Hello dear forum! My name is Paula and I am just over 50 years old. I live in germany. I was diagnosed with ADHD almost 15 years ago. The reason I am writing here is that my daughter, who is 25 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD and giftedness in elementary school, has gone to the US (New York) to study for several months. Does anyone have experience with health insurance and coverage for ADHD medication (she takes Elvanse here)? Does anyone know if a specialist is required for the prescription? She has a certificate from her psychiatrist here and permission from the health department to take controlled substances to the US. If I’m in the wrong place, I apologize—please let me know where I should post my question. Thank you, Paula
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Hi @Paula and a warm welcome, I can’t help you, but maybe @UlBre or @SneedleDeeDoo have any ideas?
Hey! Many thanks for your answer! Bye, Paula
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Dear Paula, I am very sorry, but I do not have a clue about this. But it would be great if you could give an update if you found out about it…
Hopefully you found help already.
I am an American and my health insurance is based out of NY, although I live in another state. I take Elvanse (Vyvanse brand name in U.S., generic name atomoxetine). If they are studying at a university, they usually have insurance available through the school, and often have on site medical facilities that often have psychiatrists available.
When you mention NY, do you mean NY city specifically? NY is a decent size state and has many schools to study at.
As a prescription it does require a doctor to write one to be filled in the U.S.
It’s not a controlled substance in the U.S. So don’t have to worry about those restrictions related to controlled substances. For convenience, as a non controlled medication, you can get 90 day supply of it if doctor puts that on the prescription. Granted, if having insurance, sometimes they suck and make you only get 30 day supply unless you use their online pharmacy, which may be priced way more. All depends on provider. Also, sometimes it is cheaper for medication to use discount cards. Some stores have them for the store. Some discount prescription websites can also be cheaper than insurance coverage for meds (I use insurance and discount card when cheaper). More on that below.
A primary doctor can write the script potentially with the note from their doctor and may not need to see a psychiatrist (who typically are the specialists who prescribe mental health meds for ADHD.) If they have a primary doctor. Just ask ahead of time if they do that kind of things so no money is wasted. Mental health is more expensive for visits. Even with insurance. Sometimes there are low cost local clinics as an alternative. But have to search for those online.
If you don’t have insurance, there are discount websites that are free and can be used to get discounts on medications. The most popular is Goodrx.com and here is just an example for 60mg, 30 day supply in Manhattan, NY. Starts from about $25 and goes up in price depending on pharmacy. https://www.goodrx.com/strattera?label_override=atomoxetine&form=capsule&dosage=60mg&quantity=30&drugId=42782&offerId=djA6NDI3ODI6MjMzNTY6MzA6NDAuNzY5LC03My45ODI%3D
Another option, contact the American embassy in Germany and ask if possible to mail them their prescription and if there is anything you need to do on your end to allow it. If you have a way to get it filled in their absence locally that is.
For future reference if they or you travel to other countries, and take controlled substances at that time. This website gives info by country on rules for different controlled substances. Note, unofficial policy may be different so call the embassy or consulate, or other regulatory authority listed for the country. And they can tell you. Went to Thailand and Cambodia with adderall, and St Lucia with Adderall and armodafinil. Authorities said just bring prescription from doctor or prescription bottle and only as much as prescribed for visit. Or if visiting more than one country, for trip. Instead of all the formal processes listed. But, some countries don’t always honor international agreement, so do some research on that. Some people got stuck with their meds confiscated even though the country had international agreement policy set. Don’t recall which countries I say mentioned. Most countries don’t pull that kind of crap.
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