The cost of Enbrel & the possibility to get off in the future
The cost of Enbrel & the possibility to get off in the future
I am planning to start Enbrel shots two times a week soon. When I saw the cost of the medicine yesterday, I could not believe it. Luckily my husband is not retired yet (he is close to the age). I only need to pay $20 co-pay. For people don't have a good coverage, how could they afford. The listed retail price is $683.65! . If I have to take this medicine the rest of my life, it will be a big burden for sure. I would like to know whether medicare would cover any.
Is there any chance to get off the medicine in the future if I get better? I know right now I do need to take some medicine to help me get off Prednisone.
Hi May,
Thank you for your question! There is a patient assistance program for Enbrel. It allows you to get a few weeks of free medication. You may be interested in applying for this program once your husband retires. (You would not be eligible for this program if you have Medicare, however.) You can learn more about the patient assitance program here. It's also possible that your future insurance company will cover Enbrel with a similar copay to your current plan.
I don't know that there's a limit on the length of time that you can continue to use Enbrel, but for some patients the medication stops being effective after a long period of time. Some studies have shown the medication to remain effective and with few side effects for several years, but the medication affects each person differently and you and your doctor will have to determine the best course of therapy for your individual case. I hope this helps!
Best of luck,
Casey
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IF YOU ARE VETREN PLEASE GO TO THE VA and see a ruematoligist to get enbral for $8.00 a month
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