insurance costs
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:31 am
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...