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...
i had enrolled like a month ago while i was still battling with my insurance company/rheumy's office and kept missing their calls. i finally remembered to call them back and i'm glad i did.
the woman i spoke to was very nice, looked up my account and told me how to use the enbrel support card. when the pharmacy asks me for my copay, i tell them i have this card and give them the info. for the first six months, they cover up to $4,000 worth of copay or whatever so i don't have to pay anything out of pocket. after that, they cover up to $4,000 worth of copay and i'll won't have to pay more than $10 out of pocket for the next six months. she told me that the pharmacy bills my insurance company first, then they will bill whatever is left on this card.
she also offered me a sharps container with mail back instructions - so i have something to do with all my syringes that is safe and legal. AND they have little travel packs with cooling thingies so i can travel with enbrel. i just love free gadgety things.
they also have nurses on staff for questions. she set up an appointment for a nurse in my area to call me tomorrow - i could even ask for a home visit to learn about using enbrel or asking questions or whatever. it never hurts to have another perspective (even if it's from a nurse who swallowed the enbrel kool aid and is going to do nothing but sing its praises).
so anyone who is not on government funded health programs (medicare, medicaid), call. even if you have good insurance, call. i know humira has a similar program on their website.
the woman i spoke to was very nice, looked up my account and told me how to use the enbrel support card. when the pharmacy asks me for my copay, i tell them i have this card and give them the info. for the first six months, they cover up to $4,000 worth of copay or whatever so i don't have to pay anything out of pocket. after that, they cover up to $4,000 worth of copay and i'll won't have to pay more than $10 out of pocket for the next six months. she told me that the pharmacy bills my insurance company first, then they will bill whatever is left on this card.
she also offered me a sharps container with mail back instructions - so i have something to do with all my syringes that is safe and legal. AND they have little travel packs with cooling thingies so i can travel with enbrel. i just love free gadgety things.
they also have nurses on staff for questions. she set up an appointment for a nurse in my area to call me tomorrow - i could even ask for a home visit to learn about using enbrel or asking questions or whatever. it never hurts to have another perspective (even if it's from a nurse who swallowed the enbrel kool aid and is going to do nothing but sing its praises).
so anyone who is not on government funded health programs (medicare, medicaid), call. even if you have good insurance, call. i know humira has a similar program on their website.
I could not afford to be on this if not for this co-pay card! It is wonderful.
Cindy
After my year was up, they sent me a letter telling me how to renew my card for the next year.
I have been on all three. On orencia now.
that would be co pay programs for those insured, sharps containers for free and travel bags with cooler packs.
when you travel for business or family if applicable if longer than 3 weeks you can also ship ahead to the location you are going to. i shipped to my attention care of the address and had no issues Cindy. Orencia walked me through it and there was not a blink.
now that actemra is going to go to an injection I guess that will make 4.
orencia card renews automatically no call no interaction, nuthin. kind of convenient. one less thing to remember.
i guess they want to protect their millions - goddess forbid you interrupt :)
Ros
they should probably send us all roses monthly also :)
Company
Treatment
Cost per patient per year (estimated)
2012 sales
J&J
Remicade
$20,000
$6.14 billion
AbbVie
Humira
$20,000
$4.38 billion
Amgen
Enbrel
$20,000
$4.24 billion
Patrice
not that it matters because it doesn't seem to be working, but that's another post ;)
I'm going on Orencia.
Not sure who informs you of the co pay program.
Hoping the speciality pharmacy.
Should be getting a call any day.
I had pretty good relief on the Enbrel.,
Hope you get the same.
Sammy
it made me feel more like a partner in my treatment. i like having that resource from enbrel.
call the orencia hotline just google the number, you proactively have to put yourself on the co pay program by applying (you have group health insurance?) - it will not happen automatically.
they send you a card that I never used - hard plastic - and it just renews year to year without you doing anything.
12 fills at $5 per month. they pay the rest of your copay.
your doctor does not do this, you do it.
the specialty pharmacy runs a fake claim through just to see what your benefit level is. the doc of course writes the scripts.
i have had NO issues with the specialty pharmacies in years other than going through the same drill every month. and having enough ice packs in the summer for the drugs. once out of all these times fed ex returned the package to their fed ex main office. the specialty pharmacy at that point paid extra for a direct courier to my house. it's the 2K you know. they try real hard to get it in your hands.
Ros