Remicade Coverage??

 My son is coming up to be 21.. and will no longer be covered under my husband's and my health benefit plan.  I am starting to do the research now.. to see how this medication will be covered.  The costs is astronomical... and there is no way we can afford it... even at a small percentage.  Can anyone out there please let me know of any resources out there that I can check into for coverage.  We live in Calgary, Alberta.  I have already checked into Blue Cross.. but they will only cover up to 70% with a maximum... that we would reach in no time.  Also, Alberta Health Care... will not cover Ulcerative Colitis.. only Crohn's.  As of July in 2010. he will no longer be covered.  Any help please would be much appreciated. 

Thanks for your reply about the Remicade.  We did go on the Remifast Assistance Program a while back.. when my husband got laid off.. and they picked up the remaining 20% that my Sunlife Plan did not cover.. so that was so great.  My son can not really hold jobs too long.. because of his sickness.  It just really makes me angry that Alberta Blue Cross will cover Crohn's.. but not Colitis... absurd in my opinion.  I have just started doing my research .. we have until next July.  He usually gets severe symptoms about two weeks before his next Infusion... and we are at that point.. his next treatment isn't until next Tuesday... so he has to hang on for a few more days.  Just very hard seeing your 20 year old son suffer like this.  Our next appointment in February with his Specialist.. we will discuss this and what the plan of attack should be.  He has talked about increasing the dosage.. Ouch... most costs.... just can't see us affording even the smallest percentage.  Very hard.

Hopefully you get some assistance somewhere.  I know it is hard, and I cant imagine being that young, needing the Remicade and not being able to get it.  I am 41, full time job, support 2 kids myself, but still find it very difficult to afford the Remicade.  Remifast has been very good with helping me, Trillium is a little tough sometimes, and usually take their time with things but so far I have managed to get most of the cost covered between my insurance (Sunlife), Remifast and Trillium.  I also have a very good pharmacist who is very patient about recieving payment.  He will wait until I get all the money from everyone and then I pay him.  It is a very small pharmacy, not one of the big names like Shoppers Drug Mart, and like I said he takes the time to help out, I am not just someone picking up a prescription every 8 weeks.  Shop around for a pharmacy that will help.

Your son sounds like he is struggling quite a bit, adding this worry to him probably doesnt help.  I usually start to feel lousy about 2 weeks before my next infusion as well, and really have to watch what I do and eat in order to not get too run down, or else all hell breaks loose!

Anyway, take care, enjoy the holidays.