Re: Hi group

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

I hope the Remicade works for you - if it does it will be worth every

penny that you pay for it! I was on it for a few months, but

unfortunately for me it wasn't the wonder drug it is for many. The

infusion itself isn't bad for most people (but each one of us is

different). The group my rheumy is in has a special room set up with

6 recliners, pillows and blankets, and the IV poles. It becomes a

very social event as people come in for their treatment - I miss that

aspect of it! I always took something with me to read, but often

spent the time visiting with the other patients instead. The people

who oversee the treatment are very thoughtful and caring.

Remicade is treated as a part of major medical or hospital treatment

by most insurance companies. It's also the only one of the biologic

agents that Medicare will cover (since there's no 'drug coverage'

yet) It is expensive to make as are all of the biologics are - they

actually have to grow the cells that they make the drug out of rather

then just mixing chemicals. In addition with Remicade there's also

the cost of the medical personnel who do the infusions and monitor

you while you are receiving it. My last treatment (which was an

increased doseage) would have cost almost $4,000 if I hadn't had

medical insurance.

Don't take me wrong - I'm not on the side of the drug companies and

their pricing by any means. But as someone with RA you almost always

get far more benefit (in dollars) from your health insurance then you

pay in premiums. That means that other people who aren't using their

insurance very much are paying premiums that go to pay for your care.

I don't know that there's anyone to be angry at. Yes, the drug

companies charge a lot (more then they should) for their products.

Your doctor is trying to help you, and the insurance company is

following the rules set by the policy that you have when they say how

much you owe. You can be angry with yourself for having RA and being

limited in your activities and being in a lot of pain, but for myself

I've found that being angry about having RA just wastes my energy,

and I don't have enough of that to waste.

We'll all think positive and hopeful thoughts for you as you start on

Remicade! Beth

> I finally go my appointment to start Remicade, its next friday. My

> doctor's office called to tell me that I will need to pay $500

> deductable which I expected since its the start of a new year.

Well,

> what really pissed me off was they said that my insurance treats

this

> infusion therapy as a hospital procedure, so I will also be

> responsible for the first $2,000.00 of the treatment. I am so

angry,

> I have been suffering for so long, very nervous about the

treatment,

> then they hit me with this crap.

>

> I was DX with RA in 2001, have been on every medication possible

with

> little to no relief.

>

> Im not quite sure who I should be angry at. The drug companies, my

> insurance, or my doc.

>

> At this point I am in so much pain I feel like I have to do it.

>

> Rhonda