Medicaid office or filling out an application on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Medicaid is overseen by each state, and income limits vary depending on where you live. Coverage also varies by state, but you should be able to get migraine covered.
Medicare
Medicare is insurance designed for U.S. citizens age 65 and older and younger people with chronic illnesses and specific medical conditions.
Coverage is affected by where you live. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides help locating available coverage and plans in each state.
Migraine can be hard to treat and manage on your own. It’s a good idea to see a doctor for a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Fortunately, there are options available to make treatment affordable, even without insurance. You can contact a local community health center or sign up for an online migraine service to start feeling better.