Procrit or Neupogen ????

[Livinontheedge]

Starting to end week two of treatment and have to have my labs done next wed. GT 1a , tri therapy with INC.  
    Was just wondering ( maybe for the future)    Who takes procrit & who is using Neupogen.      Cost ???   Any programs to help with Co pay ???    
Before starting treatment, since I am a Medicare recipient with Medicare Part D, through Humana, most of my drug cost was paid , but I had some very very steep co-pay amounts and had to seek co pay assistance, like to the tune of almost $12,000.    Ofcourse we all know what the cost of Incivek is !!!!    And because I am on Med Part D, I am not entitled to free drugs.   Or free co pay.  Chaps me !    

[Livinontheedge]

Thanks for the info .   I am really hoping I dont have to use any of them .   All information is greatly appreciated.   Hoping and praying for the best for all of us !   Carrie

[spectda]

I used both neup and procrit. I paid for both the first time I needed them because were waiting for insurance approval. 1 300 mcg injection of neupogen was more then $500, 1 40,000 unit injection of procrit was more the $700. Once my insurance approved the pharmacy reimbursed me. I also took nuemega for platelets but it was provided free of charge. I read that each injection was about $2000 retail.

[Livinontheedge]

Thanks for the info NYGIRL7.    The price of epogen (procrit)  is enlightening!    So depending on the tier the medication falls in and where I am with my insurance for the year will determine the price.    And who knows how long it will have to be taken ???    So another possible dilemma along the way.   Hopefully all will be well and I wont have to go on it.  Will find out next week though :)

[Livinontheedge]

Checked today with my ARNP at GI's office.  She is the best.    She said not to worry about it, that we could get it managed, between her and the pharmacy.  She said there were a ton of programs out there for co pay asst.  
However, I did go to the Procrit site that is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and looked over all the criteria for asst.   The manufacturer will not give Medicare Part D patients assistance, they outsource you to other organizations.     Figures......

[nygirl7]

I dont known about neup but i took was on 40,000 x 2 a week of epogen, the box of ten cost over $6,000.  After what you have already suffered in the cost department I hope to God you dont need it at ALL.

[alagirl]

I would get with your doctor about procrit now and try to get preapproved for a scrip? - I don't know, something... so that you can talk to the drug company about getting help now, because the chances are so high that you'll need it.  The neupogen you may not even ever need.  Some people go their entire treatment without it.  Far fewer make it through without ever using procrit.

[Livinontheedge]

Exactly,  The pharm companies, however not all of them work that way.   My AD, through Forest Pharmacueticals cover my $300. AD each month :)    
I would think that I surely would be eligible for something out there and my ARNP is pretty good about working with me as well as my Special Phamacy, they have nurses who can help.  

[alagirl]

Good Lord.  That is an insane amount.  When you say that you aren't entitled to free drugs, are you talking via the actual drug companies or?  Because a LOT of people on tx need procrit - typically by about week 4 or so, and I'd hate to see you not be able to afford that.  

[Livinontheedge]

Oh yeah, $12000. and I am praying that is going to get me through 6 months on my copays.   Everymonth I am put into a different tier so everything changes.   I just pray for SVR in 6 months so I dont have to do another 6 months !   I wont know where the money is coming from, because once you hit the grant money its only good for one year and you cant apply for another year.  
So I guess I will see after next week what the plan is .  Hoping for a good CBC !    Thanks so much for you info  Carrie

[alagirl]

TWELVE GRAND?!  Holy Geez!

I took tons and tons of procrit when I treated, and a much smaller amount of neupogen.  Really, I think maybe only three shots of neupogen my entire treatment, and procrit I took 40,000 units 2x per week - every week.  They prescribed the procrit in boxes of 10.  Each vial had 40,000 units in it (I think - it's been over three years and I use a different dosage now).  So I went through two vials per week.  It is very, very expensive stuff, but my copay with BCBS was $40.  Or at least, it's $40 now, (I still take it - I was already taking it before treatment), not sure what it was then.