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How expensive is UC treatment in the US?

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Posted 5/17/2018 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Also, green card holders are eligible to participate in the marketplace, where you can buy insurance for 2 months until your employer's plan kicks in:

/www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/



[activated your link. This is helpful]

Post Edited By Moderator (notsosicklygirl) : 5/17/2018 5:25:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/17/2018 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a great medical plan. We have an above average plan, however we still have a $3000 family deductible every year, and I am really the only one who uses medical coverage. That is where the HSA helps, because my employer puts in $1500 which I can use towards the deductible and I put in the other $1500 myself through bi-weekly payroll deductions.

What I would strongly recommend, DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR MEDS DURING THE 60 day waiting period. Bring enough of what you are currently taking to cover that time period. Same with diet and other stuff... look for continuity.

To this day, I still fork over $3,000/year to get Salofalk 500mg tablets from Canada (my home country) because none of the American mesalamine oral formulations worked for me. Whatever it takes to stay healthy right?
Posted 5/17/2018 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I am already stocking Mezavant to cover at least the first three months. It is less easy to bring over enemas, I would need a whole suitcase filled with it for a three month supply. So I am already accepting the idea of self paying fully for it until insurance starts, possibly buying it from Canada.

What are the best sources to buy medications from Canada? How long does it take to get the medicationsonce the order is sent through?

Since I will be moving to an area just 60 miles from the Canadian border, is it legal to go to Canada to buy medications or could I have troubles when crossing the border? Do Canadian pharmacies accept US prescriptions?
Posted 5/17/2018 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Also, if and when you plan on transitioning to American oral mesalamine, I would recommend doing it gradually. Start introducing the American med a bit at a time, while decreasing your normal meds that your body is used to and see how you react. You can't be too careful, although admittedly my flares have been really severe at times. Hopefully you have mild disease.
Posted 5/17/2018 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
"Is it legal to go to Canada to buy medications or could I have troubles when crossing the border? "
As far as living in the USA, and ordering medications from Canada goes: Importation of medication from Canada is technically illegal, but somewhat unenforced. You do risk the medication be confiscated at the border. A number of people have ordered medications, from Canada over the years, and had them delivered to the USA without issue.

"Do Canadian pharmacies accept US prescriptions?" Yes. Generally, you have to take a picture of your paper prescription, fax or send a copy over, or something of the like.

You can travel via air with enemas in checked baggage. You can ship enemas to your destination before arriving.
Posted 5/17/2018 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't noticed any difference between 4g/60ml mesalamine enema brands in terms of effectiveness. However I am sensitive to sulfite, so I need to use the sulfite-free. Because the manufacturer of sulfite-free Rowasa has been out of stock for months, I had to order enemas from Canada (salofalk brand). I got it from canadadrugpharmacy.com. It's about $250 for 21 doses. For Salofalk tabs, I get them from northwestpharmacy.com

You can bring a 3 month supply across the border without any trouble. Problem is getting a Canadian prescription. The mail order pharmacies will take scripts from American doctors. Northwest pharmacy (just outside of Vancouver) will let you pick orders up if you order over the phone and make arrangements. Not sure where you are going to be living.

The salofalk enemas from Canada have sulfite in them and make me feel like crap, but I have no other choice right now but to use them to tide me over.

Post Edited (C_G_K) : 5/17/2018 6:19:46 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/20/2018 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your replies. It’s really valuable information since the American system is a lot different.

C_G_K thank you for letting me know about Canada. It’s a relief knowing I can get Salofalk from Canada because other brands don’t work for me either, like you said it happens with you. I was worried about trying new brands and I have already tried Pentasa which sucks for me. I am curious as everyone only talks about pills, does anyone take granules? Is it not commonly prescribed there? I’ve been taking granules and they work the best for me
Posted 5/20/2018 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Salofalk granules aren't available within the usa.
Posted 5/20/2018 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I think the granules are only available in the U.K., Australia and a few other countries? In theory, Salofalk tabs are very similar, in that they start releasing mesalamine in the terminal ileum and then continue to do so throughout the colon.
Unfortunately, there is only one brand in the U.S. that starts to release at PH 6 (like Salofalk) and that is Apriso. However it is only approved for maintenance of remission and so the dosage is low and doctors are leery about prescribing higher doses off label, and insurance companies often won't pay for doses higher than recommended. So I'm stuck getting Salofalk tabs from Canada.
I don't understand why the makers of Salofalk don't get FDA approval and offer it in the United States. I think a lot of people could really benefit. They are probably getting paid off by someone to stay out of the market. LOL.
Posted 5/21/2018 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks iPoop and C_G_K

I don't get why Salofalk isn't in the US either. Salofalk tablets were good to me too. On average how much do you guys spend per month on insurance and how much do you guys spend on meds/doc appointments?
Posted 5/21/2018 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
Medical premiums are about $200 per pay period (every 2 weeks). We get the most expensive plan because of my U.C. which requires expensive meds. Covering the deductible and out of pocket max costs another $5,000, of which my employer covers $1500. So we are out of pocket about $8700 in the average year, but that is tax deductible, so probably around $6,500 once that is worked in.
Our insurance covers Mayo clinic and waits for specialist appointments and tests, etc., are minimal, so overall it's dirt cheap for all the excellent medical care we get. The SFRowasa alone is worth about $24,000/year and canasa another $10,000 (yeah ridiculously overpriced I know!). Also our plan is a PPO, so we can go to specialists directly without going through our family doc.
Now, what you pay will be completely dependent on the terms of your insurance. You have to be careful that any doctor or facility you use is "in network" or costs will sky rocket.
Posted 5/21/2018 9:01 AM (GMT 0)

C_G_K said...
Medical premiums are about $200 per pay period (every 2 weeks). We get the most expensive plan because of my U.C. which requires expensive meds. Covering the deductible and out of pocket max costs another $5,000, of which my employer covers $1500. So we are out of pocket about $8700 in the average year, but that is tax deductible, so probably around $6,500 once that is worked in.
Our insurance covers Mayo clinic and waits for specialist appointments and tests, etc., are minimal, so overall it's dirt cheap for all the excellent medical care we get. The SFRowasa alone is worth about $24,000/year and canasa another $10,000 (yeah ridiculously overpriced I know!). Also our plan is a PPO, so we can go to specialists directly without going through our family doc.
Now, what you pay will be completely dependent on the terms of your insurance. You have to be careful that any doctor or facility you use is "in network" or costs will sky rocket.

It is not yet clear to me if, once you reach your out of pocket limit, you still keep paying for appointments and services by out of network providers. Or does it really depend on your specific insurance plan?

Besides, if I have a procedure in a foreign country which is cheaper than anywhere in the USA (and it will likely always be so...), does the insurance cover it?
Posted 5/21/2018 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Premium of your health insurance varies quite wildly. Our employers subsidize the cost for insurance. The employer pays the larger share and then we pay a portion out of each paycheck. A few hundred dollars a paycheck is normal, I think. If you are not employed, or your employer does not offer health insurance then it is a crazy expensive burden.

Generally no, out of country procedures are not covered at all. Rare to cover procedures done out of country. I had that coverage when my wife worked for the federal government, but other plans are a definite no.

A maximum is a maximum. Once you've paid your maximum you should be fine. Just becareful of multiple maximums (maximum for meds, maximum for in-network, maximum for out of network, etc.) some plans have multiple, independent maximums for specific things.
Posted 5/21/2018 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Our plan has a separate out of pocket max for out of network and it is really high. I would never use an out of network provider or facility... it's really risky. Some may not be covered at all or other coverage exclusions may apply.
Also, our plan only covers real emergencies if we are out of the country.
There is usually someone in the HR department of your work that can explain coverage. Also, once you get your medical cards, you can call the insurer and ask lots of questions.
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