Humira Assistance Program // It's Easy!

[Guest guest]

To anyone who is without insurance and has the RA diagnosis: I’m self

insured (ie no insurance!) and my rheumy really wanted me on a biologic. I

read about the Humira Assistance Program and asked him about it. Abbot

labs is really generous about “sharing the wealth” and making Humira

available to everyone. I filled out a half page form, my rheumy filled the

other half and sent it in. I had to tell them my income, and because we’re

self employed they were fine with an old bank statement as proof of income.

As the customer svc rep said, “They’re very generous about accepting

people.” I thought it would be harder than that. Once I was approved

they sent me a great book about diet and RA, (worth $26) a nice insulated

bag to carry my Humira in when I travel, and a video. They ship me three

months at a time, and each three months they just ask if your income /

insurance situation has changed. Each year you have to send them a new bank

statement, 1040, etc. I’ve been really happy with the Humira, other than

being depressed (which is almost certainly unrelated.) I wasn’t even able

to wear my wedding band and engagement ring anymore because of swelling in

my hands, but now I can wear them and they’re almost loose! The rheumy is

happy with the results in my small joints, but I still have problems with my

shoulders, hips, and ankles pretty regularly. He said he might increase my

dosage to once a week, and that the assistance program will cover it. That

would be $2600 worth of Humira per month! I’m certainly grateful to Abbot

Labs. To anyone who doesn’t have coverage and needs a biologic, ask your

rheumy about the Humira Assistance Program! I thought we made too much, but

they were pretty liberal. After all, to afford a mortgage payment’s worth

of med’s you’d have to be making quite a bit of money… Anyway, sorry I got

off on an unrelated tangent, but I’ve been meaning to share this with the

group for a month. If anyone has any questions, just ask me!

Hugs to all,

Carol

[Guest guest]

Carol, that is wonderful that you are able to get Humira free. I'm glad

I have good insurance that will pay for my Enbrel with a $25 co-pay and

hope that they'll continue to do so when I turn 65 in August and get on

Medicare. I hope the changes in Medicare will not affect my present

drug coverage. Sue

On Wednesday, February 18, 2004, at 07:48 PM, Carol wrote:

> To anyone who is without insurance and has the RA diagnosis: I’m self

> insured (ie no insurance!) and my rheumy really wanted me on a

> biologic. I

> read about the Humira Assistance Program and asked him about it.

> Abbot

> labs is really generous about “sharing the wealth” and making Humira

> available to everyone.

>