I don't have Copay money!

[opie74]

I spoke to the Beta plus nures last night.  Today the reimbersment department called me.  I can only get the drug through the pharmacy that my insurance owns.  The copay is $250 a month.  That is our car payment!  That is the difference in my children going to GETO schools in my current district or moveing.  First, las night, she says "Don't get stressed"  then they call me with this kind of news.  I told them that my brain could rot and fall out my ear before I come up with that kind of money.  I can't just go back to work..  I am an instructor for gods sake.  I caould not even get a job until the Fall semester.  And that is only if they fire the girl that took my place.  

What the hell is wrong with America?  If I did not have children, I would ........................

I hate our D... insurance and medical system in this country.  If you have anyone in your house that works for a living you must pay everything that thy make for dr and meds.  This is so unfair!!!!!!  I shoud legally divorce and live off welfare.  Then I would not have to claim my husbands income... now there is a thought.

[opie74]

This is really old:-)  I don't take Betaseron anymore as it did not work for me.  Now I am on gilenya completely free. I don't really know if it is much better, but I had to try something else.  My first year on Betaseron, I had 3 relapses.  I hope that all goes well with you.

[melodyy89]

if you are having difficulties paying the copay from your insurance company. i'd advise you to do as the same thing as i did. I advised my doctor and espacially my nurse i told her the situation that it is very hard for me to cover the cost as i dont make much and whatever i make goes to my expenses and kids and going forward i might have to stop taking the betaseron. the next day i had a reimbursement specialist calling me from the betaplus program and we discussed my situation and i was required to fax her my notice of assessement of how much i make and it is low so she told me if i had a spouse because she needed his net income as well because of both patners and i said i am divorced with 2 kids so she said thats fine when i faxed her the documents she called me back witin 2 days and i said i was approved for financial assistance with the whole copay 100% i dont even have to pay anything towards it i guesss when you provide them with your notice of assessement from canada revenue they go based on your net income and they can tell how much they can help u based on ur income !!! i couldnt believe it its something out of my shoulders now i dont have to worry i still cant even believe it i remember i used to pay my 20% copay at the pharmacy and now its them calling on my behalf each time to pay wit a credit card number i really cant thank them enough their phone number is 1800 977 2770 and its here in canada im not sure how the usa one works so best of luck to ms folks.

[opie74]

I could not get in with my obgyn.  I am going to see the nurse practitioner at my old GP's office.  My Gp that I loved moved to california in January of 08.  That's right a year ago.  I have been procrastinating about finding a new one.  We have good insurance, I just hate trying to find someone that I can trust.

I have a good team of specialists.  They all seem to be friends outside of work.  It took the a long time to figure out that they were talking about the same person.  My OBGYN insists on calling me by my firstname.  I don't use it.  The others call me Ann. LOL  Maybe one of them can send me to a GP; one that is not freaked out by the MS thing.

Opie ANN

[doni54]

Hi opie,

I'm glad all this worked out for you.  I know how finances can hurt.  I don't have health ins and it is really tough to get all these tests, and get them paid for.

Take care and best of luck with the DMD, I'm glad you are getting to get started.

doni

[opie74]

I will call today.  The 3 yr old has the stomache bug, both ends.  I can't take him with me.  I will see if my dad can come over tomorrow.  If not, maybe he can go with me by then.

[Lulu54]

And I meant to ask - did you call about getting that UTI checked out?  I wrote to you in another post that you really can't afford to ignore those - it can lead to permanent damage to your kidneys. Those of us with MS are more prone to UTI's without realizing we have one ---- something about the signals being pretty confused.  I have had a couple this past year and had not a clue I had one.  I know the money was a concern, but please go get it checked out.  
my best, Lu

[Lulu54]

Yeah for you! All that stress was for nothing after all.  I am so happy that you will be joining us on the DMD's.  It really is your best shot at controlling and slowing the relapses.  

Be well, Lulu

[opie74]

I was approved today for hte co-pay assistance program!!!  That is a saveings of $200/mo!!! That really adds up in a year!

[risnerrose]

I was told on the phone that I had the option of sending tax return or the last two paycheck stubs (they may have said bank statements?? I cant remember).

[opie74]

My sharps container was on the porch when I came home today LOL.  There ist was, no explination, just a box with a red sharps container inside.  You think tht they would have sent one of the child-proof ones with two toddlers in the house...:-)

[opie74]

It is not insensative at all.  I think that my doctor filled out his portion while I was at the office.  As for the tax return, I may have to wait and send this years.  I resigned my job in December of 07; so my 07 form shows that we make way more money than we actually do now.  The 08 return will show only my husbands money.  I hope tht we can get it done soon.

Opie Ann

[risnerrose]

I spoke to several people at Betaseron, and received different information from each . . . but someone directed me to the form.  I filled in the first two pages and faxed it.  They sent something to my neuro (the third page I think).  I also had to send my income tax return from last year.  I received the letter stating that I would pay $150 when the medicine is delivered (three months worth) . . . haven't heard anything since . . . except I did receive a sharps' container with no information.

It will be nice to have someone else beginning the meds with me . . . hope that doesn't sound insensitive.

Sherry

[Lulu54]

Opie,
If this one doesn't work out, check out the Rebif program - EVERYONE gets their first year of Rebif paid for through their drug distribution plan if I understand it correctly.  Look on their website for the details and call your neuro and ask to change the prescription to that.  They certainly understand the financial strain of this disease.  

let us know how it works out, ok?
Lulu

[opie74]

I did not know that i had to fill it out.  The rep told me that they were going to file for me.  I will see if I can download it tonight.  Thank you!

[risnerrose]

I just received my letter stating that I can receive Betaseron for $50 a month.  We have to pay up front on our insurance, so I filled out the form for patient assistance (upon Betaseron rep's recommendation).  I found the form by googling "Betaseron Patient Assistance Program".  Have you been directed to the form?    

Sherry

[opie74]

They finally said that they would apply for the assistance for me.  I won't find out until tomorrow.  I wish that they had never called until they did all of the work.  Basically, you have to tell the that you will not pay for it before they work on your bealf.  The nurse said that she was 90 % certain that I would qualify.  If I was still a teacher, I would not have qualified, state government insurance.  Thank goodness for small things :-)

[opie74]

sorry about all of the anger in that post.  I am feeling better now.  Took my won advice for perking up.  Have a good evening!

[jensequitur]

It's crazy, isn't it?  Even with the supposed help we have in this country for people who are underinsured, we still have to pay an arm and a leg for our medication and health care.

I'm guessing that you don't qualify for the assisted medication program through Betaseron.  Have you tried another group, like Copaxone?  As far as I can tell, they're about the same.