Health Insurance / Medications

If you have either Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis then chances are you are taking some sort of prescription medication to help you manage your symptoms. Or, minimally, you need to see your gastroenterologist once or twice a year for a check-up. And if you don't have health insurance these costs can really begin to add up, especially with all the changes we're seeing today in the economy.

The most important thing to know about health insurance is this: if you currently have health insurance and you quit your job, change jobs, or are laid off try not to let your health insurance lapse until you can figure out a way to get new health insurance. Why is this important? Because, as long as you have health insurance that is covering a pre-existing condition, like IBD, then when you sign up for a new insurance plan the law says that they cannot exclude coverage for that pre-existing condition.

In certain instances you can COBRA your health insurance while you are between jobs. COBRA is a law that was passed in 1986 that contains provisions for certain employees giving them the right to temporarily continue their group health coverage that was provided by their employer. This coverage is available in certain instances and even though you can continue to use the health coverage you received while employed it will be up to you, not your former employer, after your employment terminates to pay for the coverage. You can go to www.cobrainsurance.com to learn more about this option.

If you have no health insurance at all you can look to places like www.coverageforall.org which can help you figure out what health insurance plans you do and don't qualify for in the state where you live.

When it comes to getting medications, more and more companies are helping people get the prescription medications they need. In the October 21, 2008 issue of the Wall Street Journal, an article titled, "Patients Seek Financial Aid to Buy Medicine" gives advice on how to go about applying to patient-assistance programs to receive medications and lower rates or for free. Some of the web sites listed in the article that may be helfpul include: www.NeedyMeds.org; www.pparx.org; www.RxAssist.org; and, www.togetherrxaccess.com.    

Another option is to go directly to the pharmaceutical company that makes the medication you need. On the company web sites more and more of these companies have programs to help patients who are unable to afford the prescription medications they need to get and stay healthy. Some pharmaceutical companies that are currently offering patient helps plans include:

• Shire US for Pentasa at www.pentasaUS.com/Consumers?PAP.aspx
• Salix Pharmaceuticals for Colazal at www.salix.com/products/colazal/indes.aspx
• Alaven Pharmaceuticals for Rowasa at www.alavenpharm.com/patient/html
• Procter and Gamble for Asacol at www.asacol.com

Many of the newer medications for Crohn's disease like Humira, Remicade, and Cimzia may or may not be included in these programs. As of this writing I did not find any information on the particular company web sites offering patient assistance programs for these medications. But, it is always worth making a phone call or writing and email to ask if the pharmaceutical company is willing to help you get their medication for your treatment.