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Posted 1/14/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Had to cancel my Remicade appointment for tomorrow because they said I had to bring money to pay my deductible up front which is a couple of thousand dollars which I do not have right now. I don't know what to do??????? I do get a rebate of $400 from the Remistart program but that doesn't help me right now. I already owe them over a thousand from last year since my copay was 30% and I didn't have that just sitting under the mattress!!!!!! I applied for copay assistance but they said funds were already allocated for the month. My credit card is maxed out from last years deuctible and hospitalizations between me and my family... OH...Why is it so expensive cry I am trying to get another job just to pay for this but it tough out there. Thanks for listening!!!
Posted 1/14/2010 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what other options you can go after as it seems you're already doing whatever you can.

Have you asked your doctor's office or even the manufacturer to see if there's anything else you could do to get treatment soon? Hope copay assistance some how comes through...
Posted 1/15/2010 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Gosh that's tough!  And you sound like you are doing all you can, this is terrible that you can't get the meds that help.  It seems so wrong.

And I'm with Rio, I'm not sure what to tell you except maybe call the GI and there might be something else you've not heard of. 

I hope you get to have your treatment soon.

Posted 1/15/2010 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
GLOVE!!!! I can't believe that!! How can they do that to you?? Why would they start you on something then hit you with a ridiculous thing like that! PISSES ME OFF... I would call the drug manufacturer and see if there is something they can do to help besides the Remi start program... Those drug companies want you on the drug so they can make money.. whatever the amount may be.... I pray that you can find a solution to this.... Hopefully you will last in remission until you can figure things out.. I had my infusion on October 22nd and am still doing ok, no bleeding or anything.... Just this darn right sided pain... which they still don't know what it is..... ugh...
Posted 1/15/2010 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I would call the drug compay too. Assinine. Crazy.
Posted 1/15/2010 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your support guys!! I am in contact with the Remistart people to see if there is any other program out there. They are supposed to call me back today...It sucks that the only thing that helps my UC is so expensive!!!!! I cried myself to sleep last night because I feel almost guilty that I need this drug to have a life. My hubby is angry at the doctors office because he said I should not be refused treatment because of inability to pay it all at once. OH ...What to do...what to do!
Posted 1/15/2010 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Wow that is terrible! What if you were to contact your GI and see if he can work something out like a payment plan or something? It's not right that they can do this to you!
Posted 1/15/2010 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
In the sticky thread at the top of the page (the UC resources thread) is a link to a patient advocate program. Maybe they'd be able to help. I'm sorry you're having so many issues. :(
Posted 1/15/2010 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
It's a crazy situation...not one that should be happening to you and I'm sorry for that. Fruitgirl and Red had good suggestions and I'm glad you are working with the Remistart folks. Maybe you could mention that "stress" isn't good for folks with UC....geez.
Posted 1/15/2010 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Try your local safety net/free clinic, see if they have some influence to get you what you need. Providers are used to working with them, you might have more success than trying to make arrangements on your own.
Posted 1/15/2010 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Gee Glove, I am so sorry you are having such a terrible problem. I wish I had some advice to give you but Peety, Fruitgal, and Red seem to have good advice.
I was told that all I had to pay was my co-pay at the time of the visit which is only five bucks! However, on the receipt I received from the doctor's office, it said balance due $3500!!!! I inquired about that from my insurance company and the girl assured me that I wouldn't have to put that money out of my pocket. I sure hope the right hand knows what the left hand is doing here. So far, I haven't been billed. We are retired and on a fixed income for the past several years. We have savings, but at five grand a pop, it wouldn't take long to wipe our savings out.
Keep trying to get this ironed out and let us know how you make out. You sure don't need this added stress!
Posted 1/16/2010 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
OK soo the Drs. office called again today and said I can get some more assistance that would pay another $400 of my copay but that still leaves me with a $700 copay for each infusion after I meet my deductible...and no payment plan because I am already on one for the thousand I owe them for 2009 ...I literally cried and said that I could maybe afford (by using a credit card)one more infusion but that is it....I am so depressed and stressed... and I am gurgling..hope its not my UC. Still waiting for Remistart to see if they can do anything else to help.
Posted 1/16/2010 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry to hear.
Is it possible for you to ask your doctor to figure out another plan? If not, is it possible to come up with a plan that can postpone your current plan, so that you can afford later on. If still not, have you tried some inexpensive treatments like those posted in here.
Posted 1/16/2010 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Or maybe you could appeal to Obama and get a bit of that 100 mill going over to Haiti. I realize that is a tragedy and God knows they need help but sometimes I wish the U.S. would take care of its own people who also are in dire straits.
Posted 1/16/2010 4:09 PM (GMT 0)

GLOVE said...
OK soo the Drs. office called again today and said I can get some more assistance that would pay another $400 of my copay but that still leaves me with a $700 copay for each infusion after I meet my deductible...and no payment plan because I am already on one for the thousand I owe them for 2009 ...I literally cried and said that I could maybe afford (by using a credit card)one more infusion but that is it.....

It's good that your Dr. got back to you with some more assistance. Maybe you can get the next infusion done soon then, and then that also buys you some more time to get your options sorted out before the next infusions.
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