Yervoy questions

Health care reimbursement account is an account that I pay into through my paycheck, pre-tax. So it reduces your taxable income, and can be used for paying co-payments, prescriptions, glasses, doctor visits, etc. It is once a year election, and it is use it or lose. So most people without terminal or chronic diseases have to make an educated guess how much they will need to put into the account. The maximum annual contribution is $5,000. We have been increasing ours over the years as my wife's chronic medical conditions have worsened. Last year we maxed it out in August after 3 surgeries and hospitalizations. I know there are also medical savings accounts for people with high deductible health insurance to cover the amount up to the deductible, co-pays, etc.

Hope that helps, and thanks everybody for their responses.

Thanks,

Bruce

Health care reimbursement account is an account that I pay into through my paycheck, pre-tax. So it reduces your taxable income, and can be used for paying co-payments, prescriptions, glasses, doctor visits, etc. It is once a year election, and it is use it or lose. So most people without terminal or chronic diseases have to make an educated guess how much they will need to put into the account. The maximum annual contribution is $5,000. We have been increasing ours over the years as my wife's chronic medical conditions have worsened. Last year we maxed it out in August after 3 surgeries and hospitalizations. I know there are also medical savings accounts for people with high deductible health insurance to cover the amount up to the deductible, co-pays, etc.

Hope that helps, and thanks everybody for their responses.

Thanks,

Bruce

Health care reimbursement account is an account that I pay into through my paycheck, pre-tax. So it reduces your taxable income, and can be used for paying co-payments, prescriptions, glasses, doctor visits, etc. It is once a year election, and it is use it or lose. So most people without terminal or chronic diseases have to make an educated guess how much they will need to put into the account. The maximum annual contribution is $5,000. We have been increasing ours over the years as my wife's chronic medical conditions have worsened. Last year we maxed it out in August after 3 surgeries and hospitalizations. I know there are also medical savings accounts for people with high deductible health insurance to cover the amount up to the deductible, co-pays, etc.

Hope that helps, and thanks everybody for their responses.

Thanks,

Bruce

Have been trying to navigate through the healh insurance maze trying to find out how Yervoy is covered. United Health Care (UHC) has told me via secure messaging that Yervoy is covered by our medical coverage and that it can be dispensed by specialty pharmacy Prescription Solutions, which we have used before. Called Prescription Solutions and they don't carry it. So I called the toll free number on the back of my health insurance card over the weekend, and ended up talking with Medco, the mail order pharmacy that we use with our health insurance. Apparently they answer the UHC number on the weekend. Found out Medco doesn't cover Yervoy either, which I didn't really expect that it would. So I called UHC this morning, even read them the secure message and gave them the message ID, but they couldn't figure out where the message came from. After 25 minutes I was given the name of another speciality pharmacy Bioscrip, and was given a toll free number to call. So I was able to set up an account with Bioscrip, and they will fax a form to Jackie's oncologist, who has to fill it out, and send it back to Bioscrip. Then Bioscrip will contact UHC to find out if Yervoy is covered, how much the co-pay would be, etc. Said it would take 5-7 business days to get it setup, and shipped to Jackie's oncologist or the cancer center within 24-48 hours of receiving the form from the oncologist. Today I got another secure message stating that we are responsible for the co-pay and maximum annual out of pocket. But still haven't got a straight answer if that is what applies to Yervoy. So hopefully we have put the machinery in motion for Jackie to start receiving Yervoy soon. Seems that either we are getting the runaround or UHC doesn't have a clue, or maybe we just haven't got to the right peope that know yet. Not sure if this is typical rigamorale or not. Would welcome comments or suggestions.

Thanks,
Bruce

Have been trying to navigate through the healh insurance maze trying to find out how Yervoy is covered. United Health Care (UHC) has told me via secure messaging that Yervoy is covered by our medical coverage and that it can be dispensed by specialty pharmacy Prescription Solutions, which we have used before. Called Prescription Solutions and they don't carry it. So I called the toll free number on the back of my health insurance card over the weekend, and ended up talking with Medco, the mail order pharmacy that we use with our health insurance. Apparently they answer the UHC number on the weekend. Found out Medco doesn't cover Yervoy either, which I didn't really expect that it would. So I called UHC this morning, even read them the secure message and gave them the message ID, but they couldn't figure out where the message came from. After 25 minutes I was given the name of another speciality pharmacy Bioscrip, and was given a toll free number to call. So I was able to set up an account with Bioscrip, and they will fax a form to Jackie's oncologist, who has to fill it out, and send it back to Bioscrip. Then Bioscrip will contact UHC to find out if Yervoy is covered, how much the co-pay would be, etc. Said it would take 5-7 business days to get it setup, and shipped to Jackie's oncologist or the cancer center within 24-48 hours of receiving the form from the oncologist. Today I got another secure message stating that we are responsible for the co-pay and maximum annual out of pocket. But still haven't got a straight answer if that is what applies to Yervoy. So hopefully we have put the machinery in motion for Jackie to start receiving Yervoy soon. Seems that either we are getting the runaround or UHC doesn't have a clue, or maybe we just haven't got to the right peope that know yet. Not sure if this is typical rigamorale or not. Would welcome comments or suggestions.

Thanks,
Bruce

Have been trying to navigate through the healh insurance maze trying to find out how Yervoy is covered. United Health Care (UHC) has told me via secure messaging that Yervoy is covered by our medical coverage and that it can be dispensed by specialty pharmacy Prescription Solutions, which we have used before. Called Prescription Solutions and they don't carry it. So I called the toll free number on the back of my health insurance card over the weekend, and ended up talking with Medco, the mail order pharmacy that we use with our health insurance. Apparently they answer the UHC number on the weekend. Found out Medco doesn't cover Yervoy either, which I didn't really expect that it would. So I called UHC this morning, even read them the secure message and gave them the message ID, but they couldn't figure out where the message came from. After 25 minutes I was given the name of another speciality pharmacy Bioscrip, and was given a toll free number to call. So I was able to set up an account with Bioscrip, and they will fax a form to Jackie's oncologist, who has to fill it out, and send it back to Bioscrip. Then Bioscrip will contact UHC to find out if Yervoy is covered, how much the co-pay would be, etc. Said it would take 5-7 business days to get it setup, and shipped to Jackie's oncologist or the cancer center within 24-48 hours of receiving the form from the oncologist. Today I got another secure message stating that we are responsible for the co-pay and maximum annual out of pocket. But still haven't got a straight answer if that is what applies to Yervoy. So hopefully we have put the machinery in motion for Jackie to start receiving Yervoy soon. Seems that either we are getting the runaround or UHC doesn't have a clue, or maybe we just haven't got to the right peope that know yet. Not sure if this is typical rigamorale or not. Would welcome comments or suggestions.

Thanks,
Bruce

Hi NY Karen,

Appreciate your responses. Jackie has several related chronic conditions that we have to consider before starting any treatment for her. She has a local oncologist who has previously treated her for anemias from the side affects of rapamyacin to treat one of her chronic conditions. She also has an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who has followed her for 6 years for an islet cancer that so far has been asymptomatic. We just heard that the liver biopsy done on Monday at Mayo was postive for melanoma. Jackie also has a rare lung disease that affects women of child bearing age. We have consulted with the rare lung disease specialists to see if any other patient has taken Yervoy, and none has. However there is a good chance that the Yervoy could also slow the progression of her lung disease. Jackie has had several blood tests, breathing tests, etc. that will serve as a baseline prior to starting treatment. These can then be repeated after treatment to see if Yervoy also slow the lung disease down. We started the paperwork in December with the local oncologist to apply for co-pay assistance with Yervoy. Both of her oncologists have experience with Yervoy. We live in SE Wisconsin. I think we have done everything we need to do. The sticky thing is we have been waiting for Jackie to make the decision to start treatment. I think today's confirmation that the melanoma is indeed in the liver will help her make that decision. The main thing she is concerned about is whether she can tolerate the side affects. The feedback I have gotten to my posts have been very helpful on this and confirms what the oncologists have told us.

Thanks,
Bruce.

Hi NY Karen,

Appreciate your responses. Jackie has several related chronic conditions that we have to consider before starting any treatment for her. She has a local oncologist who has previously treated her for anemias from the side affects of rapamyacin to treat one of her chronic conditions. She also has an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who has followed her for 6 years for an islet cancer that so far has been asymptomatic. We just heard that the liver biopsy done on Monday at Mayo was postive for melanoma. Jackie also has a rare lung disease that affects women of child bearing age. We have consulted with the rare lung disease specialists to see if any other patient has taken Yervoy, and none has. However there is a good chance that the Yervoy could also slow the progression of her lung disease. Jackie has had several blood tests, breathing tests, etc. that will serve as a baseline prior to starting treatment. These can then be repeated after treatment to see if Yervoy also slow the lung disease down. We started the paperwork in December with the local oncologist to apply for co-pay assistance with Yervoy. Both of her oncologists have experience with Yervoy. We live in SE Wisconsin. I think we have done everything we need to do. The sticky thing is we have been waiting for Jackie to make the decision to start treatment. I think today's confirmation that the melanoma is indeed in the liver will help her make that decision. The main thing she is concerned about is whether she can tolerate the side affects. The feedback I have gotten to my posts have been very helpful on this and confirms what the oncologists have told us.

Thanks,
Bruce.

Hi NY Karen,

Appreciate your responses. Jackie has several related chronic conditions that we have to consider before starting any treatment for her. She has a local oncologist who has previously treated her for anemias from the side affects of rapamyacin to treat one of her chronic conditions. She also has an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who has followed her for 6 years for an islet cancer that so far has been asymptomatic. We just heard that the liver biopsy done on Monday at Mayo was postive for melanoma. Jackie also has a rare lung disease that affects women of child bearing age. We have consulted with the rare lung disease specialists to see if any other patient has taken Yervoy, and none has. However there is a good chance that the Yervoy could also slow the progression of her lung disease. Jackie has had several blood tests, breathing tests, etc. that will serve as a baseline prior to starting treatment. These can then be repeated after treatment to see if Yervoy also slow the lung disease down. We started the paperwork in December with the local oncologist to apply for co-pay assistance with Yervoy. Both of her oncologists have experience with Yervoy. We live in SE Wisconsin. I think we have done everything we need to do. The sticky thing is we have been waiting for Jackie to make the decision to start treatment. I think today's confirmation that the melanoma is indeed in the liver will help her make that decision. The main thing she is concerned about is whether she can tolerate the side affects. The feedback I have gotten to my posts have been very helpful on this and confirms what the oncologists have told us.

Thanks,
Bruce.

Hi NY Karen,

Appreciate your responses. Jackie has several related chronic conditions that we have to consider before starting any treatment for her. She has a local oncologist who has previously treated her for anemias from the side affects of rapamyacin to treat one of her chronic conditions. She also has an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who has followed her for 6 years for an islet cancer that so far has been asymptomatic. We just heard that the liver biopsy done on Monday at Mayo was postive for melanoma. Jackie also has a rare lung disease that affects women of child bearing age. We have consulted with the rare lung disease specialists to see if any other patient has taken Yervoy, and none has. However there is a good chance that the Yervoy could also slow the progression of her lung disease. Jackie has had several blood tests, breathing tests, etc. that will serve as a baseline prior to starting treatment. These can then be repeated after treatment to see if Yervoy also slow the lung disease down. We started the paperwork in December with the local oncologist to apply for co-pay assistance with Yervoy. Both of her oncologists have experience with Yervoy. We live in SE Wisconsin. I think we have done everything we need to do. The sticky thing is we have been waiting for Jackie to make the decision to start treatment. I think today's confirmation that the melanoma is indeed in the liver will help her make that decision. The main thing she is concerned about is whether she can tolerate the side affects. The feedback I have gotten to my posts have been very helpful on this and confirms what the oncologists have told us.

Thanks,
Bruce.

Hi NY Karen,

Appreciate your responses. Jackie has several related chronic conditions that we have to consider before starting any treatment for her. She has a local oncologist who has previously treated her for anemias from the side affects of rapamyacin to treat one of her chronic conditions. She also has an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who has followed her for 6 years for an islet cancer that so far has been asymptomatic. We just heard that the liver biopsy done on Monday at Mayo was postive for melanoma. Jackie also has a rare lung disease that affects women of child bearing age. We have consulted with the rare lung disease specialists to see if any other patient has taken Yervoy, and none has. However there is a good chance that the Yervoy could also slow the progression of her lung disease. Jackie has had several blood tests, breathing tests, etc. that will serve as a baseline prior to starting treatment. These can then be repeated after treatment to see if Yervoy also slow the lung disease down. We started the paperwork in December with the local oncologist to apply for co-pay assistance with Yervoy. Both of her oncologists have experience with Yervoy. We live in SE Wisconsin. I think we have done everything we need to do. The sticky thing is we have been waiting for Jackie to make the decision to start treatment. I think today's confirmation that the melanoma is indeed in the liver will help her make that decision. The main thing she is concerned about is whether she can tolerate the side affects. The feedback I have gotten to my posts have been very helpful on this and confirms what the oncologists have told us.

Thanks,
Bruce.

Hi NY Karen,

Appreciate your responses. Jackie has several related chronic conditions that we have to consider before starting any treatment for her. She has a local oncologist who has previously treated her for anemias from the side affects of rapamyacin to treat one of her chronic conditions. She also has an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who has followed her for 6 years for an islet cancer that so far has been asymptomatic. We just heard that the liver biopsy done on Monday at Mayo was postive for melanoma. Jackie also has a rare lung disease that affects women of child bearing age. We have consulted with the rare lung disease specialists to see if any other patient has taken Yervoy, and none has. However there is a good chance that the Yervoy could also slow the progression of her lung disease. Jackie has had several blood tests, breathing tests, etc. that will serve as a baseline prior to starting treatment. These can then be repeated after treatment to see if Yervoy also slow the lung disease down. We started the paperwork in December with the local oncologist to apply for co-pay assistance with Yervoy. Both of her oncologists have experience with Yervoy. We live in SE Wisconsin. I think we have done everything we need to do. The sticky thing is we have been waiting for Jackie to make the decision to start treatment. I think today's confirmation that the melanoma is indeed in the liver will help her make that decision. The main thing she is concerned about is whether she can tolerate the side affects. The feedback I have gotten to my posts have been very helpful on this and confirms what the oncologists have told us.

Thanks,
Bruce.

We found out that health insurance covers Yervoy based on co-pay, deductible, and maximum annnual out of pocket expense. We meet with Jackie's oncologist this morning to discuss the treatment plan. Jackie is challenging to get blood out of, and challenging to start an IV, so we have an appointment with a surgeon Monday morning to schedule the installation of a port. The oncologist office has faxed the paperwork to the specialty pharmacy to start the process of getting the Yervoy ordered and sent to the cancer center. Probably the day after the port is installed, Jackie will have her first Yervoy infusion. If all goes well, Jackie should start Yervoy treatment next week.  

We found out that health insurance covers Yervoy based on co-pay, deductible, and maximum annnual out of pocket expense. We meet with Jackie's oncologist this morning to discuss the treatment plan. Jackie is challenging to get blood out of, and challenging to start an IV, so we have an appointment with a surgeon Monday morning to schedule the installation of a port. The oncologist office has faxed the paperwork to the specialty pharmacy to start the process of getting the Yervoy ordered and sent to the cancer center. Probably the day after the port is installed, Jackie will have her first Yervoy infusion. If all goes well, Jackie should start Yervoy treatment next week.  

We found out that health insurance covers Yervoy based on co-pay, deductible, and maximum annnual out of pocket expense. We meet with Jackie's oncologist this morning to discuss the treatment plan. Jackie is challenging to get blood out of, and challenging to start an IV, so we have an appointment with a surgeon Monday morning to schedule the installation of a port. The oncologist office has faxed the paperwork to the specialty pharmacy to start the process of getting the Yervoy ordered and sent to the cancer center. Probably the day after the port is installed, Jackie will have her first Yervoy infusion. If all goes well, Jackie should start Yervoy treatment next week.