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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2004 >> just grumbling
        
(Message started by: bobbiA on Jan 25^th, 2004, 10:18pm)

Title: just grumbling
Post by bobbiA on Jan 25^th, 2004, 10:18pm

im down to my last imitrex...and the pharmacist said that my tri care only provides for a 90 day supply..so 9 pills in 90 days? LORD all mighty!
i just transferred to tri care and am having a hell of a time getting into see a doc that will prescribe a new Rx...my old doc wont see me because he only takes seniors that are on tri care...
what the hell exactly am i supposed to do tomorrow or the next day when the beast attacks?
not only am i mad...im scared as hell! does that mean until i get in to see the doc on THEIR time i get to suffer full blown full length attacks?
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr some days i hate life! andi always hate insurance and crap!

Title: Re: just grumbling
Post by tiredofclusters on Jan 25^th, 2004, 10:32pm

bobbiA,

Sorry to hear that, my insurance doesn't cover IMITREX injections so i pay $150.00 for two shots.
Good luck,
Neal

Title: Re: just grumbling
Post by brad267 on Jan 25^th, 2004, 10:41pm

bobbi,

pills are too slow for CH, in my opinion. Go to injections, and get pediatric needles.

Start working on a letter of medical necessity to override that STUPID 9/month limit that the insurance company places on you... Basically, you're GP, or Neuro will have to sign it, but you should write it for them, and have it ready to go.... Something to this effect...

To Whom it May Concern,
So-and-so is under my care for Cluster Headaches. It is a medical necessity that so-and-so receive the amount of Imitrex that I prescribe him/her, regardless of recommended insurance limits.

I'd also add: Because the doses will vary, STATDOSE Pens are unacceptable, and so-and-so will require Imitrex in vial form (6mg/0.6ml). I want so-and-so to receive NDC 0173-0449-02 or a generic equivalent.

And, of course, call your prescription drug company, and ask THEM how the doctor should write it, to maximize your benefits using just 1 co-pay. (One month, 3 month, 75 days?? they all have their own...)

Tell your Dr to write the Imitrex prescription as super-clear as possible, because it is very expensive, and they will always blame the Dr's handwriting/instructions, as they stall and not fill it.

Hope this helps,
Brad

p.s. that NDC # I gave you is for a box of 5. The vials only come in boxes of 5... So have your Dr round up to an increment of 5.

Title: was that yer stomache?
Post by rumplestiltskin on Jan 26^th, 2004, 12:08am

I did the Dr. letter to the insurance co. and the pharmacy folks and went from 9 Zomigs/month for $25 to 60 Zomigs/month for $25...it worked for me.

Walk in the sunshine
den

Title: Re: just grumbling
Post by RichardN on Jan 26^th, 2004, 9:47am

Seeee........I told you these guys are great ;)

DON'T FORGET THE SCRIPT FOR OXYGEN.........I'll keep bugging you til' you try it. Hey, if it doesn't work you can use the B tank (about a foot long) to rap on your head instead of taking up wall space ;;D (Ikeep B & E tanks (E tank has the little dolly) .

Title: Re: just grumbling
Post by Patrick_A on Jan 26^th, 2004, 9:59am

My Insurance originally did me the same way. Only would give me 9 pills per month and 6 Nasal sprays per month. I went to my Plan administrator at work and told them this just wasnt right. We investigated it and found out that it wasnt the Plans fault but in how the Neuro was writing the script. Here is what the Insurance administrator wrote to me. This worked for me and now i have an abundance of Imitrex at my disposal......

Today, Merck Medico stated if the perscription is written correctly- you should have no difficulty getting what you need.
Also, it would be much cheaper to do it mail order for 3 month supply.
For 1 month order to get you through:
Pills:
Imatrex, 100mg 2 p.o. every day for 30 days. 60 tablets.
(if you get over 21 days supply you will have to pay 2 co-pays. So, if you can get by with 21 day order for 42 tablets.you would only have to pay $16.00)

Spray:
Imatrex 20mg spray. 2 sprays every day for 30 days. 60 doses or 63 doses since in a 9 dose supply.

3 month Supply:
Pills: Imatrex, 100mg 2 p.o. every day for 90 days: 180 tablets (2 every day)
Spray: Imatrex 20mg spray. 2 sprays every day for 90 days: 189 doses (21 packs)

Sorry, I dont like injections, so your on ur own there.
I hope this helps you, It did me!

Patrick :)

Title: Re: just grumbling
Post by bobbiA on Jan 26^th, 2004, 9:30pm

im just gonna cry now...thank you guys so much...for all the info and help..its nice to know its here after a day from hell with NO help in this full time persuit...
richard..id LOVE to get oxygen...WHEN i can see a damned doc...grrrrrrr its been a day trying to get into one....
patrick...thank you injections dont bother me a bit as i used to take B12 for them when i was younger

Title: Re: just grumbling
Post by t_h_b on Jan 26^th, 2004, 10:14pm

If you get the injections, you can get 2 1/2 or three shots per vial, so avoid the stat dose pen. You will have to fight a little to get the prescription filled properly and your MD may have to write a letter of medical necessity with your history to get a sufficient quantity. You might also try getting shots AND nasal spray as that might slip by. There is info at about.com in the headache board about getting sufficient triptans if you don't mind all the migraine BS.

My insurance company's pharmacy took a prescription for 10 vials to mean 10 vials per three months instead of each month instead of calling to clarify what the doctor meant. Next time I saw him, I dictated the prescription!

"Imitrex, 6mg vials, qty. 10 vials per month, 30 per three months."

Good luck.