This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

hey there, first post on this site. lots of good information and very helpful advice. ive watched from distance but had no reason to jump in until now. being the first of the year, im sure we are all in the same or similar boat with being re-evaluated for insurance via biogen... im one to be long winded at times, so ill keep it short. my question is this... what programs are you guys using to help cover the cost of tysabri and what do you pay per month. are there any programs that help cover the cost of the administration of the drug? and now my situation is this. i make roughly 1500 a month at my job. the cost of my insurance, health net of arizona, has nearly doubled in 24 months from 75 dollars a month to 140 a month. (i have changed nothing on my plan to cause that nearly 100% increase) im fine with that, i can afford 140... id rather it not be that high, but there is little i can do. i received a call from caremark (from what i gather, they are the parent company to healthnet) this morning. they were stating that the copay cost of my tysabri is going from 40 per month to 100 per month. so obviously, 140 for ins and 100 for monthly copay is 240 per month plus, my 5000 out of pocket which ends up being 410 per month broken down. so all in all, im paying 650 a month for my insurance, copay and deductible. on a positive note, i was approved for the chronic disease fund this year, but they are still waiting to see if funding is coming thru, so maybe and also, maybe not... what other options are there for low income ms'ers because with 650 a month in meds, 300 in rent, 100 for auto ins, 60 in credit cards, 50 for a phone and around 150 per month in house bills... im not left with much money to eat let alone save for a home or anything else enjoyable... thanks in advance... sorry half venting...

You should contact biogen idec as they have an assistance program for the drug. Low income people can get the drug for free but the infusion cost is not covered since that is the infusion center charge.

I pay about $300 total an infusion out of pocket, includes the drug.

Jim

thanks jim, ive spoke to my case worker from biogen abut financial assistance every other month for 18 months and gotten no where with them. and i have brought it up every single time they call. ive even called them rather than sitting around waiting... they cant even keep my phone number straight in their computer system...in speaking with them today, she asked me to verify my best contact number. i in turn asked her to tell me what they had on file and she rambled off 10 digits that i had never heard of. ive had the same cell phone for 8 years and no land line since for them to get confused with...

I'm sorry you are getting the run around. Maybe talking to your neuro or the tysabri person that signed you up for tysabri at your neuro office can help. I think they have different contacts.