Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
even though I had a migraine.
We changed insurance as of April 1 (not our choice). With the last insurer, I had to make three appeals in order to get more than 4 Relpax pills a month. My doctor prescribed 18. After making a complaint to the Arizona Department of Insurance I was granted 16 pills. I argued that I usually get 13-14 migraines a month and at times need two pills to handle one migraine.
Anyway, I immediately called this new company and asked if I could just forward my appeal letter so they could give me the needed number of pills. After many, many calls from one department to the next, I was told to put a request in for my prescription at the pharmacy and they would take it from there.
I have NO idea what happened but they approved the new prescription the same day.
Just wanted to let you know that it is so important to be persistent.
We changed insurance as of April 1 (not our choice). With the last insurer, I had to make three appeals in order to get more than 4 Relpax pills a month. My doctor prescribed 18. After making a complaint to the Arizona Department of Insurance I was granted 16 pills. I argued that I usually get 13-14 migraines a month and at times need two pills to handle one migraine.
Anyway, I immediately called this new company and asked if I could just forward my appeal letter so they could give me the needed number of pills. After many, many calls from one department to the next, I was told to put a request in for my prescription at the pharmacy and they would take it from there.
I have NO idea what happened but they approved the new prescription the same day.
Just wanted to let you know that it is so important to be persistent.
I read that for expensive treatments they'll bounce you around with postponments and appeals hoping that your employer will switch carriers before they have to spend much money.
Your approach, going to the regulators, is beautiful, because it's cheaper for them to just pay up than it is to deal with the state.
I am one of those people who will go to the top when the worker bees and middle men get in the way! FYI.. Investor Relations Directors/Officers.. and Public Affairs Directors/Officers hate the threat of bad press. OR .. they just love pulling strings to help others.
It is a great day, Shelley!
Relpax costs our ins co $25 a pill. We can only get 6 a month. It's a migraine pill that you take at the on-set of a migraine. Very effective. Taken after that it's a waste of a good pill. When you're out.. for the month, then you're outta luck. That's our experience.
My daughter's M.D. determined her best med is Indomethacin. So far so good! Not sure if she'll need any more Relpax.
Hope this helps!
1. In order to get more pills, you need to show that you have tried two preventative medications (like Topamax etc.) and you have to prove how many pills you get a month. I have years of records that I keep.
2. If you have NO insurance, I highly recommend that you contact the manufacturer. Many pharmaceutical companies will provide free medication as long as you have NO insurance for medications.