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How much is MS treatment costing you per month?
I cannot believe how much medications for treatment of MS cost! I will be starting Copaxone and the cost will be $510 a month with HealthNet insurance (OUCH!). It seems that HealthNet is not very prescription friendly because I have to pay a 30% co-payment. My wife has Kaiser insurance and she is going to find out how much it cost from Kaiser.
How do people with MS afford their treatment? This is just so costly.
How do people with MS afford their treatment? This is just so costly.
Actually, most of us are well aware of LDN. Some in this community take it. I have found research regarding this drug to be less-than-impressive in terms of study quality and/or the results.
There is NO drug on earth proven to reliably keep MS from progressing, including approved DMDs. Current medications can treat symptoms, combat acute attacks, and reduce the number of relapses.
There is NO drug on earth proven to reliably keep MS from progressing, including approved DMDs. Current medications can treat symptoms, combat acute attacks, and reduce the number of relapses.
2 Comments
I have insurance through my employer but I choose not to take any of big pharma drugs. Avonex 3billion in sales in 2013. Copaxne 4.3billion in sales in 2013. They are against finding any true medical help! FDA is in bed with big pharma, mutually benefiting each other! By boycotting their products, a cure will be found!
I have insurance through my employer but I choose not to take any of big pharma drugs. Avonex 3billion in sales in 2013. Copaxne 4.3billion in sales in 2013. They are against finding any true medical help! FDA is in bed with big pharma, mutually benefiting each other! By boycotting their products, a cure will be found!
Seems like many if not most with MS, have not heard about LDN as an alternative to costly steroid use. This med has been show to reliably keep MS from progressing. I have been on it for close to a decade. Good for the immune system, few if any effects and NO needles! Doing it in a liquid form keeps cost under $150,00 per years (and I'm talking Canadian funds.)
Check ldninfo.org online for more information. Hope this may help some MS survivors.
Check ldninfo.org online for more information. Hope this may help some MS survivors.
1 Comments
MY name is Lorna, nickname is allyMcG. I wrote about LDN for all to see.
you are on SSDI an get medicare and still pay out of pocket over 5000.00? How can that be? I get medicaid and will be getting medicare with that in June that is like full coverage. I cannot imagine paying 5000.00 out of pocket for meds. I would not have a place to live. My yearly income is 12,000.00 dollars. Something seems not right with that picture, But I also dont' have all your facts either. I am not married and I am single with only SSDI income too.
disillusioned2014
disillusioned2014
Jorge,
that was very interesting. We know the further north we get the higher the rate of MS. The number of people in CR with MS surprises me. But I guess that makes sense since there are the special MS treatment centers that people in the US travel to for stem cell transplants and other treatments.
Avonex is a very good drug and I am glad you are getting treatment. Here in the US we now have 10 drug choices and more on the way.
The costs are crazy and I will start a new question about that and maybe we can get a better idea of what everyone is paying these days.....
Good luck and stay in touch,
Laura
that was very interesting. We know the further north we get the higher the rate of MS. The number of people in CR with MS surprises me. But I guess that makes sense since there are the special MS treatment centers that people in the US travel to for stem cell transplants and other treatments.
Avonex is a very good drug and I am glad you are getting treatment. Here in the US we now have 10 drug choices and more on the way.
The costs are crazy and I will start a new question about that and maybe we can get a better idea of what everyone is paying these days.....
Good luck and stay in touch,
Laura
Thank very much Laura, it sure is way more than I expected. I really hope our we don't get "privatized". Anyway, neurology here is good and free, though they wait times are a killer. When I first was DX 3 years ago, I had to pay $60 copay (out of $600) for a MRI, since at that time the machines at my hospital were broken, Now there's a fully equipped MRI clinic still the line for a exam could take a couple of months.
Anyway when I first started to have symptoms I was attended privately but I was quickly switch to the government's healthcare system since my insurance didn't cover that and I really couldn't pay for it. it's an ok service just don't expect it to be the most glamorous. I've been taking avonex all these time and so far no noticeable disability which I hope continues for a long time. There's a group for people with MS if you become a member you'll be able to participate from all their activies, which are pretty much lunch or dinner parties sponsored by the farmaceutic as well as, if you ever have a relapse you go to emergency and take directly to a Neuro for a validation on how to proceed.
I believe there's an effort being made by the Neurologists here to understand more of the illness. But there's still a lot to be done, I have around 3 or 4 doctors who see everyone twice a year on program appointments or when relapse. As for the Meds I don't even have to go personally, any relative can go and request the meds for you. There are around 400-450 people (mostly women) that suffer from MS here in CR, not that many people, which is why it still is a pretty unknown illness here.
Very few laws for disability at work. My bosses as well as my workmates do know about it, but we hardly ever talk about it but overall pretty good about the situation. I do get my shot every monday, so if I don't feel so good they allow to work from home.
That's pretty much my situation here. Anyway thanks for your quick answer take care Laura.
Jorge.
Anyway when I first started to have symptoms I was attended privately but I was quickly switch to the government's healthcare system since my insurance didn't cover that and I really couldn't pay for it. it's an ok service just don't expect it to be the most glamorous. I've been taking avonex all these time and so far no noticeable disability which I hope continues for a long time. There's a group for people with MS if you become a member you'll be able to participate from all their activies, which are pretty much lunch or dinner parties sponsored by the farmaceutic as well as, if you ever have a relapse you go to emergency and take directly to a Neuro for a validation on how to proceed.
I believe there's an effort being made by the Neurologists here to understand more of the illness. But there's still a lot to be done, I have around 3 or 4 doctors who see everyone twice a year on program appointments or when relapse. As for the Meds I don't even have to go personally, any relative can go and request the meds for you. There are around 400-450 people (mostly women) that suffer from MS here in CR, not that many people, which is why it still is a pretty unknown illness here.
Very few laws for disability at work. My bosses as well as my workmates do know about it, but we hardly ever talk about it but overall pretty good about the situation. I do get my shot every monday, so if I don't feel so good they allow to work from home.
That's pretty much my situation here. Anyway thanks for your quick answer take care Laura.
Jorge.
hi and welcome. You may not realize but you have added your question to an old conversation and you are in for some real sticker price when I tell you today's costs-
Treatment for MS in the US with any of the approved drugs now costs anywhere from $45,000- $65,000 a year. Of course none of us as individuals pay that amount but that is the retail price.
I hope we see you come around and share more about MS and what treatment is like in CR.
be well, Laura
Treatment for MS in the US with any of the approved drugs now costs anywhere from $45,000- $65,000 a year. Of course none of us as individuals pay that amount but that is the retail price.
I hope we see you come around and share more about MS and what treatment is like in CR.
be well, Laura
I was also curious about the price, I am ensured by mapfre but they don't cover it, thankfully there's the public side where most medicine here in Costa Rica is free, so I don't have to pay anything. But still I wanted to know how this works on countries where medicine isn't free since little by little they are trying to bring more private practice here.
I am also getting my Copaxane through Shared Solutions I am able to get Copaxone for $35.00 per month. They pay what my insurance doesn't cover.(With BCBS my actual co-pay for Copaxone is $200 a month). If I have no insurance Shared Solutions said my cost is ZERO!
Laurie
This is great to hear! I was just diagnosed and I was worried about the cost even with Tricare. Have you done Tysabri?
when i was about to start the rebif.. they said it cost $46,000 per year!!!!!!
$318 per injection!!!!! im like uhh... isnt CRACK cheaper than this???
my insurance was only going to pay 50%.. so thats still $1900 / month..
luckily my *** is so broke and disabled, that the company got me signed up for an assistance program.. first 3 months are FREE then only $50 a month after that!! i was SOOOOOO happy to hear that.. otherwise.. no way id be able to take it!!!
$318 per injection!!!!! im like uhh... isnt CRACK cheaper than this???
my insurance was only going to pay 50%.. so thats still $1900 / month..
luckily my *** is so broke and disabled, that the company got me signed up for an assistance program.. first 3 months are FREE then only $50 a month after that!! i was SOOOOOO happy to hear that.. otherwise.. no way id be able to take it!!!
Through Shared Solutions I am able to get my Copaxone for $35.00 per month. They pick up what my insurance doesn't cover.
I just got back from an appointment with a lady that is supposed to help me pick the best medicare insurance plan. Copaxone kept coming up costing over $120,000.00 a month, I thought it was a misprint, it had to be. So I made the appointment, when I went to this appointment she verified that the cost has doubled like 4 times in the past 6 years. And yes with my 4 autoimmune disorders my medications are over 1 million a year! Am I wrong or are they just covering the cost up, I couldn't find the retail price anywhere (just what peoples co-pays are,) I can't help but wonder if this is how the government gets everyone depending on it.I don't qualify for extra help after the 1st of Jan., I'm scared. My family is just scraping by so Copaxone is going to have to take a back seat even though it's working very well.
I HAVE BEEN ON REBIFF FOR OVER 10 YRS NOW THE ODSP DONT WANNA COVER THE MEDICATION, THEY TOOK IT AWAY FROM ME AND I CANT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT.WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO MY MS WITHOUT THE ONLY HOPE I HAD FOR NOT ENDING UP IN WHEELCHAIR?IM REALLY SCARED.MY MS IS PREATTY BAD
Your LUCKY to be working for the system !!! We DON'T !!! I have been giving my own Avonex injection for 12 years now that Iam on good ole not understanding all their doughnt holes I have to waste the doctors time and mine adding co-pay each week to have my injection. Waste of money if you ask me ? I just hope I don't have to stop my injection because of the ugly goverment policy. of course you won't as long as you work for the Great System !!! Good Luck
Hi
I hve been lurking for some time, you have a very active and helpful forum!
Well, the medication I chose to be on is LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) which costs me £15/month. There are few options for PRMS, the most shocking offering being chemotherapy *shudder*
LDN is available in the US from $15-$38 per month, some providers accept insurance and some charge postage.
I am also on as needed antibiotics for urinary issues which costs much less than £100/year.
Supplements and following a healthy diet is my biggest expense.
I hve been lurking for some time, you have a very active and helpful forum!
Well, the medication I chose to be on is LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) which costs me £15/month. There are few options for PRMS, the most shocking offering being chemotherapy *shudder*
LDN is available in the US from $15-$38 per month, some providers accept insurance and some charge postage.
I am also on as needed antibiotics for urinary issues which costs much less than £100/year.
Supplements and following a healthy diet is my biggest expense.
I'm in the same boat you're in. I have no insurance and can't get insurance unless my husband obtains a new job that will allow me to be covered under his insurance. I'm not counting on it. Two different neuros have told me prices on the various DMDs: Copaxone usually around $1300/month and the others can run up to $3000/month. I learned a long time ago that all pharmacies are not the same and that some are quite a lot cheaper than others. It pays to call around and compare prices for medications purchased. Walmart is assumed to be the cheapest, but my drugstore beats their price on most of my meds by 300%. Many of my meds are also heart-related prescriptions, so it's not uncommon for mine to cost $400 a month out-of-pocket. If the Rebif or Copaxone that my neuro wants me on can't provide it to me for free or very close to free, I'll be living without it, and experiencing relapses, no doubt. But I am reminding myself that even on the DMDs, I might be experiencing relapses. They are not reliable for everyone. On the flip side, the manufacturers of all the interferons are still compiling their research on effectiveness of their drugs. To some extent, these are still experimental, which makes the drug manufacturer more willing to work arrangements with patients who cannot afford the medication. It's a treacherous road, any direction we limp off to.
My neuro strongly suggested I start meds, but there is no way I could afford it. I have insurance and it would still cost me over $500/month. Hope is free - so that's what I'm taking currently. :)
My husband is Active Duty Army. Tricare covers most of my Copaxone ($2700 per month). I pay $9 a month for Copaxone and $3 for Gabapentin. The most I am supposed to ever pay for prescriptions is $27.
Fair trade for having him away from his family for a year at a time...
Fair trade for having him away from his family for a year at a time...
Anyone who applies for needs based assistance with Shared Solutions realize it takes weeks sometimes months for approval. They do not reimburse for prescriptions all ready filled even by one day. So get your paper work in ASAP.
I personally feel the cost of a DMD is cheaper than an ER visit, a hospitalization or steroid infusions, or a wheel chair.
I am sad DMDs do not work for me.
Pharmaceuticals actually cut down on hospitalizations and Doctors visits. I have Asthma and the drugs are expensive but just tonight my Nebulizer kept me out of the ER.
I personally feel the cost of a DMD is cheaper than an ER visit, a hospitalization or steroid infusions, or a wheel chair.
I am sad DMDs do not work for me.
Pharmaceuticals actually cut down on hospitalizations and Doctors visits. I have Asthma and the drugs are expensive but just tonight my Nebulizer kept me out of the ER.
> The doctor told me that my medicine will be around $1000 a month, I can not affor it but I know I have to use the medicine to avoid other attacak. Is anyway can help me?
Keep in mind that a DMD will not prevent future attacks. What it does is help to prevent attacks, usually by 30%. It also helps prevent brain atrophy from neuron/axon loss.
I think a $1000-a-month payment would be more debilitating than an attack! I haven't been taking my medication, and mine is only $75 per month. (Which I can't afford.)
Keep in mind that a DMD will not prevent future attacks. What it does is help to prevent attacks, usually by 30%. It also helps prevent brain atrophy from neuron/axon loss.
I think a $1000-a-month payment would be more debilitating than an attack! I haven't been taking my medication, and mine is only $75 per month. (Which I can't afford.)
My Copaxone is $2700/month until I meet the out of pocket max for the year. My other meds I haven't calculated a total but are approximately 200+/month. Once I met the the max out of pocket, it's a free ride to the end of the year.
We have a Health Savings Account and after the first year on it we saved enough to have a rollover for each year but the January and February are always a financial struggle, especially since our income has been cut almost in half.
Ren
We have a Health Savings Account and after the first year on it we saved enough to have a rollover for each year but the January and February are always a financial struggle, especially since our income has been cut almost in half.
Ren
A lot of the prescription companies have financial assistance plans that can help. Rebif had one to lower your copay or give you the drug free for a year. I know that Copaxone has a form of financial assistance that you can apply for. I'm applying now to see if it'll help (no income or medical insurance here, yay).
If that doesn't help, I'd talk to the doctor or his/her office to see if they know of any programs or call the MS Society. There are tons of programs out there.
National MS Society website
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx
If that doesn't help, I'd talk to the doctor or his/her office to see if they know of any programs or call the MS Society. There are tons of programs out there.
National MS Society website
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx
I pay $500 a month for a group plan insurance for myself and another $500 a month for copays. I will not be able to refill my Copaxone because I am now diagnosed with PPMS and Copaxone is not FDA approved for PPMS so I would have to pay the full amount. My Copaxone copay doubles every July so it would be up to $200. Our income has been cut in half and a third of it goes to my medical. I thank goodness I chose not to have children.
Alex
Alex
Hi: I found out this week that I have a high probability to develop MS and I have to start using medicine once a week, I don't have insurance right now and I have ITIN number. Do you know if those programs that you talk about it can help me? The doctor told me that my medicine will be around $1000 a month, I can not affor it but I know I have to use the medicine to avoid other attacak. Is anyway can help me?
Thanks
Monserrat
Thanks
Monserrat
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