Tuesday, April 07, 2009 Sue asks

Q: tysabri financial question

I have been on Tysabri for almost 3 yrs, doing best on this drug, however new insurance doesn't cover enough of the cost so that I may continue with my treatment. Is there any financial help available to pick up the difference between what my ins will pay and my responsibility?

It scares the life out of me to go back to copaxone, or rebif or the other drugs, I continually worsened while on all of those. Tysabri seem to work well with me, but as you all know I am sure $16,000.00 monthly is hugh money, now my ins co wants me to pay about $2000.00 a month, which is not possible.

I appreciate having been on the drug as long as I was, but the co-pay amount is not possible. Any suggestions?

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Answers (3)

Lisa Emrich, Health Guide

4/ 7/09 10:23pm

Hi Sue,

You should call MS Active Source at 1-800-456-2255 to talk to a representative about finding a more economical infusion center in your area. It's not widely known, but the amount charged per Tysabri infusion varies greatly from location to location. I do know of some patients for whom their insurance approves and pays a charge for each Tysabri infusion as low as $3000.

Also, I believe that Biogen/Elan have a program to assist with co-pays for infusions. MS Active Source should be able to help. Please let us know how it works out.

Marlene1105

4/ 9/09 1:03am

Hi Sue,

Like you, I am on Tysabri and have been feeling much better than I ever did with Copaxone.

I ran into the very same problem. The cost was too much for me. I spoke to my Neurologist about the situation and she wrote a letter to my Insurace Company. (At the time it was AARP and medicare). About two weeks later, I recevied a letter from my Insurance Copany that 18 additional treatments had been appoved. I have a co-pay; however, it is only $30.00 a treatment.

Also, you might get in contact with the MS Foundation and see if they have any referrals for financial aide they can suggest to you. They helped me quite a bit when I was on Copaxone.

Hope this helps,

Good luck & Take care,

Marlene

Debbie Pike

4/ 9/09 10:43am

Biogen has a finacial aid program for those of us who can't afford it. You might want to give them a call.

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