Fuck Capitalism
Feb. 10th, 2021 11:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sasha_featherTrying to get my Enbrel, a saga
UW pharmacy has told me that my Enbrel co-pay is 1700; this is for one month, one drug. It's the main drug I take for RA aka Rheumatoid Disease. To put this in context, my SSDI money is... quite a bit less than that amount per month.
I haven't taken the Enbrel since the 3rd week of January, and my knees are feeling it. It also may be why my asthma is flaring; RA can affect all parts of the body. And the timing lines up with my asthma flare.
I applied for Medication Assistance at UW; I called them today to see what the status was. The person on the phone told me I need to be "very patient" and wait 1 or 2 more weeks. This was enraging; it's not a matter of patience; it's a matter of trying to keep a very serious disease in check. She also told me she wasn't sure she had the pre-auth form; which I've nagged the doctor's office about several times now. Also enraging!
Tonight I called Enbrel, the company, to see if I could get their "co-pay card." They need to verify my insurance and will get back to me in 24 to 48 hours. If i have medicare part D (I am not sure)-- then I won't qualify.
I also called my regular pharmacy to see about an inhaler that had a copay of $279 dollars. The pharmacist called my doctor's office and got the Rx switched to one that is $68. I don't have the inhaler yet but should get it tomorrow, I think.
Today my asthma felt marginally better, but mostly because yesterday was very bad. I think the humidifier is helping. I added Tylenol to my regimen. I'm using Mucinex and nasal sprays, heat and ice. Trying to rest a lot. The sub-zero temps outside are not helping; it makes it nearly impossible to go for walks.
Several people have asked if they could chip in towards the co-pay for the Enbrel. I'm thinking about it. Part of me is like, I don't want them to have this money! But maybe I'm just being stubborn, or prideful. Maybe the Enbrel will help my asthma and I can then deal better with this BS. Money is fake right?? I don't know what to do.
What do you all think?
Playing a lot of Stardew Valley lately and listening to either music or podfic. I tried an audio book but could not concentrate on it at present.
Today was exhausting and I barely did anything, but that's asthma for you.
UW pharmacy has told me that my Enbrel co-pay is 1700; this is for one month, one drug. It's the main drug I take for RA aka Rheumatoid Disease. To put this in context, my SSDI money is... quite a bit less than that amount per month.
I haven't taken the Enbrel since the 3rd week of January, and my knees are feeling it. It also may be why my asthma is flaring; RA can affect all parts of the body. And the timing lines up with my asthma flare.
I applied for Medication Assistance at UW; I called them today to see what the status was. The person on the phone told me I need to be "very patient" and wait 1 or 2 more weeks. This was enraging; it's not a matter of patience; it's a matter of trying to keep a very serious disease in check. She also told me she wasn't sure she had the pre-auth form; which I've nagged the doctor's office about several times now. Also enraging!
Tonight I called Enbrel, the company, to see if I could get their "co-pay card." They need to verify my insurance and will get back to me in 24 to 48 hours. If i have medicare part D (I am not sure)-- then I won't qualify.
I also called my regular pharmacy to see about an inhaler that had a copay of $279 dollars. The pharmacist called my doctor's office and got the Rx switched to one that is $68. I don't have the inhaler yet but should get it tomorrow, I think.
Today my asthma felt marginally better, but mostly because yesterday was very bad. I think the humidifier is helping. I added Tylenol to my regimen. I'm using Mucinex and nasal sprays, heat and ice. Trying to rest a lot. The sub-zero temps outside are not helping; it makes it nearly impossible to go for walks.
Several people have asked if they could chip in towards the co-pay for the Enbrel. I'm thinking about it. Part of me is like, I don't want them to have this money! But maybe I'm just being stubborn, or prideful. Maybe the Enbrel will help my asthma and I can then deal better with this BS. Money is fake right?? I don't know what to do.
What do you all think?
Playing a lot of Stardew Valley lately and listening to either music or podfic. I tried an audio book but could not concentrate on it at present.
Today was exhausting and I barely did anything, but that's asthma for you.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 06:25 am (UTC)As a person who has to fight my insurance over my continued existence on a regular basis, I understand the reflex of the fuck are they getting $1700 from me. It's an unconscionable amount to demand. I think it is worth waiting to see what happens with the insurance verification, but if the co-pay card does not pan out to rendering your etanercept—I feel I should put air quotes around this next word—affordable, then I think you should permit your friends to chip in to get it for you, because it's not like your body is going to be fine, or become more functional, not taking it. The asthma is not a minimal side effect. The more the disease isn't treated, the more time and effort and cost and exhaustion it's going to take to get the situation back under control. And a month of anything flaring is not cool.
*hugs* if useful.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 01:27 pm (UTC)Glad you have a more affordable second inhaler; I've been concerned about that.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 03:49 pm (UTC)V glad to hear about the inhaler — one of the joys of independent pharmacies is pharmacists who go to bat for you.
You may be able to check your Medicare part D status at yr social security account.
If you don’t get your Enbrel this month then you might have use steroids to knock the inflammation back — maybe MyChart your doc about the trade-off (which also alerts doc to cost issue — they may have some extra meds in a freezer for this situation.)
no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 03:54 pm (UTC)That's a good idea re: steroids.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 04:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 04:21 pm (UTC)It’s completely fucked.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-11 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-02-12 04:16 am (UTC)Given that untreated Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause permanent physical damage, if I had any spare money [which sadly I do not] I would HAPPILY give you money towards it
and if you have friends who can help, and want to help, I would strongly encourage you to let them. ^_^