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How much $$ do IBD treatments cost in the US? Are they covered in Canada?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/30/2010 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
hey guys...

I am working on my term paper about IBD... Where can I find out how much therapies like Remicade, Entocourt, Imuran, etc... cost?

Does anyone know anything that can help me out?

Thanks

Posted 3/30/2010 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
I think your best bet is to email the companies that make them.
Posted 3/30/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
For me, one Remicade infusion is about $7000. That's the cost to insurance, not my cost.
Posted 3/31/2010 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
My remicade cost $15000 for one infusion.
Posted 3/31/2010 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Humira is $800/shot in Manitoba, covered by employer insurance though.
Posted 3/31/2010 3:04 AM (GMT 0)

My Pentasa prescription is over $180 for a 10-day supply (US).

Posted 3/31/2010 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
90 Entocort pills (1 month supply) in Quebec cost $186 without insurance, my private insurance covers 90%(I pay up to a maximum of $2000 a year, after that everything is free), so I pay $18 a month. If you do not have private insurance (usually from your employer), you have to register for a mandatory prescription drug plan here, which you pay on your income taxes, but the amount varies depending on how much you make (from $0 - $585 a year). Almost all drugs are covered on the public plan, although oral Entocort isn't (the enema version is, I believe) for whatever reason, so I used to have to pay the full price out of pocket. I could explain the way that the public plan works for you if you need the information or provide you for links, but it works differently in each province.

Post Edited (Valerie3) : 3/31/2010 6:00:03 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/31/2010 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
Vancouver Canada, I use 5 vials, 100mg/vial of Remicade each infusion every 8 weeks. Value to provincial health care (Pharmacare) $5078.60 All is covered except $1377.42 the first infusion of the year. I get 80% paid by my private (company paid) carrier. I pay $232.28 ,the rest of the year the government pays all costs. The deductible paid at the first dose of the year is based on my income 2 years past. I've paid as much as $600 in past years but 2008 was a bad earning year for me. I haven't been on the other drugs you mentioned for awhile and don't have records for the cost sorry. Hope this helps Rob
Posted 3/31/2010 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
Remicade, co-pay Blue Point 2 coverage $50 every 8 weeks.(Hospital infusion center)
The rest of the medications $2000 through Medco,a mail order drug supplier.
Another large cost is time,that is rarely talked about...
Posted 3/31/2010 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
IMHO we have it pretty dang good in Ontario i dont pay for meds at all not even the usual 2 dollar fee asked for by many pharmacies and i have meds put in blister packs....lyn
Posted 4/2/2010 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
wow- how much remicade is that for $7,000 and $15,000??? i'm starting my 1st infusion monday...i'll have to ask them the "retail" cost!
Posted 4/2/2010 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there mtgman, I also live in Az, have you heard anything about the mayo clinic we have in scottsdale area?
Posted 4/2/2010 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
hey there! i have- we live in cave creek just up the road from mayo hospital on the 101...good docs but there are some really good gi's in the area not associated with mayo as well. i've never had ins that let me see docs at mayo so i can't say much other than great reputation. you in the phx area?
Posted 4/2/2010 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
with good ins my meds like remicade had no copays, just 15 bucks for the 'office" visit, the infusion was fully covered as well. all other drugs are up to 25 bucks co pay now but thats good for an HMO. also up untill the last couple years there was NO copay for any surgeries or hospital stays with my plan. now you have 300 a day for hospital 1st 3 days. my othere insurance is the VA which covers 100% and medicare which is piss poor. cant wait till my HMO goes under.
Posted 4/2/2010 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
mtgman, Yes I live in Apache Junction, and I am seeing a GI Dr in Mesa, I was asking about the Mayo clinic because a friend of mine said she read something about them being really good.

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42 y/o Female
DX'x Crohn's 03/31/10, Fibromyalgia 97, IBS 00, Endometriosis 01, Anemia since teen years, Allergies whole life, diverticulosis 06, Osteroarthritis 02
Just started on Imuran 50mgx2 day, Prednisone 20mg day
Posted 4/3/2010 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
mayo does have good docs and they are involved in a lot of research as well. there are also some very good gi's in n. scottsdale...let me know if you need some names.
Posted 4/3/2010 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
My husband's infusion center charges around $7000 for an infusion of remicade. The insurance company actually pays them $2500 for the infusion. We have to pay for the "office visit" - $40.

His other meds, Canasa and Lialda, we get through the cigna tel-drug service, it's $150 for a 3 month supply, so $50 a month (I don't know what the retail cost is).

PV
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