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Hi BA60, welcome and thanks for your question. If you know where you'll be having this infusion, you can call the billing office and ask what the price would be without insurance. The only figures I have are from 2007, so the price probably has changed.
In 2007 the Reclast retail price was *approximately* $800.00, plus you have to add the cost of the infusion on to that so that would make it more. You can also call 1-866-RECLAST and ask this question to get a more up-to-date price.
Novartis also has a patient assistance program for those without insurance and you can check that out at 1-800-245-5356 or log on to www.pap.novartis.com for more information.
Good luck and if you have any other questions just re-post.
I had the Reclast infusion in August 2009 at the recommendation of my physician, since a bone scan showed I had developed osteoporosis of the spine despite being on oral medication for several years. I have insurance. As an outpatient at the local community hospital in Mt. Pleasant, SC which is in-network, I still have to pay $2500 out-of-pocket. The infusion therapy was $272.16, the Reclast itself was $4, 923.72 (!!!!) and "supplies" were $147.96. Total charges $5,34.84 for a 15 minute infusion. Had I known this, I would've said "No, thanks. I'll stay with my once-week Fossamax and take my chances."
The hospital adjusted $1,641.38 and my insurance paid $1,202.46. But I still have to pay $2500. I am on an unpaid medical leave from work for another problem and the $209 a month payment to the hospital until October 2010 is a real hardship on us. I know I should be lucky to have insurance (which is very, very expensive in itself), but is this $5,343.84 charge for Reclast obscene or what?
Hi Grandma M, welcome to the community. Obsecene, is an understatement. I had no idea they were charging that much, since all the figures I have are from new releases and other patients who had the infusion and quoted what they paid.
I will contact Novartis to find out what in the world is going on!!! If everyone gets charged this amount, I need to know that. However, I have quite a few patients that are reporting much lower amounts for charges, so I just DON'T get it!!
Sorry about this, and is there any way to appeal this price through your insurance beyond what you've already done?
For all considering this, make sure you get the "total" price up-front including the hospital charges, drug charges and any other ancillary charges they apply for the infusion (like lab tests supplies, etc).
Good luck and if I find out anything I'll definitely let you know. Hang in there and I hope it works without side effects.
I was supposed to get the reclast infusion and after checking with the hospital it would have been $6500 and my portion after insureance was $1650. I cant afford that so I am staying on my once a week dose of Actonal.
I was supposed to get the reclast infusion and after checking with the hospital it would have been $6500 and my portion after insureance was $1650. I cant afford that so I am staying on my once a week dose of Actonal.
I was supposed to get the reclast infusion and after checking with the hospital it would have been $6500 and my portion after insureance was $1650. I cant afford that so I am staying on my once a week dose of Actonal.
My wife got the bill from our hospital for her 15 min Reclast infusion: Pharmacy $11431.31; IV solutions 83.80; med-sur supplies 55.16; clinic 179.35; other Rx svs 112.00. Our insur paid $6912.41. We owe out of pocket $2274.14. Absolutely unbelievable, especially since she had obtained the Reclast last year thru Walgreens and paid the copay of $40.00, then took it to our dr's office, where a nurse (who unfortunately was no longer there this year, hence had it done at the clinic) did the infusion. Total cost was $40 plus whatever the office visit cost was. Something is very wrong.
Hi Flagstaff, welcome... All I can say is WOW! I wish I could find out what is going on. When I call the manufacturer, they tell you that you can only get the price from your insurer, since each would have a different copay/coverage charge. I had no idea you could pick up the med from a pharmacy and then take it to your Dr. or infusion center. I wonder, if all these post about these exorbitant prices are all through hospitals. There are infusion centers in your local oncology offices, and they shouldn't be able to charge all those extra fees.
For any one considering this, check the price first, if you can, and then look in your phone book for oncologists/hematologist in your area. They almost always have a section of the office for cancer or blood treatments that require IV administration, so they usually have Boniva IV and Reclast treatments as well.
I wish I could say what's going on, but I don't get it and Novartis won't tell me anything. Please everyone check this out first before you get stuck with a bill like this--Unbelievable!!!
I have tried foxamax, terrible side effects. Doctor gave me samples of Bonevia and Actonal, also terrible side affects. I would like to try Reclast, but my insurance won't pay for it. My doctor told me I have severe osterio.
I just received my 3rd infusion of Reclast on 1/24/11. The past 2 times I had full insurance coverage and was never advised of the cost. My health insurance has changed so this year I received the bill, and the total charges were $3,655.00. I was treated in the infusion center at our local hospital and was there less than an hour. I am in SHOCK!!!! How can this be a fair charge?
what is cost of reclast?
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Hi Ba60, I forgot to mention that if you qualify for the patient assistance program at Novartis, you can get *one free* infusion of Reclast.
Good luck...