Remicade temporary alternatives without insurance

[matthewg144]

I've had Crohn's since I was 7 years old and 24 years later I am happy to report everything seems mostly under control due to a colostomy in 2006 (needs a revision now) and Remicade. I am employed, full time, and have good employee provided insurance which so far has paid %100 on my treatments since I switched to it last year. This of course can get pricey with other items such as colostomy supplies but I work with it. Unfortunately with the downfall of the economy I have always been concerned with the "what if's" one being what if there is no job in a month or 6 months out? I am sure there are some who have experienced this and if so I would like to know how those cope. Have any Remicade users had to find an alternative medication to turn to? In the past only the awful prednisone has worked for me. I hear about cobra insurance and the ACA which I am not a fan of (calculated I would go broke quickly even with it being "affordable") etc. but are there any other options I am missing?

 

[lenny]

My husband is retiring in a few years and we will then have to purchase health insurance for our 18 year old son, who is just about to begin Remicade. We see it as a likely life long expense because he may work sporadically. How does Obamacare effect insurance coverage while unemployed, I wonder.

 

[2thFairy]

There are programs available to help with paying for Remicade, some for those with no insurance and some with Medicare/Medicaid.

http://www.remistart.com/
https://www.janssenaccessone.com/pages/remicade/patientassist/intro.jsp

 

[matthewg144]

I have yet to hear anything good about Obamacare, premiums can be high depending on your income and out of pocket maximums can be 6k or more a year, this is of course if your have retirement income etc. If your income is very very low it might be worth it.

Remistart is a great program and I have used it in the past but since I am covered %100 right now I haven't had to use it so far this year but I suppose with little or no insurance this could be a lifesaver, my biggest costs would probably then be ostomy supplies. I am not aware of any program that helps with such things but if there is something please share.

 

[2thFairy]

Your insurance doesn't cover ostomy supplies?

 

[matthewg144]

Yes, my insurance does pay for them now. I am just thinking about the future and if I do not have insurance. A typical supply order can be close to $300 a month plus the cost of Remicade every 6 weeks without coverage could be devastating. Remistart could offset those cost's by a ton, but I would still be looking at several thousand in expenses every year.

 

[2thFairy]

We have a thread in the Stoma Subforum of companies that help ostomates with no insurance get supplies that have been donated by those who no longer need them. The original post in the Stoma Subforum is in here:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=42852
and the website of the supply group is this:
https://www.ostogroup.org/