Confused? Health insurance gurus chime in....

I was informed today that: "You have reached at least 50% of the maximum allowable of the outpatient prescription benefit under the student insurance plan.", upon calling today I learned that I have exactly $18.21 left of benefits . Upon reading my student health plan my max per policy year is $1500. So...now I am in the market for a health insurance plan. I'm not exactly sure what the terminology is. So far i've narrowed it down to two health plans, Fallon and Haravrd Pilgrim Pulse Plan ( I live in MA). Here is the breakdown for the two plans and their perscription drug benefits. What does 50% co-insurance after RX deductible mean? Example if I refill my lialda does that mean that i'll be paying half the cost? Ah...so confused.

Subject to deductible ¹	No	No
Separate Rx deductible	None	$250 (for Retail Tiers 2 and 3 only)
Retail drugs (up to 30 day supply)
Tier 1 (primarily generic focused)	$10	$15
Tier 2 (primarily preferred brand)	$50	50% co-insurance after Rx deductible
Tier 3 (primarily non-preferred brand)	$100	50% co-insurance after Rx deductible

I would go directly to the manufacturer of Lialda and see if they have a program to help people like you. I get all my drugs for free from Axcan and Proctor and Gamble. I am not sure who makes Lialda.

Thank you for the heads up, I contacted Shire (makers of Lialda), they do have a patient assistance program. I'm keeping my fingers crossed....

hey, I don't know if you're a student or working or what, but I work for a non-profit health clinic in Massachusetts, & the only insurance we accept are the state-funded plans. With the new health insurance laws in Mass., they have some GREAT state plans- it's not just Mass. Health anymore! Check out BMC Healthnet, Commonwealth Care, Commonhealth... try to get signed up for one of those. You could talk to an advocate at your local DTI office, or your school would also have the paperwork to enroll. It's worth a shot, & may be a heckuva lot easier to get than a private plan, especially with a pre-existing condition.