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MS financial help for meds?

My doctor has given me options for medications for MS. These are expensive since they are considered specialty drugs. Tecfidera seems to be my safest choice for now, but I was told my insurance would only cover 50% and my payment would be about $3600. I don't have that kind of money to spend every month. I'm on unemployment. I know some of the drug companies have financial assistance....has anyone had experience with the financial assistance they provide? I can't even afford $100 a month. I'm just wondering how good their help is.

Cathy
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1831849 tn?1383228392
Keep in mind that if it weren't for Big Pharma we wouldn't have any meds to choose from :-)

Kyle
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Avatar universal
Rebif has a very good assistance program, ms lifelines -- -- no income verification etc.  & will work with or without insurance. It's just a short phone call to get it set up.
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Avatar universal
Hi Alex,
I think it is absolutely disgusting how expensive these medications are and wheelchairs for that matter. I think these drug companies take advantage of people because people need these medications. Big business and I can't stand any of them. I don't know how you do it Alex...you must be a very strong person. I pray your cancer drugs are helping.
Copaxone was one of the drugs my neurologist had on her menu of suggestions. I was considering it and then decided against it. If I don't get enough financial assistance...I won't be taking anything. It'll probably be a month before I find out what type of co-pay I'll have.
Cathy
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667078 tn?1316000935
Copaxone was pretty good. It takes awhile to qualify and they do not post pay. If you get the script filled they will not pay you back. Most drug companies will pay part of it because they want as many MS patients as they can get. You do have to send them your tax forms. I look at it this way wheelchairs are more expensive some are $26,000 and insurance does not cover it. I used to think MS drugs were high until I got Cancer. My Cancer drugs are $100,000 a month and I have to pay $4,000 of that. MS and Cancer are expensive and I have both.

Alex
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Avatar universal
Wow! I'll have to give that a try! I'm happy to hear it was easy for you to get. Sometimes when you have to fight too much...ya feel like giving up on it and going without any medication.

Cathy
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Avatar universal
Thank you Sarah...it's good to know that I might have to be pushy with them. I wish insurance would cover these drugs...insurance is expensive enough.

Cathy
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Avatar universal
Thank you Barb for the information :)

Cathy
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Avatar universal
Thank you Kyle!
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8398640 tn?1398042546
I'm on tecfidera and am on Biogen's copay assistance. I don't pay more than 10 for each refill. It was very very easy to join the copay assistance for me... Not more than a ten minute phone call
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Avatar universal
Tecfidera will offer financial help but you really have to lean on them; I had to really come down on them but finally got it free for a year and then decided it wasn't for me and went back to Tysabri which my insurance pays for as its "outpatient".  Tysabri and Tecfidera are both owned by Biogen, yes.

Unfortunately, like cancer drugs, DMD drugs for MS are very expensive.  
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Avatar universal
Hello,  
I'm currently taking Tecfidera and biogen-idec, the maker of tecfidera are very good with financial help. I am not paying even close to $100 thanks to their help.
I hope this helps.
Best regards, barb
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1831849 tn?1383228392
O forgot to mention the Bigen-Idec is the maker of Tecfidera :-)
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1831849 tn?1383228392
Hi Cathy -

I've not had any personal experience with it, but Biogen-Idec has a preety good track record with things like co-pay assistance. THere program is called MS Actuve SOurce and you can get more info here.

http://www.msactivesource.com/ms-support-and-community/ms-patient-support/cost-and-insurance.xml

Kyle
Helpful - 0
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