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Insurance

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  • Post
    • May 8, 2011 at 2:27 pm
    churchwelldana
    Participant

      I have Cigna through my job and I am currently getting Interferon shots 3 days a week at the West Clinic. I am being charged a $25 copay for each visit, that's $300 a month for a year, just for my Interferon shots! Is this typical or do any of you have advice for what I can do to reduce my costs?

      I have Cigna through my job and I am currently getting Interferon shots 3 days a week at the West Clinic. I am being charged a $25 copay for each visit, that's $300 a month for a year, just for my Interferon shots! Is this typical or do any of you have advice for what I can do to reduce my costs?

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 8, 2011 at 2:39 pm
        lhaley
        Participant

          After the high dose month most give themselves the shot, that would eliminate the copays!

            • May 8, 2011 at 2:49 pm
            churchwelldana
            Participant

              Wouldn't I still have the pharmacy copay? When I spoke with someone from my insurance she said the cost would probably be about the same. They also said the copay was to the lab.

              • May 8, 2011 at 2:49 pm
              churchwelldana
              Participant

                Wouldn't I still have the pharmacy copay? When I spoke with someone from my insurance she said the cost would probably be about the same. They also said the copay was to the lab.

              • May 8, 2011 at 2:39 pm
              lhaley
              Participant

                After the high dose month most give themselves the shot, that would eliminate the copays!

                • May 8, 2011 at 4:03 pm
                mom3girlsFL
                Participant

                  I met my out of pocket costs, however, when I went to the onc I was still responsible for the copay.  I did the shots at home myself – maybe because you are going to a clinic to administer the shot they have to charge the copay?  My interferon through the mail order pharmacy was something like $100 for the month supply.

                  • May 8, 2011 at 4:03 pm
                  mom3girlsFL
                  Participant

                    I met my out of pocket costs, however, when I went to the onc I was still responsible for the copay.  I did the shots at home myself – maybe because you are going to a clinic to administer the shot they have to charge the copay?  My interferon through the mail order pharmacy was something like $100 for the month supply.

                    • May 9, 2011 at 11:02 am
                    EricNJill
                    Participant

                      We did Eric's shots at home too.  The specialty pharmacy shipped the shots to us and we only had to pay a prescription co-pay for a 30 day supply so it only cost us $35/month.  I would definitely look into doing them at home and getting a month's supply.

                      • May 9, 2011 at 11:02 am
                      EricNJill
                      Participant

                        We did Eric's shots at home too.  The specialty pharmacy shipped the shots to us and we only had to pay a prescription co-pay for a 30 day supply so it only cost us $35/month.  I would definitely look into doing them at home and getting a month's supply.

                        • May 9, 2011 at 12:37 pm
                        Phil S
                        Participant

                          The interferon was sent to our home from Florida once per month, we had to pay $50 for the month's supply as our co-pay.  Then we just had to see the doctor once per month for blood work with a $25 co-pay, so we only paid $75 per month total.  My husband just finished his year of shots yesterday!  Good luck to you.  Valerie (Phil's wife)

                            • May 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm
                            Vermont_Donna
                            Participant

                              Hi,

                              I also, like many above, did my own shots at home, three times a week. It is not hard to learn how to do at all. Perhaps that would help reduce the costs. Also, do you have an AFLAC cancer policy throught work by any chance? I had signed up for this way before my cancer ever developed and it has been wonderful. They paid me a nice amount of money every month I was on Inteferon, and they continue to pay me a benefit for mileage, for Pet/CT scans (one a year), for surgeries, etc..its a wonderful benefit package if you have the policy specific to cancer.    

                              Ok, so if you dont, you can talk to your insurance company about any ways to reduce co-pays. Do you have a nurse through the insurance company who helps to coordinate your care?? When I had BC/BS I had a nurse care manager and she was super, she helped advocate for me with the insurance company, cutting through a lot of red tape, etc, making sure I got the most appropriate care and benefits BC/BS could offer.

                              Lastly, you can contact the makers of your interferon…you are probably on Intron A?? They may have a program designed to help those who's co pays are hard to manage…oh and I just thought of two more things…your hospital social worker may have knowledge of some programs; and the American Cancer Society (I believe it is them) can pay you a once a year $100 benefit, there is an application to fill out. I got mine from the oncology social worker and he filled out part for me. The money can be used to help pay for meds or lymphadema garments etc. I know its not much but every little bit helps!!

                              Good luck!

                              Vermont_Donna, stage 3a

                              • May 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm
                              Vermont_Donna
                              Participant

                                Hi,

                                I also, like many above, did my own shots at home, three times a week. It is not hard to learn how to do at all. Perhaps that would help reduce the costs. Also, do you have an AFLAC cancer policy throught work by any chance? I had signed up for this way before my cancer ever developed and it has been wonderful. They paid me a nice amount of money every month I was on Inteferon, and they continue to pay me a benefit for mileage, for Pet/CT scans (one a year), for surgeries, etc..its a wonderful benefit package if you have the policy specific to cancer.    

                                Ok, so if you dont, you can talk to your insurance company about any ways to reduce co-pays. Do you have a nurse through the insurance company who helps to coordinate your care?? When I had BC/BS I had a nurse care manager and she was super, she helped advocate for me with the insurance company, cutting through a lot of red tape, etc, making sure I got the most appropriate care and benefits BC/BS could offer.

                                Lastly, you can contact the makers of your interferon…you are probably on Intron A?? They may have a program designed to help those who's co pays are hard to manage…oh and I just thought of two more things…your hospital social worker may have knowledge of some programs; and the American Cancer Society (I believe it is them) can pay you a once a year $100 benefit, there is an application to fill out. I got mine from the oncology social worker and he filled out part for me. The money can be used to help pay for meds or lymphadema garments etc. I know its not much but every little bit helps!!

                                Good luck!

                                Vermont_Donna, stage 3a

                              • May 9, 2011 at 12:37 pm
                              Phil S
                              Participant

                                The interferon was sent to our home from Florida once per month, we had to pay $50 for the month's supply as our co-pay.  Then we just had to see the doctor once per month for blood work with a $25 co-pay, so we only paid $75 per month total.  My husband just finished his year of shots yesterday!  Good luck to you.  Valerie (Phil's wife)

                                • May 9, 2011 at 10:58 pm
                                bluepeople
                                Participant

                                   we do the shots at home so my hubby has to go pick up the stuff about every month and at that time he pays a $25 co-pay to the pharmacy.  I think he would stop doing the interferon if he had to go in to the hospital every MWF.  It's pretty easy, he won't do it himself, but I do it for him and it's not too difficult. 

                                  Akilyn

                                  • May 9, 2011 at 10:58 pm
                                  bluepeople
                                  Participant

                                     we do the shots at home so my hubby has to go pick up the stuff about every month and at that time he pays a $25 co-pay to the pharmacy.  I think he would stop doing the interferon if he had to go in to the hospital every MWF.  It's pretty easy, he won't do it himself, but I do it for him and it's not too difficult. 

                                    Akilyn

                                    • May 11, 2011 at 4:16 am
                                    gabsound
                                    Participant
                                      I wish I had any of your copays!! I just finished 4 week high dose phase and was told my insurance would only cover self injections at 50 percent leaving a copayment of $1400/month!!!!

                                      Currently the pharmacy and the cancer clinic are looking into copayment assistance, but since I made good money last year I may not qualify. I wonder who could afford $1400/month for 11 months!

                                        • May 11, 2011 at 5:15 pm
                                        washoegal
                                        Participant

                                          I would try dealing with the insurance directly directly.  This doesn't sound right.  I am sure diabetics don't pay 50%. 

                                          • May 11, 2011 at 5:15 pm
                                          washoegal
                                          Participant

                                            I would try dealing with the insurance directly directly.  This doesn't sound right.  I am sure diabetics don't pay 50%. 

                                          • May 11, 2011 at 4:16 am
                                          gabsound
                                          Participant
                                            I wish I had any of your copays!! I just finished 4 week high dose phase and was told my insurance would only cover self injections at 50 percent leaving a copayment of $1400/month!!!!

                                            Currently the pharmacy and the cancer clinic are looking into copayment assistance, but since I made good money last year I may not qualify. I wonder who could afford $1400/month for 11 months!

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