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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/28/2008 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
I had remicade on Oct. 2nd. The hospital charged $32,002.90. .. and that is every 6 weeks. I dont know what I would do without insurance. I guess I wouldnt be having Remicade.

pommom/Julie

Diagnosed  Crohn's, 1998..Gangrene Small Bowel,1998..Ostomy Take Down,1999..TPN for 5 1/2 months..Adhesion Removal,1999..Abdominal Hernia Repair,2000..Kidney Artery Bypass,2001..Diabetes,,Sleep Apnea,,Silent Heart Attack,,Blocked Kidney Artery after the Bypass..MEDS--Lomotil,Purinethol,Folic Acid, Fish Oil,Remicade,Levsin SL,Anamantle Cream,Cortifoam ,Ultram.and many more. 26 meds..

Posted 10/28/2008 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Wow.
Posted 10/28/2008 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Ouch! I understand that drug companies have to fund research and development, and they have to advertise, but $32000 seems pretty outrageous to me. Yes, thank god for insurance. I know several people who don't have insurance, they say they can't afford it, but I don't know how you can afford not to have it. One hospitalization and you are in trouble. I hope the REmicade works for you, I just started Humira this weekend, I'm hoping that it works for me.
Posted 10/28/2008 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
It just sounds really weird to me. It's ages since I was able to take Rem, but isn't each infusion only something like $1600? They can't have spent $30,000 in staff fees, surely?

Tell me if I have the infusion price wrong. As I said, it's been a while for me...
Posted 10/28/2008 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds high. I quit Remicade in January after becoming immune to it after 4 years. My double dose was $13k every six weeks. I can't help but think someone is being slid some money. It's ridiculous. Mine was in a clinic, but still. I am currently on Humira which is cheaper, still paid for by insurance. You might call and question the costs with the hospital, it's possible they made a mistake. Hope it works though!
Posted 10/29/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
The GI doctor can do it in his office for a lot cheaper. but the insurance co. wont pay him enough to even cover the remicade. they  would pay him like it is just an office visit.with just a little more added to it. Not nearly what they pay the hospital. it is ridiculous. I want to get an itemized statement from the hosp. to see what they charges are.

Diagnosed  Crohn's, 1998..Gangrene Small Bowel,1998..Ostomy Take Down,1999..TPN for 5 1/2 months..Adhesion Removal,1999..Abdominal Hernia Repair,2000..Kidney Artery Bypass,2001..Diabetes,,Sleep Apnea,,Silent Heart Attack,,Blocked Kidney Artery after the Bypass..MEDS--Lomotil,Purinethol,Folic Acid, Fish Oil,Remicade,Levsin SL,Anamantle Cream,Cortifoam ,Ultram.and many more. 26 meds..

Posted 10/29/2008 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hospital charges are ridiculous! I remember looking at an itemized bill once, and they were charging things like $12 for a small box of kleenex. They also charged waaaaayyyyyy more for my everyday medications then what they really cost. I don't know how they can get away with that. My mom thinks that the insurance company probably talks them down to a more reasonable amount.
Posted 10/29/2008 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I know when I took Remicade, they told me to bring my own tylenol, because they would be billing the insurance something like $25.00 a pill. The nurses thought it was awful and told me to med up before I came in.
Posted 10/29/2008 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
You're kidding. That's outrageous!

Is it true that you're paying something like $25K a year in health insurance over there? That seems horrendous, if you're paying so much and the hospitals are just rorting you.

I.
Posted 10/29/2008 12:37 AM (GMT 0)

Holy cow!  That is awful!!!

I have insurance, but man!  If I end up on this drug, I am going to ask if I can try Humira first for sure!  That is flat out robbery! 

Posted 10/29/2008 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
$32k sounds WAY out of line. I would definitely ask for an itemized bill. The MOST I was ever charged was $12k, but even that was for a double-dose of Remicade.

Sheer insanity. THIS is the reason I have a huge box full of medical bills and paperwork to go through... absolutely NUTS!
Posted 10/29/2008 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Remicade every six weeks for 18 months. It costs about $3600 each time. Luckily I have insurance through my work and I only pay a $10 copay fee. It's been a wonder drug for me. I have gained nearly 45 pounds and have been in the strongest remission since being diagnosed in 94. Some of the figures being quoted here are outrageous!
Posted 10/29/2008 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Ivy...NO, we don't pay 25,000 a year for health insurance!!!

When I first started getting remicade, my insurance was billed around $6-$7,000....and that was 4 years ago.  We have since changed insurance, and I don't see a bill now, so I have no idea what the infusion center is charging.  I don't pay anything for my infusions, so an itemized bill is of no concern to me, thankfully. 

$32,000 seems way out of line.  I would definitley ask to see a bill. 

Posted 10/29/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
i'm pretty sure i remember my docs telling me the same price, around 30k or so, but that was the annual cost, not just one dose......i get my 2nd dose on friday! can't wait!
Posted 10/29/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
I totally agree with ya'll.When I first started remicade a few years ago, the hospital charged around 18,000.00 per infusion. The price has gone up every year. It is robbery.My husband is going tomorrow to talk to the hospital about financial assistance for our portion of the bill. And I want him to ask for an itemized bill. at the price they are charging, that comes close to 1/4 of a million a year.  Just Unreal. Thanks for your replies.

pommom/Julie

Posted 10/29/2008 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Ivy - it depends on how one gets insurance and if it is for a family or not. My dad recently retired and he paid for Cobra for him, my mom, and my brother. It was $1600/month which is almost $20,000. Most people get insurance through their employment and then they don't have to pay a lot for it. Just maybe $200/month or so. Your employer pays the rest of that though. When you have to pay the whole thing yourself it can be VERY expensive.
Posted 10/29/2008 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
You all are scaring me again!  We do not have any insurance, so we have to pay all out of pocket.  We are already in debt beyond belief with medical bills and haven't received the bill from Sierra's recent hospital stay, I can't imagine what it will be.  I'm thinking, I may need a stiff drink in hand when I open that bill, lol.  We are all paymented out.  We are making payments all over.  Due to no insurance is why they didn't start her on remicade but her specialist said it was something we needed to look into after her surgery.  There is no way we can afford that.  When I was reading these posts and the cost, I got sick to my stomach are they freakin kidding......I think we are all in the wrong business.  Definitely ask for an itemized bill but be prepared to get very aggravated, it is outrageous what they charge for things.

Posted 10/29/2008 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
lil-momma,

I am sorry. didnt mean to scare you. does your hospital have a financial assistance office? I wish you and your family the best. I know my best wishes wont help much when you open the bills, but i just wanted to let you know that I hope it all works out for you. Remicade has helped me so much.

take care, all

Julie

Posted 10/29/2008 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
Remicade has a patient assistance program... your daughter is a minor right? Is there any reason she can't get health insurance through her school? It would at least cover the major things like the hospital. Could someone in your family take a part time job at starbucks or petco or lowes for insurance? I know it sucks but I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper in the long run than all those bills!! Unfortunatly many of us are slaves to our jobs or have turned down other jobs to make sure we have group insurance.

My other prayer for you is that after this election you are able to get health care one way or the other.
Posted 10/29/2008 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
Humira has a patient assistance program too. That's the only reason I'm getting it. I feel incredibly lucky that they approved my application, because Humira's working pretty well for me.
Posted 10/29/2008 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I think applying for the patient assistance program would be a good idea. We have healthwave for kids (minors get covered for free, kinda like the lunch program) in kansas does cover all medical from dental, physical, and mental health.
Posted 10/29/2008 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your concerns, We had insurance and they cancelled us. I can't go into detail since we are in a legal battle with the insurance company. We have an attorney and he says we have a very strong case and should be open and close. However, it is an insurance company so it will take years. In the meantime, we have lots of medical bills and are sinking fast. We have looked into so many things and have had no luck. As far as financial aid or state programs we make too much to qualify. We don't make enough to pay all these bills though. We have looked into other insurance but since it is pre-existing there is a 12- 18 month waiting period before they cover anything. Many of them won't even cover her. In that time you still have to pay monthly premiums which are outrageous, again because it is pre-existing and we have to go through self insured. We can't afford the costs now so there is no way we can afford to pay for insurance that won't cover anything for over a year and still be able to pay for her meds and such. I've looked into getting a job that would provide insurance. Even with a group plan you have a waiting period of 12 months. All programs seem to be based on the household income so even though she is a minor, we are above the allowable income but not by much. I guess when we loose everything then they will help us. Unfortunately, I think we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know somehow it is all going to work out.
Pommom, didn't mean to run with your thread. I'm glad that remicade is working for you and so glad that you have insurance. I hope it continues to work for you and allows you to maintain a better life. Wishing only the best for you and everyone on this forum =)

Hugs for all of you!
Sherry
Posted 10/29/2008 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Have you checked with the state?  I know Texas has an insurance plan for people with health problems that other insurance companies won't touch.  They don't advertise it much, but it's there.  Ask at her next GI appointment- I bet the will know about it if there's something available.
Posted 10/29/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
it must vary by state. Some states group plans are not allowed to have pre-existing condition exclusions. I'm sorry you are in this situation and good luck with the legal battle. If you inform your creditors about the legal battle I wonder if they would put your accounts on hold.
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