Hi everyone.
Shirley here....wife of a CH sufferer. Hubby has suffered for 20 years and has received excellent treatment in Australia where we are from and here in the UK where we currently live.
He has just had a job offer which would have us relocating to Washington DC/Nth Virginia.
We are concerned at the cost of his medication when we relocate to the US. He will have cover through Anthem medical provided by his employer.
One question I have is would his medication for CH's be covered or would they consider it a pre existing condition?
Does anyone know of supplementary insurance we could take to cover the medication if that was the case.
Could anyone help point us in the direction of an excellent neuro/headache specialist in the DC/VA area.
So many things to think about when relocating and hubby's health is a big one.
Thanking you in advance for any assistance.
cheers
shirl'

HI ShirleyH and welcome.

Unfortunately I have Anthem ins. coverage, they will cover his medications BUT if he is on Imitrex or what you may know as Imgraine they limit him to how many shots etc he can get per month or in a given time frame. 

Their medical coverage kind of sucks but it's better than nothing especially for a CH'er !   When he does get over here make sure the 1st thing he does is get a new Dr. / Neuro. and ask about alternatives or samples  or you can go to START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE to get help getting his needed medications if the ins. does limit him, which speaking from experience they will.

They will most likely cover his CH preexisting condition as mine was as well, and they do cover it.

I hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!!

Wow!! I've lost track of the number of wives lately logging on to support their hubbies. That's awesome! ;)

Don't know anything about your insurance or doctor questions. :-[ But has your hubby tried oxygen yet? I'm a 32 year episodic sufferer, just turned 50. Using oxygen has all but eliminated my use of imitrex..(I believe what you guys call imigran?) I think with my last 7 month cycle....which I am about to call officially over.... [smiley=shore.gif]......I only had to inject 4 times. Oxygen beat down every other hit. Much cheaper then imitrex, a lot easier on the body and the insurance companies fight very little compared to imitrex!

Thanks again for doing the footwork for him. Our supporters keep us sane!

Joe

As millions of Americans know all too well--our health care system is dysfunctional. I'm afraid that you will likely have to wait until you get here to find answers about alternative coverage--UNLESS his new employer will help you. They should know the system.

Re. good docs. Should be no problem. Major hospitals in the area.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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(Ref. #2: "Yellow Pages" is a telephone directory devoted to listing businesses by name/type. You will likely have to wait until you get here to use it.)

I woulda thunk that you could just call up Anthem and ask them what they'll cover for your husband....?

People here in the US with employer provided coverage do WAY better than the rest of us, many of whom are royally screwed.

Along with a whole lot of other CHers here I swear allegiance to O2 as a first line abortive, but when my last episode was at it's peak and just raging I still injected plenty of imitrex (when the O2 wasn't getting me there). When I say plenty it still wasn't at all as much as the old days, especially since I became aware of this critical tip for injecting imitrex, which your cluster headed hubster must be made aware of: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

A few things to consider: many companies using US Health insurance design their own plans - so one person's Anthem is not necessarily the same as another's.

If you are going through a group plan via a company - then pre-existing conditions are not an issue (or at least should not be).

Ask them to see a copy of the health plan in advance and look to see if O2 is covered. O2 may be covered as (I think) a disposable device, and not a medication.

Ask also to see the formulary either through the insurance plan or the pharmacy benefit management plan (e.g. Caremark, Medco) to see if his meds are covered and at what co-pay.

try:  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE to search for his meds. I couldn't find Oxygen on the site but there is a number that you can call to find out more. Again - the company plan may differ somewhat from their standard plan.

Hi,
      Welcome, I'm in Aus so cant give you any info, just wanted to let you know I understand your situation as a supporter and if you ever need to talk just drop me a line. My fiance has suffered for 25 years with Ch we see a Neurologist in Melb but are interested in finding others that understand ch so if you have any you can recommend please let me know.
                                 Regards Shell :)