"The health insurance system is so complex that it is hard to parse the blame for this injustice. The drug companies, especially the biotechnology companies, are at the root of the problem; they often charge exorbitant prices for monopoly drugs that were developed with heavy government assistance. Washington needs to rein them in by encouraging generic competition for biological drugs and allowing government programs to negotiate lower prices."

I AGREE with that statement too!! It's not like they drop down the price once they pay off R&D and have a big enough market to make huge profits . . . they just keep upping the price higher. These drugs are a cash-cow for them.

Cherie

The cost of Tysabri was a big influence on whether or not I moved to that med. Because I work for a school district, and I know how what I submit influences all workers in the district, I didn't want to add any undue burden.

But in the end, I had to quit worrying about that, and worry about myself and my future.

Now the interesting part. I know for my Rebif, I paid a $30 copay, and insurance picked up the rest. Let's say it was $2000. So the insurance paid a good percentage of the cost of the med.

My estimate from my 1st Ty infusion (and it was pre-approved by my insurance) was $2451 for the med, $50 from the pharmacy to mix and prepare for infusion, $70 for the nurse to do the infusion. So basically about $2600, which I realize is a steal compared to what many are paying!

This will come under major medical, so after my deductible, I still will pay 90% of the total bill. That means I will be paying $260, instead of $30. I have a $1500 deductible also. So I'll be paying a lot more, and maybe the insurance less than if I were on Rebif.

But if this tier thing comes into play, my Rebif would be much more, but maybe not as much as Ty!

It is all so confusing.