doc. appt.

May 26, 2006

hello group just wanted to give an up date on my doc. appt. didnt go as

i would of hoped. i thought i would be starting on enbrel, but first i

have to have a tb test, which i have to go in next tues. for and then

go back two days after that to have him read that. so, that means two

days next wk i have to pay for two appts. after paying for one this

wk. " makes me wonder if they think we are made of money " , then also

found out my insureance isnt going to be much help. it cost 300 a month

just to have it, and it will only take off 200 for the med. dont add

up.so instead of paying 1500 a month of med,i will pay 1300 for it.

what a savings, makes me mad. i think i am going to try to get

disabiliy at least that way i could medicad and medicare, that whould

help with some of the cost. thatnks for letting me vent, brenda

May 26, 2006

Hi , Sorry to hear that your doc appt. didn't go as hoped....I too had to

have a TB test when my rheumy was thinking of putting me on Enbrel. He chose not

to because I was having sinus problems. I had to pay a small co-pay for the

test, but the reading was at no charge....Ask them not to charge you for the

reading....I am on Medi-Part D and have assigned my coverage over to an

HMO....Enbrel just got put on their formulary, which I believe Medicare pays for

it....However, it requires a pre-authorization that your doc must

submit....Perhaps you could ask your doc to apply for financial help from the

drug co...Montel is always mentioning financial assistance for those of us who

need it for our meds...He even post a phone number....I'm thinking that he may

have a web site that has more info or at least the phone number....You mentioned

that you may apply for disability, if you decide to apply please do it ASAP as

it takes them forever.....I know it took a few mths for

me...and that was 8 yrs ago..I hear now they are more overwhelmed than

ever..Because we baby boomers are retiring in vast numbers..and that is most of

their work load...I have a close friend who has applied on behalf of her brother

who had a stroke and is completely disabled....It has been over 4 mths and she

still has not heard anything about permanent disability...Because he has no

income from any source she was able to get a small amount of SSI until they make

their decision...My neighbor who has Fibro and Lupus and heart problems has

applied and it is going on 6 mths. She called the other day and was told it was

in the works...She still hasn't seen the doc that they will send her to for

evaluation...Once she sees that doc it will take several more weeks perhaps mths

for their decision.....More than likely you will be denied the first time and

must appeal.. I hear that they deny most everyone the first time...I was denied

the first time, but was approved rather

quickly upon my appeal.. Funny thing is they sent to the same doc as they did

the first time...Go figure...All I know is that I am so grateful that I was

approved and able to get disability. I know there is no way that I could work.

My RA has never been in control and I have I joint pain and swelling

everyday...Just depends what joints and how painful...I have been in a huge

flare-up recently and have never experienced every joint hurting so badly and

being so swollen all at once....and fatigue that comes with it....Sometimes it

is just unbearable....Take care and I hope that you can get some help with the

Enbrel....Hugs