Green Light
So I got a call from my health insurance today, letting me know that my Tysabri had been pre-approved. I spoke with my insurance folks for a while because, as an infused treatment, Tysabri is paid for out of my medical insurance benefit rather than my prescription medication benefit and I wasn't sure what that meant for my out-of-pocket costs. What I found out was this: it means a whopping $500 out of my pocket each year for this treatment... Guess I know now where my "economic stimulus" check is going: to stimulate Biogen's coffers. Sigh.
Still, I am grateful to have insurance that covers the majority of the cost; it really is a blessing and something I am mindful of whenever I look at my Explanation of Benefits statements my insurance sends. And I'm gratefuI that, as a result, I get to take advantage of this new, more effective medication!
Anyway, I also received a call today from the Biogen Idec people ("at the request of my doctor") to, I assume, schedule my first infusion. I didn't actually talk to these folks because my cell phone was turned to "silent" and I missed the call. However, I will call them back on Thursday (in back to back meetings all day tomorrow) and hopefully I'll get my first infusion within the next 30 days!
Stay tuned - I'll let ya'll know how it goes...
Comments
Best to you as you venture down the Tysabri highway! I do hope all goes well for you and keep us ALL posted!
Linda D.in Seattle
Posted by: Linda D. | May 15, 2008 01:10 AM
considering the fact that, at least in my case, each infusion costs about $8,500, paying $500 a year out of pocket ain't too bad.
Posted by: stephen | May 15, 2008 03:15 AM
considering that the "real" cost of tysabri is like $20,000 a year, i'd say that $500 is a bargain! that's less than $50 a month, and less than my cell phone plan. i thought i'd have to pay much much more.
my first tysabri infusion is next tuesday. i'm very excited to get started.
Posted by: jen | May 15, 2008 04:05 AM