Medicare covers the Revimmune (HiCy) Treatment

pvns2005 · Post by **pvns2005** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:42 am

I found out today from the JH Coordinator in charge of getting the insurance approval that Medicare is covering my In hospital stay and the IPOP visits for the Revimmune (HiCy) treatment. Now Medicare only covers 80% of the total treatment which is standard. Make sure if you are going to use Medicare that you have a good Medigap Insurance Plan to cover the other 20%. I am using BCBS (Cplus) Medigap Insurance Plan. No matter who your Medigap Insurance Plan is through, if Medicare covers it then the Medigap insurance Plan will cover the other 20% by default. Hope this information helps anyone who is on Medicare and is going to do the Revimmune (HiCy) treatment.

As far as medication coverage by Medicare, that will be determined by what Medicare Plan D policy you have.

Good luck to all...

Chris S.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:07 pm

Great info.

Thanks!

mrhodes40 · Post by **mrhodes40** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:56 pm

GREAT NEWS! I wonder how it would work if you have medicare and regular insurance.

Usually my regular insurance pays first the medicare picks up the extra costs; If my regular insurance refuses to pay and medicare covers, then they pick it up at usual rates. But 20% of THIS treatment would be a lot!

I guess I ought to look at gap insurance for this scenario, huh?

marie

RedPenguins · Post by **RedPenguins** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:05 pm

That is wonderful news! I have Blue Shield. They gave me a difficult time when I wanted Tysabri (b/c I was skipping the interferons)... but until then, they've always been VERY fast and very good with approving things. I also have a 20% copay...however, once I hit my "out of pocket maximum" I pay nothing. I'm close to my out of pocket max now - so that is good (well not really - I have medical bills piling up - LOL - but as far as the insurance company is concerned, I've paid "x" amount or am liable for that and that's my max).

Marie - keep in mind that the 20% you have to pay is 20% of the NEGOTIATED rate that the insurance company has....so it's less than if you were solely a cash-paying patient. I'm not sure how much in this case...but it would be less for sure. But of course, no insurance pays the living expenses - which I think the bulk of the costs come from.

Good luck!!

~keri

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:42 pm

Great news for all concerned.

American public healthcare policy being reasonable?

Miracles DO happen.

I updated Mel's blog today.

mrhodes40 · Post by **mrhodes40** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:46 pm

Yes that would be a lot of money, but my sister is ready to organize a bake sale

......

Next weekend

.......or sooner she says

Mom says she'll pack her bags and come with to Baltimore. She also hints broadly that the "inheritance" could be tapped ahead of time
(OK we'll believe that one when we see it....LOL)

Negotiated is a better deal. I can handle it one way or another.
Thanks for the information!
marie

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:03 am

It's great news that the insurance companies are supporting this treatment. The more people that get the oportunity to go through this treatment the better.

If Revimmune ever becomes approved in the UK, then everyone who needs it will get it completely free. However, the downside is that if you want it before its approved you have to pay for it yourself.

Cyclops

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:26 am

chrishasms · Post by **chrishasms** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:34 am

Hey, hey, hey...let's keep it clean on here!

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:58 am

chrishasms · Post by **chrishasms** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:21 am

Oh a brownie...I thought it was brown something but not brown -"ie" LOL

mrhodes40 · Post by **mrhodes40** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:45 am

Now there'll be plenty to go around....If I can just get that smell-a-vision working......

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:30 pm

mrhodes40 · Post by **mrhodes40** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:12 pm

Like "Bertie Botts Every Smell" -a-vision?

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:16 pm