Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Paying for treatments/medical bills


Sun, June 01, 2008 6:20 PM

Being recently diagnosed with UC; I've had to have quite a few different tests done. My insurance doesn't pay out that great. It's 80/20 and there's still copays and coinsurance and out of pocket...blah blah blah.

Currently had my crappy insurance approve 15 Remicade IV infusions for the next year. I understand that these infusions are in excess of $20,000 per infusion. Again, there is the 20% and other financial responsibilities and I honestly cannot afford them. I am a SAHM of 3 children, my husband works 2 jobs and we are lower income. How on earth can I afford to have these done?? Anyone have any suggestions or been thru this?

Thanks

 

FPO jennifer1220
Joined May 20, 2008

Mon, June 23, 2008 4:45 PM

 Reply posted for jennifer1220.

And then after all those suggestions, once you do finally get your bill, call up the finicial department and explain your situation to them. They are normally more than willing to work with you and have you pay it off over 6 months, interest free, instead of forcing you to pick between food or your medicines.

For me after my most recent flare, which had bills ranging from May 07 to August 07, I just mailed off my last check to pay it all off. Every place I had a bill with, upon me explaining my situation, allowed me to set up a payment plan, which allowed me to pay over the course of 6 months. This made the paying of my bills much easier.

FPO jenn d h
Joined Jun 16, 2008

Thu, June 19, 2008 6:00 PM

 Reply posted for jennifer1220.

You may also want to try Patient Access Network Foundation.  It's a charity that helps cover people who are "underinsured."   I'm currently signed up for Remicade assistance with them.

www.patientaccessnetwork.org

FPO skwervo
Joined Jun 19, 2008

Sun, June 08, 2008 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for jennifer1220.

I have applied for te Remistart program, it is easy to apply and qualify.  Do so right away, some it covers as many treatments as possible.  It is expensive.

FPO prospero
Joined Jun 8, 2008

Mon, June 02, 2008 10:14 PM

 Reply posted for jennifer1220.

I do feel for you and completely understand.  I am on Humira and when I lost my job at the first of the year I wasnt sure what I was going to do.  Luckily most of the pharmaceutical companies offer some kind of help with these type of drugs and I get mine sent to me in the mail for free.  I was on Remicade and with one insurance company I paid like $100 a treatment and the other I only paid for the office copay.  I know my treatments were like $2000 each.......it goes by your' weight is my understanding.  The cost of any of our drugs are very expensive except for prednisone but who wants those.  It is a struggle to pay for it all but you can also check with your' local University and if they have any type of hospital or clinic most likely they can assist you with care at a cut rate.  Hope this helps and good luck!

FPO kimhg
Joined Mar 21, 2008

Mon, June 02, 2008 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for jennifer1220.

Centacor has a 1-800 # on the Remicade website.  They can help you with the Remistart program.  Also most insurance plans have a maximum out of pocket that will kick in fairly quickly,  after that they should pay at 100% 

FPO ucmom
Joined May 30, 2008

Sun, June 01, 2008 9:33 PM

 Reply posted for jennifer1220.

there is a program called remistart that can help pay for remicade.   I haven't used it myself so I don't know too much about it but I understand that it's something your doctor can get you involved in - there may be more programs so I would tell your doc and see if they have any suggestions.
I would also research ahead of time how much different infusion centers charge.  For ex. when I get infused at the hospital it costs me about $300 but if I get it at this one infusion clinic it is only $10.  Also I believe most infusions are more in the range of $2000- 8000.

FPO woahitslibby
Joined Jan 10, 2009

Related Topics

IBD and trauma
Author Image Janeliza
Joined Apr 13, 2022

Hi all! I've had Crohn's since 2014 with m....

read more

Life Insurance?
Author Image Aperson1
Joined Dec 2, 2022

40 y.o. male looking to get life insurance.  ....

read more

IBD and exercise/sport
Author Image JS25
Joined Aug 14, 2023

This is my first post. I am 28 and I was diagnosed....

read more