[KarenMarie]

Don't know where this question should be posted - am wondering how many of us are 65 or on Medicare - how many of us who fall into either of these categories are on one of the MS meds - and how are we managing to pay for them ? I find that the cost is quite high and am in a quandary as to what RX coverage is the best - will need to review coverages in November and am trying to get a head start -

Thanks

[SallyC]

I think you need more questions on your poll.
I am retired and answered as such. I am not on any of the DMDs and so, I left that blank.

I am also 65, but there was no question for that. There are many on Medicare, who are not retired and 65, some are on Disability.

As far as affording to pay for the DMDs on Medicare, some MS Meds are covered by Medicare. I'm not sure which ones, but I think Avonex is covered, because it's an intamuscular shot.

There are also other charitable avenues to take.

I wish you luck..

[NurseNancy]

i'm not 65 but i'm on ssdi.
i researched for months on my medicare decisions. and stressed too.
i went on the medicare.gov site and spoke to the representatives for several hrs.

i chose an expensive option. i couldn't bring myself to do an HMO so went with original medicare. being in an HMO may bring down your costs but limit your healthcare delivery options. you have to stay in their system.

then i decided to pick a medigap plan.
then i picked my part D, or drug, plan.

between the premiums and all the meds i'm on it's going to run me about $1100/mo. i'm on copaxone and don't yet know what that will cost me. i'm hoping that shared solutions will offer some help. it all kicks in 4/1 and i'll shell out $4050 in the donut hole.

it's all rather complicated and will take a lot of investigating so get started early.

good luck.

[tkrik]

I'm not 65 but am on Medicare as well as Medicaid. I get assistance with my drug plan and only pay $1.00 for each prescription and $3.10 for Copaxone.

You may qualify for extra help with your drug plan. I had to fill out an application for assistance. I am sure they sent the form to me as I was on Medicaid/state health system before changing to Medicare.

You can check with Medicare and they can help you decide which drug plan would be best for you. I called and the person I talked to was awesome.

Also, some of the Medicare plans offer prescription plans. You may want to look in to that. I found that most of them you had to pay something like 25% to 33% of the specialty drug.

NurseNancy is right. Start looking in to it now before you go on. Good luck.

[MooseasaurusRex]

Not 65. Not retired. Just disabled from the car wreck and I got the MS.

Need to cancel it though. I guess I should have read the paperwork more carefully. They deduct a fair chunk of my SSI for Medicare.

[doydie]

I am on 58 and on SSD but am still covered under my husbands insurance. So i haven't had to reach any of those decisions yet. Is coming soon. I guess I should mention that becasue I am on SSD I am on Medicare.

[lburdockfriend]

but i was just retired and am collecting my retire benefits now from cooper. i'm still working on ssdi and am on medicare.

Originally Posted by KarenMarie

Don't know where this question should be posted - am wondering how many of us are 65 or on Medicare - how many of us who fall into either of these categories are on one of the MS meds - and how are we managing to pay for them ? I find that the cost is quite high and am in a quandary as to what RX coverage is the best - will need to review coverages in November and am trying to get a head start -

Thanks

[Nevada Leftie]

I am retired and not on MS medications. I do take Neurontin and Flexeril for my MS symptoms. I am one of the lucky ones, insurance wise, my husband is retired military. Medicare is my primary and Tri-Care my secondary.
My scripts are very inexpensive and I do not have a co-pay for my doctors.

[the Bird]

KarenMarie,

let's redo this poll....I didn't get to play!!!

and I love polls!

[KarenMarie]

Don't know how to redo it - HELP BIRD - I did do it wrong - should have let people answer both questions and then added a few I didn't think of - but SallyC did - so how can I fix it Bird ???????

I have Medicare with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield for Medigap and then just switched in Dec to AdvantraRX for prescriptions - I did research and they were one the least expensive for Copaxone in ME - but still comes very close to what NurseNancy had to report - I find it hard to believe that they expect people on disability without a working spouse or partner's insurance to pay at least $6000 a year for an MS drug !!!!!!!!!!!

The MD's giving out these prescriptions have no idea of the cost - mine was astounded - apparently they think we all have insurance to cover most of the cost and then pay a co-pay of $15 or $25 -