I am glad that there are folks on my side regarding Infusion Center billing and Tysabri costs.

My infusion is being delayed until this issue if resolved, because the infusion center is not yet getting the message. Biogen is dealing with them as I type this note.

Here is a copy of the bill that the infusion center just sent me. It is my co-pay, after my insurance company has already paid its part.

I will note on my Tysabri graphs, assuming they continue, where my Tysabri infusion was delayed.

-Vic

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Looks like I have to pay the $1,346.58 today.

The "Assistance" will not be made available for a while.

Ugh...

ALSO: I will be on-time with my infusion schedule,...broke,....but on-time. So there is no need to annotate the gaphs!

Victor, I'm sorry the cost of your Tysabri remains a problems. Question - why not go to a different infusion center that charges appropriately?

As for their assistance program, through NORD, anyhow, they have a long process. I actually have the paperwork - and I'm still gathering all of the documents for them. Sigh. Like I have the energy for this! But they also told me that it will take time even when they do get it all - and they won't pay retroactively.

When I was on copaxone (for 5 weeks), their financial assistance was available to me immediately and it was seamless. Oh well.

Tomorrow I have my second infusion. I spoke to my neuro today and he said it was okay to have the Ty while on antibiotics. Not going to post more about this...at least until after I have the infusion. I'm already 5.5 weeks since my first one - and I don't want it delayed any more!

Vic - I hope it all works out for you....


~Keri

Keri,

I am in the proces of getting assistance for the costs, but it looks like my bill arrived just before the final approval date so I am stuck with the bill.

It could be worse. At least they will get paid and Biogen is working with my insurance company and the assistance program to help me find a more appropriate infusion center after my next infusion.

I am glad that you are going to get your next infusion. Keep us posted.

-Vic

Vic, this is just WRONG!

We all realize the US healthcare system needs to be revamped and you are living proof!

I am appalled at your costs. It scares me too, because I don't know what I would do if my insurance changed and I had to pay that much. I couldn't do it. I'd have to change therapy and I sure don't want to do that.

I hope your assistance comes through soon! Thanks for letting us in on such a personal battle and please let us know how it goes and keep posting on the process so others will know how to go about fixing this if it happens to them?

I'm glad you're doing it this way Vic. I know the big payment is bad ... but I think it's more important that you keep your infusions on time. When I read your posts the last couple of days, I was concerned that you were going to postpone one. My last one was about five days late, and I felt a bit more fatigued than usual for that last several days. I hope your next one will be on time with the financial assistance in place.

I just received a letter from Anthem Blue Cross (my insurance co.), and it looks like they are tightening the thumbscrews on my existing infusion center because of their insane costs. Now, the insurance company has added two local infusion centers (within 5 miles of my house), and they have quoted a cost that is 30% less than my existing infusion center, and will not charge the unidentifiable costs! Hence, that will actually be a price drop of 45%, which is manageable.

However, only when I see it in writing I will be happy to go to one of them.

I do like the way this is going. Good old-fashioned competition between infusion centers!

-Vic

EDIT: I just received a call from the infusion center and BIOGEN is sending the Tysabri to them so that the infusion center cannot mark-up the price by 50%. LOL

Hi Vic,

I've been off neurotalk for a few weeks but I came back to check in and discovered your good news. I am so happy to hear that your Tysabri costs are going down!! It made me smile.

Natalie

A while back I had to change infusion sites on a temporary basis from Florida to Pennsylvania. It was not an easy process BUT changing back to my old infusion site took only three phone calls ! One to cancel my appointment at one site, one to make an appointment at the other site, and most important the call to Biogen to make the switch back.

It only took two days!

LOL Joelle! Maybe someday it will just be a phone call to one place and it's done!

Thanks for posting through the process of switching! I am sure there will be more folks who have to go through this who will find your posts helpful!

I'm glad everything worked out! Now...HOW are you feeling?