Re: Remicade & methotrexate

[Guest guest]

My RD said that Medicare would not pay for Remicade unless two cheaper drugs (usually Methotrexate and Arava) were tried and found to be unsuccessful. I never dealt directly with Medicare but just did what my RD said and Medicare has been paying for Remicade for me for over 15 months. I am also on Methotrexate because I understand that Remicade is only approved by the FDA for RA when used together with Methotrexate. Another person who goes to the same RD is on Remicade but not Methotrexate and I have no idea how this affects payments by Medicare of if she is even on Medicare. That's my experience with it but I don't know what the official rules are. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jan Dean

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 7:54 AM

Subject: Remicade & methotrexate

It's my understanding that Medicare won't pay for Remicade unlessmethotrexate has been tried by itself and doesn't produce the neededresults. Medicare will then pay for Remicade as long as it's used alongwith methotrexate. Is this what those of you with Medicare and on Remicadeunderstand? (I have Medicare disability which covers 80% of my Remicade andmy private insurance picks up the rest.)Jan is Miss.