OT September Chit Chat

[Howie]

Virginia, that's so not fair. All the government and big Pharma things make me so mad. You want to take their med, and NEED it because it works, but they only care about money. I so hope you can find some solution!

[Cat Dancer]

I wonder what help the rebid manufacturer might offer you if you call them? Perhaps they could quickly tell you which companies will pay for it, or maybe they could negotiate something for you. Might be worth a try.

[Cherie]

Virginia,
I just went through the paperwork that came in the mail last week. AARP United Health Care part D is what I have. It is going from $40/month to $52/month this year but Rebif is still in the formulary with Prior Authorization needed. Patient Access Network is what I finally got my copays covered with and was able to get back on Rebif. Fingers crossed they will give me another grant for 2016.

[Gary]

I am tired of being tired and I don't want to have MS anymore. Anyone else that wants on my list of getting rid of it just let me know.

I have a Dr appt tomorrow and and first on my list is changing AD's I just don't think they are working as well anymore. I have shops that would make Norm Abram from This Old House jealous and I have no interest in even going out there. Actually I did go in the wood shop sat on my chair and stared out the window and went back to the house.

I think I will go to bed now and see if my attitude improves by tomorrow morning.

Sorry for the whine and rant.

[Howie]

Gary, you whine and rant all you want. That's what we are here for. We ALL understand what you are going through, what you are feeling. We have all been there in one way or another.

Finding an AD that works was a long process for me. I gave them a full 30 days to see if it would work for me. That's why there are so many. What works for one doesn't mean it will work for another.

But eventually, you find one that lifts the fog, and makes you feel normal again. That's all anyone wants from an AD.

Good luck finding the right one. It is there.

[Virginia]

I don't know if my computer will let me stay on long enough to type this. This is first time today I have been able to get on. Time Warner, who I have my service with is coming out to change modems for me tomorrow.

Gary, I want on that list of yours of people who are sick of dealing with MS. I am like you, I just plain don't want anymore of it.

Dealing with the insurance mess is making it worse. Cherie, I talked with MS Lifelines representative just a few minutes ago and she said to keep trying the insurance companies and also to call Medicare if I needed to for information. Other than that, at this time, they have offered no help. When the phones are back to working all the time and the internet is back to working full time I will begin again. Patient Access Network is who has given me a grant for last last year and this year, but they will not commit to 2016. Of course they would not want to until I get a different insurance anyway. The United Health Care Prescription Part D premium here in North Carolina is $59.20. I just have to see how many of my other drugs they will cover also. I am on seven medications so I have to check them all to see just how covered I would be. They told me yesterday that they could not give that information out yet.

[Cherie]

Virginia,
I just received the United health explanation of benefits for August. Year to date out of pocket medication expense has been $5960.15 when we are supposed to have a maximum out of pocket of $4500. And there is still 4 months to go till the new plan year! My $87 copay on bystolic is now $8 (go figure). My Patient Assistance grant was to the end of May 2016 for the Rebif.

[Howie]

Have you ever noticed when I reply to a post, I don't post a "Thank You" to the post? I don't mean to. I thank every post if I read it, and I pretty much read EVERY post. So forgive me if I don't post "Thanks". We all need to feel free to post on any subject, agree or not. Carry on, and "Thanks".

[Cat Dancer]

I don't thank every post either. Doesn't mean I like/don't like them, or are grateful that someone's posted...just haven't gotten used to the "thanks" thing. Took me forever to feel OK about "like" on facebook, too...

[Virginia]

Cherie, not meaning to scare you here, but maybe a head's up is better than not knowing something. When I spoke to Patient Access Network a few days ago they told me that even though I would have money left on my grant that they put in in April that it was no longer any good as of December 31, 2016. She said in other words it is as though it is not there. This may not apply to you since you will be keeping the same Prescription Part D insurance. I really do not know. You might want to check with them no later than November to make sure it is still going on until your grant money runs out. Just in case it isn't you would have time to reapply for 2016 if you know you need to.