Guest guest Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 This last couple of weeks have been one of trying to get everything taken care of so that I can start Remicade infusions. This has meant contacting my PCP, my insurance co, calling the local infusion centers to see if they'll administer the Remcade, calling Remicade to see if they have any patient assistance programs for financial assistance and calling addl numbers for their Reimbursement centers, Clinical Trials Dept, Nurse Advisory Dept, and more. Needless to say, I was totally woop-assed when I got thru. I did get a call back from Centocor today, they are the sub-corp. that makes Remicade (Parent Corp is J & J). For those of us on the west coast, there is a clinical trial that will start in Jan. 2004. What this would mean- if we qualify, is that Centocor would supply the Remicade without cost. It will also mean that we'd be going to L.A. several times over for follow-up. For me, it would mean a 11 hour drive -one way- or a 3 hr flight. (Pray for air-fares to stay low.) I know that ie Bear is in L.A., we have someone in San Diego, and Stinson's near San . Guys, this is relatively close by all things considered. So, if you're fence sitting on talking to your MD's about Remicade, this might be a good time to bring it up. ie, I hope you're already hooked up with Om Sharma, MD. He's the sarc guru in LA- second to Dr. Baughman back east. Remicade's Medical Info line is 1-. The Patient Asst. Line is 1-. The Patient Assistance Line is for patients on Remicade that either have no insurance or their insurance won't cover it, and that meet certain financial criteria. They are sending out both the pt asst forms and the info on the Trials. Also, if your MD's office calls, they do have a sheet that they will fax to an MD's office on Remicade & sarcoidosis treatment protocol. This can then be sent to the insurance company as proof that there is a history (short) of Remicade being used for Sarc. Guys, my info is still in alot of flux, I don't have the forms yet, and am sharing what info I have gotten so far. This is my understanding of what is coming up. I hope that it will help someone that needs treatment, but can't get it because of cost. Love to all, Tracie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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