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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Imitrex and Insurance
        
(Message started by: purpleydog on Aug 10^th, 2005, 7:38pm)

Title: Imitrex and Insurance
Post by purpleydog on Aug 10^th, 2005, 7:38pm

Just an FYI. I used to use imitrex nasal spray, and imintrex stat-dose injections. Most of us have a restriction by our insurance company as to how many of each we can get in a month. My insurance limited me to 4 stat-dose injections (2 cartridges) or 6 nasal sprays per month.

I have since switched to imitrex vials, and use them with syringes. I haven't had a problem getting them refilled as often as necessary since I started using them, since February. About a week before the convention in Dallas, I got them refilled (they come in 5 vial packs, and I get 5 vials at a time), and tried to get them refilled again a few days later. They (the insurance) wouldn't let me do it then, so I waited a few days, and it went through, I still got them before I left. The vials have 6 mg of imitrex in them, the same as a stat-dose.

I have gone through 25 vials a month for the last two months, and with the exception of that time before Dallas, I have never had a single problem with my insurance refusing them. I have fought tooth and nail, and appealed the decisions on the nasal spray and stat-dose cartridges when I was declined in the past.

I don't know if this has something to do with the fact that they are NOT prepackaged doses (ready to use), and the vials are not used very much in comparison to the other forms, or what. But I wanted to let you all know, in case you want to try it. I still have a co-pay, but I now have what I need to get by every month. (Being chronic sucks sometimes)

Also, it's way easier to split the shots this way. My neuro knows, and I tell him how many syringes I need to go with them. He has no problem with that.

Title: Re: Imitrex and Insurance
Post by Opus on Aug 10^th, 2005, 8:29pm

Chris,
Thanks for the info. My prescription carrier keeps getting switch and I did notice that they don't seem to care about the vials as they did with the shot refills.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Imitrex and Insurance
Post by maffumatt on Aug 11^th, 2005, 6:22am

I got a letter of need from my doc and talked to the ins doc. I was able to bring my script from 5 vials every 45 days to 15 vials every 30. I don't get all I need but with the O2 I am able to get by. Another thing you can try is to get your doc to prescribe the Trex year around even if you only need it for a month or two. This allows you to stock up for your next cycle. I do wish I had your Ins company. I have StarMark, and to put it simply, they suck.