Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Call SPOC again!!!! There is no reason why they should not be answering/returning your calls!! That is their job. They are being paid by Novartis and Genentec to help out Xolair patients with problems/questions!!! ( I am not very happy about the possibility of them ignoring you ,as I have continually been a positive voice for SOPC for YEARS!!!! I just may have to let a few people I know at Novartis and Genentec about your situation if it doesn't get resolved.) As for BCBS....they do have an on line website. Maybe you can go there to request the needed forms. I have BCBS Mas, but I have not sent a script into the specialty , as my doc has taken care of everything for me. Even when I WAS doing home injections I never made arrangements because the doc's office took care of everything. The specialty pharmacies did call me to finalize the home injection arrangements. --- McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> wrote: > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > script? " Their response, > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > where I send the script? > > Thanks, > > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > Mobile. Try it now. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the script? " Their response, " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know where I send the script? > > Thanks, > > > I use BCBS of Penn even though I live in Arkansas. (Company group thing) My doctors office has a nurse who takes care of all the insurance for his xolair patients. She is trained and paid to take the hassle off our shoulders so we can concentrate on BREATHING better. I switched BCBS plans this year and the whole approval process had to be re-done. She took care of everything. The doctors office has not received my first 2008 shipment yet but should any day now. This year, due to my new plan, I HAVE NO CO PAY! 'sniff " It's a miracle!!!!! My doctor knows that if I miss my xolair, that I will really get bad once again. He does NOT want that to happen. Doug Group founder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I will call BCBS back and ask to speak to a manager. You tend to get very new people on your first call if you don't ask to go up the ladder. I'm just so puzzled that BCBS doesn't know who they get their Xolair through. As far as SPOC...the best I could do is get voice mail following the first person I spoke to. Perhaps she is on vacation, or swamped, or something else. I'll try them again tomorrow. Off to bcbsil.com I go....thanks! K K <grneyyedlady@...> wrote: Call SPOC again!!!! There is no reason why they should not be answering/returning your calls!! That is their job. They are being paid by Novartis and Genentec to help out Xolair patients with problems/questions!!! ( I am not very happy about the possibility of them ignoring you ,as I have continually been a positive voice for SOPC for YEARS!!!! I just may have to let a few people I know at Novartis and Genentec about your situation if it doesn't get resolved.) As for BCBS....they do have an on line website. Maybe you can go there to request the needed forms. I have BCBS Mas, but I have not sent a script into the specialty , as my doc has taken care of everything for me. Even when I WAS doing home injections I never made arrangements because the doc's office took care of everything. The specialty pharmacies did call me to finalize the home injection arrangements. --- McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> wrote: > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > script? " Their response, > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > where I send the script? > > Thanks, > > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > Mobile. Try it now. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I'm in a different state in the SW and have sort've a sub company within BCBS but they used Curascript. I might add that Curascript was about as bad as you described. The coordinator at the doc's office did a lot of the leg work. Humerously (or maybe not) when my hubby called the insurance re Xolair they had folks calling me on the other side of the country just to tell me about Xolair even though they had never heard of it and had the " duh " response you're describing. I didn't need to know about Xolair - I just needed the med!!! Most have never heard of it and don't know how to spell it. There IS a XOLAIR COORDINATOR at Curascript - might ask for that person specifically if indeed that is your pharmacy. Again, it might be really good to enlist the aid of your doc's offfice in pushing this through. > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > script? " Their response, > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > where I send the script? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 BCBS Oregon uses McKesson, and yes, they do have Xolair. I had nothing but trouble with them. It takes three or four calls to get through, and, even then, they don't know anything. If you do get through, ask to talk to the pharmacist. The person you get to first will know nothing but billing. They only way was to have the doctor's office call them. Apparently they'll answer the phone for a doctor! My BCBS will not allow self administration of Xolair, BTW. It had to be shipped directly to the doctor's office, and I picked it up there. Kitty > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the script? " Their response, " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know where I send the script? > > Thanks, > > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I had BCBC of Illinois and went through the exact same problem. The correct specialty pharmacy is Caremark. Call at 800-237- 2767, ext. 4281. Lloyd is the head honcho for Xolair at CareMark...same number but ext. 6659. > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. So, I call BCBS > and ask, " Where do I send my script for Xolair? " They reply, > " Well....To McKesson Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes > by and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and they tell me they > aren't contracted with BCBS for Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I > call SPOC and leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, " Perhaps there is > somewhere ELSE I can end the script? " Their response, > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight answer from > BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know where I send the > script? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. > Try it now. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Not everyone who has BCBS has the same specialty pharmacy, nor do they have the same co-pays or deductibles. I have BCBS Massachusetts and the specialty pharmacy they use is Accredo Nova Facto. Just because one has BCBS, it does not mean that every one who has BCBS has the same plan. For example: My specific BCBS MA plan has a deductible, but no office co-pay for Xolair injections. Once my deductible has been met my Xolair is covered at 100%. They also have approved me to do home injections. HOWEVER, because the FDA has changed the rules about wait time, my allergist prefers to have me come in. ( I did home injections for my first two years!) I know numerous people that are on Xolair and who have BCBS from different states who were not approved for the home injection. --- jffosdick <yaj321@...> wrote: > I had BCBC of Illinois and went through the exact > same problem. > > The correct specialty pharmacy is Caremark. Call > at 800-237- > 2767, ext. 4281. > > Lloyd is the head honcho for Xolair at > CareMark...same number > but ext. 6659. > > > > > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if > Illinois. So, I call > BCBS > > and ask, " Where do I send my script for Xolair? " > They reply, > > " Well....To McKesson Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do > that and time > goes > > by and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson > and they tell me > they > > aren't contracted with BCBS for Xolair and I have > to call SPOC. So > I > > call SPOC and leave a few messages. Nothing, > nodda, zilch. So, I > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > " Perhaps there is > > somewhere ELSE I can end the script? " Their > response, > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a > straight answer from > > BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone > know where I send > the > > script? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all > with > Mobile. > > Try it now. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss a thing. Make your home page. http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I have BCBS IL from my employer United Airlines; Medco now processes all medications. I get my Xolair from Accredo Health Group - Memphis. Sorry to hear you are having problems, hang in there. Debbie **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I called my Doc's office and they said one of their patients is using Caremark so I called them and they are processing the script. I think this may solve the problem of who I can get the med's from but now I still have the issue of whether BCBS will approve it. My IgE is only 44 so I'm only supposed to take 150 per month but I take 150/75 alternating every two weeks. I'm expecting BCBS to probably approve the 150 but put the breaks on for the other 75 because it's outside the prescribing guidelines. If I can't get anywhere with Caremark I will try Curascript. Thanks. instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@...> wrote: I'm in a different state in the SW and have sort've a sub company within BCBS but they used Curascript. I might add that Curascript was about as bad as you described. The coordinator at the doc's office did a lot of the leg work. Humerously (or maybe not) when my hubby called the insurance re Xolair they had folks calling me on the other side of the country just to tell me about Xolair even though they had never heard of it and had the " duh " response you're describing. I didn't need to know about Xolair - I just needed the med!!! Most have never heard of it and don't know how to spell it. There IS a XOLAIR COORDINATOR at Curascript - might ask for that person specifically if indeed that is your pharmacy. Again, it might be really good to enlist the aid of your doc's offfice in pushing this through. > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > script? " Their response, > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > where I send the script? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Excellent! Thank you for the contact information. I just sent the script over to Caremark so hopefully that will get the ball rolling. If not I will call the people you mentioned. The lady I spoke with seemed to know exactly what she was talking about so I think we're heading in the right direction. jffosdick <yaj321@...> wrote: I had BCBC of Illinois and went through the exact same problem. The correct specialty pharmacy is Caremark. Call at 800-237- 2767, ext. 4281. Lloyd is the head honcho for Xolair at CareMark...same number but ext. 6659. > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. So, I call BCBS > and ask, " Where do I send my script for Xolair? " They reply, > " Well....To McKesson Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes > by and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and they tell me they > aren't contracted with BCBS for Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I > call SPOC and leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, " Perhaps there is > somewhere ELSE I can end the script? " Their response, > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight answer from > BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know where I send the > script? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. > Try it now. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 > > I called my Doc's office and they said one of their patients is using Caremark so I called them and they are processing the script. I think this may solve the problem of who I can get the med's from but now I still have the issue of whether BCBS will approve it. My IgE is only 44 so I'm only supposed to take 150 per month but I take 150/75 alternating every two weeks. I'm expecting BCBS to probably approve the 150 but put the breaks on for the other 75 because it's outside the prescribing guidelines. > > If I can't get anywhere with Caremark I will try Curascript. Thanks. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 On a slightly different angle re this topic ... I was wondering if you have severe symptoms (allergic & asthma)? My understanding is that the higher the IgE the worse the disease and presumably the symptoms but I get the feeling that's not at all true. Must be another aspect of this whole allergy reaction bit that isn't understood. Mine was 409, then about 350 a year ago and at over 1200 while actually on Xolair and sick (they don't recommend testing because it does not distinguish between bound and unbound). I'm well aware that suffering is suffering no matter what the numbers show. I'm on 375 mgs every 2 weeks - the max. I think I've read on this board of people w/much lower IgEs who had significant symptoms and who were helped by Xolair. Guess that's still in the " figuring it out " factory! Whatever - we need all the help we can get! > > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > > script? " Their response, > > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > > where I send the script? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with > Search. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 I'm on the bubble between being moderate and severe. I've never been pred dependent but I did have to take is fairly regularly before Xolair. When I went to 150/75 Xolair I felt " cured " for about 1 1/2 years. I don't feel that well anymore but Xolair still makes a tremendous difference. I couldn't imagine life without it. If BCBS denies it will be war. instdesgn1 <instdesgn1@...> wrote: On a slightly different angle re this topic ... I was wondering if you have severe symptoms (allergic & asthma)? My understanding is that the higher the IgE the worse the disease and presumably the symptoms but I get the feeling that's not at all true. Must be another aspect of this whole allergy reaction bit that isn't understood. Mine was 409, then about 350 a year ago and at over 1200 while actually on Xolair and sick (they don't recommend testing because it does not distinguish between bound and unbound). I'm well aware that suffering is suffering no matter what the numbers show. I'm on 375 mgs every 2 weeks - the max. I think I've read on this board of people w/much lower IgEs who had significant symptoms and who were helped by Xolair. Guess that's still in the " figuring it out " factory! Whatever - we need all the help we can get! > > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > > script? " Their response, > > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > > where I send the script? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with > Search. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 I don't think there's any one magic bullet for asthma but rather a set of solutions that must be custom tailored for each individual by their doctor. My IGE before Xolair was over 330 and I've been taking the max dose for a year and a half. I continue because I do think it's contributed overall to a higher quality of life and less breathing problems. I still take other meds but have had no Prednisone for about nine months now although I came close to grabbing for the Pred a week ago when I got into problems from riding in a smoker's car and then going to eat in a poorly ventilated restaurant. That was an attack by irritants, not by allergens which Xolair is designed to deal with. Sometimes I've gone for months without an incident, especially in the summer months when I spend a lot of time outdoors away from the indoor irritants. I credit Xolair with being as effective as Prednisone in breathing freely during those wonderful summer months. > > > > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > > > script? " Their response, > > > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > > > where I send the script? > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > > http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with > > > Search. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Xolair definitely isn't a cure but is sure is one EFFECTIVE treatment. Due to the high humidity/pollution last summer I was on Pred for 6 weeks -- the longest ever! Long enough to get fat and break out in horrible acne. It took me about 2 months to recover from it. BCBS has decided I need to recertify to be covered. Since my IgE is only 44 I know they will only approve 150 per month, if that. I just have a bad feeling about this. mister_manganese <mister_manganese@...> wrote: I don't think there's any one magic bullet for asthma but rather a set of solutions that must be custom tailored for each individual by their doctor. My IGE before Xolair was over 330 and I've been taking the max dose for a year and a half. I continue because I do think it's contributed overall to a higher quality of life and less breathing problems. I still take other meds but have had no Prednisone for about nine months now although I came close to grabbing for the Pred a week ago when I got into problems from riding in a smoker's car and then going to eat in a poorly ventilated restaurant. That was an attack by irritants, not by allergens which Xolair is designed to deal with. Sometimes I've gone for months without an incident, especially in the summer months when I spend a lot of time outdoors away from the indoor irritants. I credit Xolair with being as effective as Prednisone in breathing freely during those wonderful summer months. > > > > > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > > > script? " Their response, > > > > " ahhh.....hmmm....ooohhh..... " > > > > > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > > > where I send the script? > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > > http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with > > > Search. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I am surprised they are using Xolair with an IgE within the range of normal 50-150. Mine has been as low as 4,000 and as high as 6,000 and I am on 3 shots every two weeks (450 mg). After having been on it for 9 months they tested my IgE again, and it was still 4,000 + but the doctor says the test cannot distinguish between the amount that is bound and the amount that is unbound. Also, two treatments ago, they didn't give me the shots because I had a fever and sinus infection. For the most part, my symptoms are improved, but I still can't go shopping in a mall or grocery store if it is crowded. Forget movies or visiting people in their homes if there is carpeting or, god forbid, a cat or dog. Also, I applied for disability, and was turned down. I have been told to apply again - what a pain. I have to wait two more years until SS kicks in anyway - but two years is a long time and Xolair won't cure my condition. Sometimes the depression is bad - does anyone else get this? Anne ----- Original Message ---- From: McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:17:43 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Re: BCBS help I called my Doc's office and they said one of their patients is using Caremark so I called them and they are processing the script. I think this may solve the problem of who I can get the med's from but now I still have the issue of whether BCBS will approve it. My IgE is only 44 so I'm only supposed to take 150 per month but I take 150/75 alternating every two weeks. I'm expecting BCBS to probably approve the 150 but put the breaks on for the other 75 because it's outside the prescribing guidelines. If I can't get anywhere with Caremark I will try Curascript. Thanks. instdesgn1 <instdesgn1 (DOT) com> wrote: I'm in a different state in the SW and have sort've a sub company within BCBS but they used Curascript. I might add that Curascript was about as bad as you described. The coordinator at the doc's office did a lot of the leg work. Humerously (or maybe not) when my hubby called the insurance re Xolair they had folks calling me on the other side of the country just to tell me about Xolair even though they had never heard of it and had the " duh " response you're describing. I didn't need to know about Xolair - I just needed the med!!! Most have never heard of it and don't know how to spell it. There IS a XOLAIR COORDINATOR at Curascript - might ask for that person specifically if indeed that is your pharmacy. Again, it might be really good to enlist the aid of your doc's offfice in pushing this through. > > > I recently switched from Aetna to BCBS if Illinois. > > So, I call BCBS and ask, " Where do I send my script > > for Xolair? " They reply, " Well....To McKesson > > Specialty Pharmacy. " So I do that and time goes by > > and I don't hear anything so I call McKesson and > > they tell me they aren't contracted with BCBS for > > Xolair and I have to call SPOC. So I call SPOC and > > leave a few messages. Nothing, nodda, zilch. So, I > > call BCBS back and tell them the story and ask, > > " Perhaps there is somewhere ELSE I can end the > > script? " Their response, > > " ahhh.....hmmm. ...ooohhh. .... " > > > > So now I'm off Xolair because I can't get a straight > > answer from BCBS and SPOC won't even call me back. > > > > Has anyone used BCBS of Illinois? Does anyone know > > where I send the script? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --- > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with > > Mobile. Try it now. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile. / ;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR 8HDtDypao8Wcj9tA cJ > > > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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