Cost of Medication

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Eileenohio
Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Just saw the post regarding Avastin. WOW $8000.00 per month.  I have not been diagnosed yet,my biopsy is 12-2-11 -- but this is concerning. How do people with big copays pay for medications ?  I have  prescription coverage but it is not that great and has a BIG copay . I would have to sell my house just to pay for medications.  I pray that there is help for all persons that cannot afford their medications. Any cancer patient should not have to worry about paying for their medications.  Cost of medication is shocking.. Have a great weekend. Sending cyber hugs to all.  Eileen

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2011

    Many oncology practices do not bill the drugs to your prescription plan - they bill it as a medical treatment.  Whoever the financial counselor is at your MO office should cover all of this with you.  I usually have a co-pay for any meds from the regular pharmacy, but I pay a standard office visit co-pay when receiving chemo.  If your center and/or insurance does not work this way, there is help available from the drug manufacturers themselves via their websites.  I don't think very many of us could afford to pay the actual chemo costs! Good luck!

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited November 2011

    Eileen,

    Check the thread above yours "Insurance plan input"  A couple of us posted some websites that help with medication.

    Terri

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  • lauri
    lauri Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2011

    Don't panic just yet -- not all treatments are at the Avastin cost level.  For example, I'm now on Arimidex which as a generic costs me $55 per 90 days at Costco.  (Noteven  enough to break through the Rx annual deductible.)  As noted, your chemo will most likely be billed to insurance as medical visit, not as prescription drugs.  So just take this one day .. and one treatment .. at a time. 

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited November 2011

    You need to check out your health insurance benefits.  Mine specifically lists chemotherapy as a medical procedure being 90% covered.  And since I had already met my out of pocket maximum for the year, my chemo was covered at 100%. 

    Most insurance companies have nurse navigators or case managers (they may have a different name) who can be assigned to help you with all the insurance questions.  Call the customer service number on the back of your coverage card and ask about that.  This person will guide you through the maze of services to which you are entitled.  And if you run into any payment denials, s/he can also help clarify the issues for you. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2011

    Hi all! Good info here on the main Breastcancer.org site on Paying for Your Care.

    Hope this is helpful!

    --The Mods

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