Avonex funding - Page 2

LATW · 03-10-2008, 07:35 PM

I called Avonex and got my answer. You CAN have a 401K, IRA, savings, other resources. They just look at the WHOLE financial situation. We are a family of 7 and they said we do qualify based on our income.

So, I can rest easier! I feel like I have been left trying to connect the dots and I am pretty frustrated.

I thought I would get help all the way through the process of setting up the Avonex treatment. They are "helping" but we don't seem to be getting anywhere. But then I have not had my diagnosis a month yet...maybe I am expecting too much.

LA

MSNik · 03-10-2008, 07:37 PM

well, thats good. Not great, but better. I dont know why you ever would have thought it was 300$ a month, thats a very high amount. There is one thing you should also check into....in the USA, most injectables, are sent thru the mail- and most companies will not send you 90 days at a time...in fact, some pharmacies will NOT ship more than 30 day supply at once. I know mine, wont. I can only get one box of syringes...keep in mind, Avonex is only once a week...mine is three times a week...copaxone is daily....so I dont know for sure what insurance you have or what pharmacy they use- but FIRST make sure they are SHIPPING this to you, the cost to have it shipped is about 1/5 of what it costs to pick it up at a pharmacy...and second, verify that they will send you 3 months at once.
good luck to you.
N

MSNik · 03-10-2008, 07:41 PM

hi again. Just read your newest post, which you were typing, when I was responding to the other one. Again, without knowing your insurance, or your benefits, I cant say what to expect...but defintaely look into the two things I said..where it is coming from, being sure that it is by mail- and also finding out if they will ship you 3 months at a time. I KNOW Avonex, straight from the manufacturer didnt used to ship more than one month at a time, but I do not know if that has changed...I also think that their "help" is only for one year..after that, you are on your own....thats how it used to be. Again, it might have changed...all drug companies offer help for those who qualify, and if you have that large a family and little income, you should qualify.

also, isnt your doctor setting this all up for you? Your Neuro should be faxing in a script to your insurance company and they should be talking to you about the choices you have in getting the drug...follow up on that before you do anything.....

again, good luck.

LATW · 03-10-2008, 08:16 PM

I checked with my insurance company and I can get my Avonex from the pharmacy or through mail order for either a 30 day or 90 day supply. The co-pay is the same in each case.

The $300.00 a month is the amount the lady at Avonex gave me. That is why I decided to call my insurance company myself. I think there is a break down in communication for some reason. Other than that I have no idea what is going on. Our out of pocket for scripts per month is $150.00. Which is pretty good considering what it could be!

I called Avonex back to let them know what our insurance rep told me. I also wrote everything down including names and dates. So now I feel like I have the dots connected!

LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSNik

well, thats good. Not great, but better. I dont know why you ever would have thought it was 300$ a month, thats a very high amount. There is one thing you should also check into....in the USA, most injectables, are sent thru the mail- and most companies will not send you 90 days at a time...in fact, some pharmacies will NOT ship more than 30 day supply at once. I know mine, wont. I can only get one box of syringes...keep in mind, Avonex is only once a week...mine is three times a week...copaxone is daily....so I dont know for sure what insurance you have or what pharmacy they use- but FIRST make sure they are SHIPPING this to you, the cost to have it shipped is about 1/5 of what it costs to pick it up at a pharmacy...and second, verify that they will send you 3 months at once.
good luck to you.
N

LATW · 03-10-2008, 08:19 PM

My doctor did get things started and we were sailing along until the insurance issue came up. I am not too sure my Avonex rep is following up. She was supposed to see if I need a PA for my Avonex. That was last week and I never heard back from her.

From what I can find in my insurance information I do NOT need a PA. But I am going to call the insurance company tomorrow to make sure.

On the bright side of this Avonex is going to continue sending me my medication free of charge until this all gets worked out!

LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSNik

hi again. Just read your newest post, which you were typing, when I was responding to the other one. Again, without knowing your insurance, or your benefits, I cant say what to expect...but defintaely look into the two things I said..where it is coming from, being sure that it is by mail- and also finding out if they will ship you 3 months at a time. I KNOW Avonex, straight from the manufacturer didnt used to ship more than one month at a time, but I do not know if that has changed...I also think that their "help" is only for one year..after that, you are on your own....thats how it used to be. Again, it might have changed...all drug companies offer help for those who qualify, and if you have that large a family and little income, you should qualify.

also, isnt your doctor setting this all up for you? Your Neuro should be faxing in a script to your insurance company and they should be talking to you about the choices you have in getting the drug...follow up on that before you do anything.....

again, good luck.