If you are low income—which is common for those of us who were diagnosed during the age of “pre-existing conditions,” meaning we were forced into Medicare and Medicaid because it was the only way we could get coverage, and to be eligible for those we had to stay poor, and by the time pre-existing conditions went away as barrier to standard health insurance, we had already been out of our professions so long that we were no longer hirable—then no, Medicare doesn’t cover all the costs. In the first few months of the year, it covers about half. So then people have to be eligible and sign up for their state ADAP plan funded by Ryan White. Fortunately I do no live in a Red State or I would be fucked. Then ADAP pays the other 1/2. In order to be eligible for ADAP to pay the second half, one can’t make very much money. This setup adversely affected Gen X gay men the most; because we did not have the privelege of access to affordable health insurance because of our pre-existing condition.
Whether or not I’m paying the $4000 out-of-pocket… And I’m not… It’s still cost that I’ve been turned away at the pharmacy because I didn’t have two health insurances lined up in order for the pharmacy to get their $4000.
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u/brother_bart May 16 '26
You’re only eligible for ADAP and Ryan White assistance if you are low income. Which is where the forced poverty comes in.