Happy New Year Everyone!

Now that we're in the new year, of course so isn't a lot of our insurances. I received my last IVIG treatment on December 31st because of my co-pay cost. I've been given IVIG once a week for about 4 years and this will be the first time I've gone without it for more than 10 days. My doctor suggested plasmapheresis because my co-pay is 20% which he feels would be cheaper for me (Not so for my insurance co). The thing is, I don't have a clue what the cost of pheresis would be - is it really cheaper?

If anyone could let me know what they pay or know what the total cost of one treatment I would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

I just had my first series of 4 plasmaphersis in mid-December while I was in the hospital for a crisis. The bill hasn't been submitted to insurance yet, but the nurse who did the treatment one day said she believed they billed $5,000 per treatment (mine was inpatient as opposed to outpatient). If that's the case, I know the insurance company will probably pay them less than half of that. I live in Ohio and have very good health insurance coverage thru my husband's employer. I'm sure the cost may vary somewhat from state to state and country to country. I'll post back on this thread when I see what they billed.

I'd also be interested in what other people's insurance was charged & paid.

First, let me say Welcome to our group. I do not know the cost as my local hosp doesn't do it. I do remember back in 1991 when I got my hosp bill they itemized it and it cost 300 to take the blood and 300 to put it back and I was laughing saying but what if I can't afford to put it back? Do you keep it?

I would call the hospital where you live and ask them the cost. Some hospitals will accept your ins. as payment in full, you could ask about that as well.

I hope all works out for you. Please keep us updated.

Welcome to the website.

When i had my plasmapheresis in hospital, it was more expensive, something like 4000. Yet oupatient which ive done 10 times, it was 1,500. However my insurance pays for all of this...I hope this helps.

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to have these treatments outpatient. With my insurance they state that my co-pay is 20% when done as an outpatient. The IVIG I was receiving is now 33% but I received it at home - so it was only the cost of the drug. The thing is, even at 33% after I'm through the donut hole (I'm now disabled) it will still cost me about $1,000 a month. They make the cost of the IVIG so high that now that I'm disabled no way can I afford it. The thing is the insurance company will now get a hospital bill for surgery so I can get the pheresis. My doctors have tried taking to them but . . . I'm to see the surgeon later today. Let alone all the problem pheresis can cause – you would think they would be smart about it and just wave my co-pays.

Welcome, MGartist,

I have plasma exchanges regularly, but I live in Canada, so it's covered by OHIP. Sorry that I can't help you in the way of costs.

I've tried IViG, and found that it didn't work for me. My MG is sorta unusual, though, and plasmapheresis is the most effective treatment for mine.

There aren't really any side-effects to plasma exchange, at least not like IViG. I found IViG terrible- the swelling, rashes, worst-headache-ever. As long as your hemoglobin is normal, there are some problems that can occur during the exchange, but they're mainly related to calcium-depletion, and that's carefully looked out for during the exchange.

They'll monitor you for numbness around the lips and in the fingers, or an odd taste in your mouth to make sure that you're not low on calcium at any point during the exchange. It's happened to me twice, but I've had about 35-exchanges this past year, so those are pretty good odds. It's dealt with quickly, and the symptoms subside quickly, so not to worry.

No pre-medicating required either, so you aren't zoned out on Benedryl with the day kinda ruined afterwards (the benedryl was awful for me).

I hope that it doesn't turn out to be too expensive for you. It's been extremely helpful for me, and I hope that it is for you too.

Nicky