Re: Self dosing (injection) Remicade? Remicade vs Enbrel - cost

[Guest guest]

I take remicade (a miracle drug for me). A relative of mine takes

Enbrel for psoriatic arthritis but it is costing her a fortune. She

wants to see if remicade would cost her less - we live in PA and she

has medicare. Anyone know anything about this? Her doctor says she

could have remicade if it is less money.

--- In , " maggiemac52 " <maggiemac52@...>

wrote:

>

> Has anyone heard if this is available or if it will be available soon?

>

[Guest guest]

It's my understanding that, since Remicade is an infusion, done in a

medical facility, that they treat it differently from prescription

drugs that are taken or injected at home. Medicare, however, pays just

80% of anything. That means that it would still be expensive, but

perhaps cheaper than Enbrel is being for her.

Sue

On Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at 08:19 PM, maggiemac52 wrote:

> I take remicade (a miracle drug for me). A relative of mine takes

> Enbrel for psoriatic arthritis but it is costing her a fortune. She

> wants to see if remicade would cost her less - we live in PA and she

> has medicare. Anyone know anything about this? Her doctor says she

> could have remicade if it is less money.

>

[Guest guest]

It depends on the insurance. When I was on Remicade, up until 2 years

ago, it paid 100% since it was done as an infusion in the office. The

medication was 1,000.00 per vial at that time, and i had gotten up to,

I'm pretty sure it was 10 vials per infusion, once a month. At that

time that was a lot, and wasn't helping that much. We switched me over

to enbrel since I have RA and Psor.A. and it's really helped. Hope

this info helps, and best wishes.

Jane

> >

> > Has anyone heard if this is available or if it will be available

soon?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Was this Medicare or other insurance?

Sue

On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at 09:44 AM, JANE wrote:

> It depends on the insurance. When I was on Remicade, up until 2 years

> ago, it paid 100% since it was done as an infusion in the office. The

> medication was 1,000.00 per vial at that time, and i had gotten up to,

> I'm pretty sure it was 10 vials per infusion, once a month. At that

> time that was a lot, and wasn't helping that much. We switched me over

> to enbrel since I have RA and Psor.A. and it's really helped. Hope

> this info helps, and best wishes.

> Jane

[Guest guest]

I have been on embrel since 2002. I self-inject twice a week. This

works well for me inasmuch as I still work full time, and taking off

work for transfusions would be difficult (due to my nasty office

manager). The meds are $1500 for 8 trays = that is a month's supply.

My insurance pays all but $40. The only side effect, beside an

injection site black & blue mark, is nasal congestion. I feel also

that it is working well for me. gentle hugs! Marcia

> > >

> > > Has anyone heard if this is available or if it will be available

> soon?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I still use the twice-weekly 25 mg Enbrel, too. I tried the

once-weekly, and it didn't seem to last as long for me. I have to pay

$50 a month for mine. It's doing a wonderful job for me. Plus, I don't

have any adverse side effects.

Sue

On Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 10:32 AM, marciastoyle wrote:

> I have been on embrel since 2002. I self-inject twice a week. This

> works well for me inasmuch as I still work full time, and taking off

> work for transfusions would be difficult (due to my nasty office

> manager). The meds are $1500 for 8 trays = that is a month's supply.

> My insurance pays all but $40. The only side effect, beside an

> injection site black & blue mark, is nasal congestion. I feel also

> that it is working well for me. gentle hugs! Marcia

>

[Guest guest]

Try calling Enbrel. They have a hotline, Enliven Services, where you

can apply for prescription drug cost help. Even since she does have

medicare, it wouldn't hurt to apply for help. I know it helps with

co-pays, and since I was dropped by my parent's insurance and am just

starting my career I was able to get it for free for a few months.

~Autumn