Is Remicade covered in Ontario

[blackli]

Happy New Year all!
My GI suggested yesterday that we may want to try Remicade soon, after results from Colonoscopy and Endoscopy this coming Monday. We have tried many meds over the years, and so many have caused pancreatitis, I've had it 8 times, mostly from Crohns meds. She thinks biologics are the next step, as Methotrexate is causing my liver enzymes to be elevated now, and I'm still flaring.

Because my husband and I are self-employed, we have no additional private health insurance, so we pay 100% for all prescriptions. Can anyone tell me if the treatment in Ontario is covered fully by OHIP, as it is administered in hospital? If not, I presume we will look for something else, as I am not in a position to pay the astronomical costs of the drug.

Any input is appreciated as I won't be able to get answer from my GI til Monday when I see her again.

Thanks all!

 

[Trysha]

Remicade can be provided free through the Trillium organisation and is a government process in Ontario.
There is a coordinator for your area who can be accessed by your GI specialist., and who would know all the ins and outs of the system.
There are also compassionate programmes through the makers of Remicade---Janssen.
It is likely that your GI specialist will know of these programmes.
You could try looking at the Ontario Drug Benefit program for information, just google Ontario Drug Benefit and their website will come up.
Some requirements for me were previous steroid treatment and previous methotrexate treatment, before resorting to Remicade,
My GI took care of the whole thing.
Hope this is helpful
Hugs
Trysha

 

[blackli]

Thanks so much Trysha - I'll check with my GI when I see her on Monday. Been through both Prednisone and Methotrexate several times as well. I appreciate your info!

 

[lgpcarter]

I used Trillium when in between benefits after graduating from university and it was quite the process. Hopefully they had improved things since then! Not only do you need to enroll in Trillium, but you need special approval to get Remicade and then have to pay a deductible based on your annual income.

As Trysha said, your GI should be familiar with the process and will have to complete some of the paperwork. Good luck! I hope it works for you - did wonders for me for many years.