Approved for Ocrevus

[Raingrrl]

Aetna finally approved Ocrevus after an appeal. Their reasons for denying it in the first place were stupid but that's kind of how it goes. But...because it took so long, I had to have another dose of Tysabri starting the 12 week counter all over again. I'm scheduled to get the first half dose Dec. 8th.

I first have to make sure I have the financial support in place since I'm not anywhere close to be able to pay for it on my own. Anyone have any difficulties getting financial support from Genentech??

[jimeka]

Hope you are successful Raingrrl . If it all happens you could look at it as a nice Christmas present. Keep us posted, blessings Jimeka 🦋 🌈

[dianekjs]

My insurance (Blue Cross) approved within 24 hours and covered 100%. There is an Ocrevus Facebook group with over 4,000 members, and judging by comments there it seems most everyone who requests help from Genentech gets it. Most end up paying very little, if anything. If you haven’t met your deductible and out of pocket, insurance may not cover as much (depends on individual policy), but people are having success getting Genentech to pay the balance. Best of luck, and let us know how things go.

[Raingrrl in reply to dianekjs]

Thanks dianekjs

[erash]

Raingrrl glad u got the ok to go ahead with Ocrevus. I hadn't read anyone else's report of $ difficulty with this. Is genetech offering any help?

[Raingrrl in reply to erash]

Hi @erash... I haven't talked to them yet. I thought they might contact me because Biogen had reached out to me when I first started Tysabri. So...I'm just going to call them.

[Iona60]

Raingrrl So glad that you got the Aetna approval! If only these insurance companies would understand that the stress they put us under worsens our disease and costs them more money!

[Raingrrl in reply to Iona60]

No kidding! I think they do it for sport.... Cynical of me isn't it?!?

[Iona60 in reply to Raingrrl]

Raingrrl I think that the social security disability delays are on purpose so that people drop off the list by death.

[Yooper]

Hope you get everything approved. If Genetech doesn't fully cover try The Assistance Fund out of Orlando FL. Praying it all works out.

[Raingrrl in reply to Yooper]

Thanks @Yooper. Hadn't heard of the Assistance Fund. I haven't had too much trouble getting assitance from Biogen for Tysabri and my income is even less now. Just don't have any experience with Genentech.

[erash in reply to Yooper]

Yooper Raingrrl

Are u in the Orlando area so we can say hello possibly in person or is this just the location of a national fund?

[Yooper in reply to erash]

My wife and I are snowbirds. We spend the winter in Florida. We are between Tampa and Orlando off the I-4 corridor. I started using the a fund while living in Wisconsin and doing Copaxone.

[erash in reply to Yooper]

Yooper

We are in winter park, just north of Orlando

Since I consider Disney out of town (hate driving) if you are ever in my area say hi 😊

[WAshingtongirl]

So happy to hear this, Raingrrl . I hope you're able to figure out the funding part of the dilemma, and all goes as planned. 💕

[bxrmom]

Raingrrl I hope that the company will help you with the cost of the medication. I know a lot of the different drug companies have assistance programs with cost of the meds. Please keep us updated when you can.

Jessie

[RobertCalifornia]

I had no difficulty with Genentech getting copay assistance. I only had to cover my remaining medical insurance deductible. Genetech has been the most efficient and consumer friendly group I have dealt with in years. I went thru Genetech Access Solutions. Website is Genentech-access.com. The website is pretty self explanatory and there is a phone number to call for help. The first time I tried to register I used my iPad. The website did not work with Apple products. This was early in April as my neurologist prescribed it for me right away. She was the first in California todo sn Ocrevus infusion (according to a Genentech rep I met at an MS walk).

[Raingrrl in reply to RobertCalifornia]

Thanks for the info RobertCalifornia . This is helpful.

[kdali]

Hooray!! 🎉 I'm so happy for you!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Raingrrl Found this on MSAA website hope it helps get you started!😊

Phone: (844) OCREVUS (844-627-3887)

Website: Genentech-Access.com

J 🌠👻

[Raingrrl in reply to Jesmcd2]

Thanks Jesmcd2 !

[Wnmaddox123 in reply to Raingrrl]

Thanks

[Wnmaddox123]

How many other medicines had you been on. I’ve been on two others and they say they want me to try and fail 3

[Raingrrl in reply to Wnmaddox123]

Hi Wnmaddox123 ...I was on Copaxone first for about 13 years When it stopped working, I was switched to Tysabri. Stayed on Tysabri for 5 years despite being JCV+. I’ve now been on Ocrevus for 2 years. My insurance at the time approved it when my neuro appealed the original denial. There are some drugs I cannot take because of the PML risk or other disqualifying issues. There weren’t as many options even 2 years ago.

[Wnmaddox123 in reply to Raingrrl]

Oh you give me so much hope . I’m positive they will deny it but maybe we will win the appeal. Occrevus says that if my doctor is appealing the denial I can get the medicine free- but not sure what I’ll do to pay for the costs of the infusion services/ nurses. How you feeling on occrevus?