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Remicade costs!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/23/2018 11:21 PM (GMT -7)
Hi, all. First post here. I’ve had CD diagnosed for over 30 years, and recently retired (yaaay). Remicade has been working for me for over 12 years. I will have continuing insurance coverage for another 12 to 18 months, but after that, I have no idea how I’ll pay for the ongoing expense. Current invoices every 8 weeks run close to $30,000. My husband and I are investigating whether it might be cheaper to go to Canada for Remicade. My GI is supportive of me staying on Remicade or switching to Humira, my choice. Since R has worked so well for me, I am hesitant to change. Your thoughts or comments? TIA!
Posted 1/24/2018 5:29 AM (GMT -7)
Have you looked into Remistart? Just google it or ask your GI about it.
Posted 1/24/2018 9:50 AM (GMT -7)
You should not have a problem getting assistance. It works with private insurance on the co-pays. Some people pay 0 to a much smaller co-pay. Since Remicade is working I would not rock the boat knowing there is help available.
Posted 1/24/2018 5:30 PM (GMT -7)
Not sure why your GI would suggest switching to Humira? If Remicade is working well for you, stay the course. You would only transition away from Remicade if it stopped working for you.
Posted 1/24/2018 6:34 PM (GMT -7)
When your insurance runs out in 12-18 months will you be over 65? People on Medicare or other government insurance cannot use Remistart.

If you will be on Medicare, all you have to do is select a Part D plan that covers Remicade. Might not be cheap but will be cheaper than self-pay.

If not yet 65 then not sure what direction you should take.
Posted 1/24/2018 8:23 PM (GMT -7)
Why can't you continue your insurance? Are you on COBRA? You should be able to get insurance privately. Maybe call a broker and talk to them about your situation to see what your options are.

My wifes Remicade is about $3000 every 8 weeks so maybe you need to look around.

As others have stated you can also get assistance with payment.
Posted 1/25/2018 9:11 PM (GMT -7)
In Canada or at least in Ontario, Canada if you can get a GI to approve you for humira then at age 65 and beyond all you pay is the dispensing fee of 2 or 5 dollars every 8 weeks. All approved prescription drugs are free at age 65 and beyond. All you pay is the dispensing fee.
Posted 2/10/2018 6:25 PM (GMT -7)
As a couple other people said Remistart (it has a new name but you should still be able to google remistart) is great. I have good insurance and financially stable and they still pay all of my deductible except 5 dollars. I paid up to 400.00 every infusion before I joined. Definitely call and see if they can help now and when your insurance drops. I tried getting off remicade 3 years ago and it was a bad idea as my crohns affects my joints and within 2 months I had to use crutches just to walk and was miserable. I tried humira before getting back on the remicade but I had a bad reaction. Went back on the remicade and I’m fine again. Other than the few months I went off remicade I’ve been taking it for 9 or 10 years now.
Posted 2/11/2018 9:00 PM (GMT -7)
Canada may be cheaper, but you'll probably wait a lot longer to see a doctor and get treatment. It's like a Bizarro America
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