Medication

I’m really sorry she’s dealing with that, especially so early on and trying to navigate everything without much support.

There are actually some options that can help. A lot of people start with community health clinics. They usually charge based on income, so it can be a lot more affordable and they can also help get her connected to a rheumatologist.

If she qualifies for Medicaid, that can be a big help too since it can cover both specialist visits and meds.

Also, a lot of the RA medication companies have patient assistance programs that can really lower the cost or even cover the meds completely if she qualifies financially. Sometimes the doctor’s office or a clinic social worker will help with getting her signed up for those.

Lastly, we have information on our site about health resources. I will link it here- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/resources-health. I know it can feel overwhelming trying to figure all of this out at once, but hopefully this gives you some direction on where to start. Please do not hesitate to reach out for more resources. We're here to help! -Latoya (Team Member)

Hi, ! I am sorry your daughter is dealing with this new diagnosis and also dealing with the stress of being in a lower income bracket. I have been there and I know it's a whole other level of HARD!

In addition to all the great information Latoya shared, I wanted to share a resource for people with arthritis (including RA). Creaky joints is a good community and they do have some information on financial resources -- https://creakyjoints.org/# (check under the support tab). I hope it has some useful information for you and your daughter. I hope this helps and I hope your daughter can get the treatment and support she needs and deserves!

Best, Erin, Team Member.