Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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BitterootFlyer 12/13/2011

I was diagnosed in June '03 and found out quickly I was under-insured. Aside from the pharmaceutical, my coverage is pretty good but I have a high deductible. My Neuro wants me to have MRI's done every year to monitor my condition. Last year's MRI's $$ were covered since I'd met my deductible but this years wasn't going to be. I shopped around and found the best price and I drove down to have an MRI last Thursday. Today I had my appointment with the Neuron and we went over the results and no change was good news, but based on some new symptoms I'm having he wants me to have a MRI of my spine done.

I was figuring on doing the easy payment plan with last Thursday's MRI but cannot afford to have one done of my spine for another year or until I am approved for SSDI.

Thankfully I got on a poor boy discount program for my Betaseron and Ampyra. Without it I couldn't afford the drugs. Does anyone know a program that offers help with Spine MRI $$$$ ?

deleted_user 12/13/2011

Have you contacted the MS Society?

BitterootFlyer 12/13/2011

I found phone numbers for the MS Society and one for MSAA. The internet is a wonderful tool.

I will make some calls tomorrow and see if there is anything out there.

Thanks,
Tom

almairis 12/14/2011

Hi, also if you belong to a church they could help. My lessions are in my spinal cord and the symptoms were numbness that started crawling up till my armpits , bowel problems, balance all that, if suspecting an exacerbation, would be good to have the treatment, because my neuro said mine didn't have to get so bad if treatment was received while waiting for MRI, hope you find help soon and stay well.

lchoppel 12/14/2011

Something should come up at the MS Society as Amy has said. They offer help in this area. However, if for some reason they cannot offer finacial assistance, contact your doctor and be honest with him. Tell him you cannot afford a MRI and ask him if he knows of another source you can try tapping. Sometimes they know trials or special programs that can help folks in your position. Good luck.

deleted_user 12/14/2011

From what I have heard MSAA is your best bet. Don't forget to beg as I find that works quite well with these agencies and with doctors and hospitals. Call the hospital social worker where you have it done as they are full of resources and can even negotiate the fee down with the radiologists and the hospital administration. Good luck.

MSInterrupted 12/16/2011

Sounds like you've already seen this, but thought I'd post for anyone else in trouble..

http://www.msassociation.org/programs/mri_institute/

provides grants for MRI's to people with an MS dx

BitterootFlyer 12/16/2011

I called MSAA and they told me that if I qualify they will help pay for one cranial or cervical spine MRI a year but not a lumbar spine MRI. I need a c-spine MRI so I downloaded the forms and sent one to my Neuro In Idaho Falls and he will return it with a prescription for the scan. Then I will mail all the forms in and see if I qualify. If I qualify they will pick a MSAA-recommended imaging center for me to go to.

I hadn't heard of MSAA before and they seem to offer some great help. I'm going to apply for help with a cooling vest before next summer, maybe it will help me handle the heat better.

Thanks Everyone, your help is appreciated.

deleted_user 12/16/2011

MSAA so much better than MS Society! Great on information as well and kind people. Good luck and YES do get the cooling vest.

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