Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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altoclef 12/17/2013

I'm trying to get new insurance for my family through the new health insurance exchange. I have never seen such a useless, ill-conceived, slow, aggravating website in all my life. Designed by kale-eaters, no doubt.

I'm looking at drug formularies, trying to see if biologics at all, and which ones specifically, are covered. They are not under biologics, anti-rheumatics, DMARDS, rheumatologic agents, or anything else I could think of. Any ideas?

For those of you who have not had the pleasure, it's all that and worse! I may not see anyone's answer, as I have the feeling a shoe might go through the computer screen before the night is over.

altoclef 12/17/2013

The drug formulary is a 48-or-more-page PDF for each plan, so going through line by line won't do it.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

bluedogs2 12/17/2013

Maybe just searching for arthritis might show something up??? It's definitely a challenge

Peace
Bluedogs2

deleted_user 12/18/2013

We managed to hang on to our insurance, but we had to go to a lower coverage. I'm thinking we won't be able to afford the co pays now and my son and hubby will have to stop and I will never get to try it....my kids can't afford obamacare at all and they have three kids...oy

deleted_user 12/18/2013

Is there a TNF/anti-TNF category?

deleted_user 12/18/2013

Morgan, might you and your kids be eligible for your state's Medicaid? I think I heard that they are generally expanding/relaxing eligibility for it.

stephgas 12/18/2013

if it's a PDF, you should be able to search using CTRL-F.

carrottop50 12/18/2013

Jen,
thanks for the info about medicare... I will keep that in mind if I have to go on Orencia. Good to know

deleted_user 12/18/2013

Ayvah, My son is self employed, he can't get unemployment in the winter when his work slows way down and they "make too much overall" for any benefits. They spend all summer playing catch up for the winter bills and have a terrible time putting enough away to tide them over.

This could easily become political, so all I will say is this. I don't believe anyone in Washington has our best interests at heart at this point....as long as they are provided for, we can eat cake..

deleted_user 12/18/2013

Amen to that!

bluedogs2 12/18/2013

A Double Amen ...

My upbringing forbids me to voice my true feelings about all that is going on with the health care system.

I'll have TWO slices, Please.

Peace to us all
Bluedogs2

altoclef 12/18/2013

You can't have two. There isn't that much leftover, and those of us not of the 1% or members of Congress only get the leftovers. Sorry it's stale and a bit moldy around the edges. There is a nice kale salad. It's indigestible, so you'll feel full longer.

altoclef 12/18/2013

Good call, 51%, immunologic agents it is. Thank you. They're at least listed, but Tier 4 as far as pricing goes. "Tier 4" is not precisely defined, but I think it means, "We will laugh in your general direction should you ask."

deleted_user 12/18/2013

On our insurance tier 3 and 4 are the most expensive. They went to tiers, even though it's not ACA. I think our co pay is going to 45%, so there will be no way we can get it, even for our son. Makes us feel like crap parents, but they are about 1000 bucks a shot...there's just no way and I think that's the point....

Better start munching on that kale...no cake in this joint...

nonightshades 12/19/2013

if the overseers of this site delete this response it will not bother or surprise me. This is a political answer but intended in no way to be partisan. Want to fix many many things, want to create investment oppotunity for those with wealth while creating tremendous numbers of new jobs AND lowering costs dramatically yet while simultaneously causing wages to rise significantly? Break up the monopolies/oligopolies of insurance, pharma, banking, energy and telecommunications.

this is all that i will say since this is a non-political forum.

stephgas 12/19/2013

morgan, be sure to reach out to the pharma company for payment assistance. even if you already have, do it again. it can't hurt.

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