Enbrel has a co-pay support program; I don't know about Humira. Ask your doctor about support for whichever one you end up with. I qualified for Enbrel support (I don't know what the requirements are other than having insurance) and I pay only $10 a month. I hope your biologic works for you as well as Enbrel has worked for me and that you get help with the payments.

I'm sorry you are having flares now. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs!

Last month when my doctor mentioned going to Enbrel as the next step, I called my insurance to find out the cost. My insurance co. makes me mail order all maintenance drugs so when I asked them what my share would be they said they wouldn't be able to tell me till they had the prescription in hand and could then put the code in to let me know. How crazy is that. So, I can't even make a decision based on the cost of any drugs that may and option. Nothing about this entire process has been simple.

Go to the Humira website. I got mine for $5 per month thru their assistance program. No income limits apply.

Thanks Lois, I will check into both for sure!

offtrack-At first they wouldn't tell me. They said I had to have a pre-authorization form filled out by the doctor. I just told them I need to know the copay so I can make an informed decision. She was really nice and said she looked it up a different way and it told her $75. I hope they will let you know soon!

Enbrel was the first medication the doctors put me on about 6 yrs ago. At that time I think it was fairly new. After insurance my co-pay for a 3 month supply was $1,500. I had to take out a credit card just to pay for it. And at the time I was in college full time and working full time. It didn't work that well for me and was too expensive. This time the doctor had mentioned Humira and I told her that if it had the same cost as the Enbrel I wouldn't consider it. Remicade worked well for me last time. I am back on it now and it is covered 100% by my insurance.

It's a shame how these different insurances can have such a variety of co-pay amounts. So far all of the biologics I have been on Humira, Enbrel, Remicaide, Orencia , Simponi and now Cimzia have been covered in full. I don't know how long this will last, but I just count my blessings. I have been offered the assistance program, but have not needed it, but I am thankful that it is in place.

Humira and Enbrel both have great programs to help you pay for your meds. I took Humira for 2 months, and am now on Enbrel. Your rheumy should be able to give you information about contacting them, but you can also look them up on the web and apply for aid when you know which your dr is going to prescribe. You'll want to do that as soon as you know so you can get your meds quickly. God Bless!

I have to pay the full cost $1875.00 till I meet my deductible so needless to say I try to spread the shots out AND my charge card is thru the roof....thanks for mentioning the Enbrel card, I'll ask my rheumy (wonder why he hasn't said anything!) probably because 1875.00 isn't much to him! When I first went on the Enbrel you had to be destitute to get any help, so it's good to know they may have relaxed that requirement a little. I'm excited to see if I can get a little assistance here.

I sell health insurance and I have to say for the cost of Enbrel to pay $75 a month is excellent. I must meet my deductible and then I'm covered at 100% but did get some help from Enbrel. Your rheumy should give you info. I got my first month free also.

The website for the Embrel copay help is EnbrelSupport.com, or you can call them at 888.4ENBREL.

Gosh, I guess I've been spelling it wrong all this time.

The pamphlet does say 6 mos no outofpocket cost, 10.00 or less after that, covers copay, coinsurance, and deductible, up to 4000.00 for each 6 mos period, you can renew participation every 12 mos

what's not so nice: not open to uninsured pts, or fed / state / govt funded ins (medicare).

But maybe this info will help someone.

Thanks Madi15...my original appt. was MAy 19th. They were only able to move it up to MAy 11th. Not really sure why we even changed it, but I guess it is better than nothing. I do have to go the week before for a TB test. So, I will have to wait until then to find out which one we go with. Then I will start making some calls.

On another note, Rheumy doesn't like giving pain meds. Which I kind of understand, he thinks I am young (28) and doesn't want me getting addicted to them and they don't provide any slowing down on RA, but what am I to do until we get the RA under control?? I got to my PCP on Monday, maybe I will just ask her for some.

That's always a tough decision. I can only take NSAIDs due to the breastfeeding, but sometimes I wish I could take a pain medication. Its important thought to have some pain management, so if the steroids and NSAIDs aren't doing enough with the inflammation and you are still having pain, you may need to ask about something else.

I have not researched pain medication, so I don't know what is available and how addictive or toxic it is. Pain management is really important, though, so maybe post another discussion and see if anyone has any ideas / experience.