Biogen financial assistance was frustrating to deal with today!

[bxrmom]

I called Biogen today to qualify for 2018 funding for Tecfidera because when I talked to them last year they told me to call in December and the lady said someone told you wrong, call in January. Called today, the lady asked how much medication I had left which I had it just refilled before the new year so 2.5 months left so she could not help me at this time. So if by the other department did not have funding available to call back when I had 5 days of medication left and she transferred me to the Medicare screening dept which was fine. This lady tells me that because I have Express Scripts I will need to call Express Specialty Pharmacy. How in the world does that makes any sense when this was just supposed to be a screening call for financial assistance!! Someone, somewhere doesn't know what they are doing!!

Anyone else deal with Biogen and Express Scripts?

Jessie

[janetb1968]

OMG! I know the NHS can be hard work but this is medication u need. What a load of mucking about it would drive me mental! 😕 😲😲😲😲

[bxrmom in reply to janetb1968]

I was tempted to call back but then there was too much noise and stuff around because everyone was getting up and moving around. Think I will call back on another day to see what someone else has to say. Just think the second lady didn't know what she was talking about.

Jessie

[rjoneslaw]

@brxmom

I do know express script just took over all of the pharmacies for them. So that could be why they told you that.

Last month their system would call telling me to refill when I had already done so.

[Doubled51 in reply to rjoneslaw]

bxrmom . Express scripts handles my prescriptions. Accredo handles their specialty med plan. Which they are part of Express Scripts I think. Biogen is my Plegridy company and do a copay assistance for it which saves me $40 a month but even though i have United Healthcare Medicare Advantage insurance my drug plan is thru my old employer so it’s not handled by Medicare and what qualified me they said. So far they’ve done good by me.

Donnie

[SometimesCrazy]

Express scripts $%$@

[bxrmom in reply to SometimesCrazy]

SometimesCrazy that is what I have heard but this year they were the only ones covering my meds as the insurance I had last year stopped covering Tecfidera..

[ssdw1958]

I would call them back in the a.m. and ask to speak to a supervisor and Let them know you on so much medicine left and if you’re in the area where your going to have bad weather and you need your medicine there now.

I wouldn’t jag up the phone until you know you have your medicine.

I usually I don’t get nasty 🤢 but don’t mess with my medicine.

[Juleigh21]

bxrmom I have dealt with both in the past. I wish you luck and patience! One never knows what the other is doing and no one takes charge and just gets the job done. I had so much trouble getting the tecfidera, I ended up having a relapse while waiting for it! Shared solutions was much more competent. I’m on Tysabri now and the doctor’s office deals with Biogen. Good luck to you! Maybe your doctor’s office can help!!

[bxrmom]

Thanks everyone for your helpful input and suggestion, I think I will be calling tomorrow when things are calm and I have nothing going on as I have a chiro appointment today and the house is starting to wake up. I'm usually awake before anyone else so that is when I make my calls.

Jessie

[4fishylady]

I am on Tecfidera and have AARP Medicare Advantage. Get my Rx through Walgreen Specialty Pharmacy. Biogen people did tell me last year when I was having some difficulty with getting it all straight, that if I ever got 3 refusals, to let them know and they would send it to me for free. Also, they told me that if I was running out before getting it all straightened out, they would send me some to tide me over. And they did! Please call them, and they will send you some to keep you on the medication, while all the detail get work out.

[bxrmom in reply to 4fishylady]

4fishylady I have about 2.5 months left now and when I checked the price of my medication through my insurance it should not cost too much for my copay so I may not need the assistance after all. I will wait to see as it gets closer and I have to call my Neuro for a refill as they have to get it authorized through the pharmacy in March.

Jessie

[ssdw1958 in reply to 4fishylady]

I have to let you know I used to have payment assistance. I am know longer on Tecfidera. I used to get it for free I would call the company and ask about that.

Good luck ‘

[bxrmom in reply to ssdw1958]

Thanks ssdw1958 , I think once my prescription gets lower I will call since they seemed to have a problem with me having over a 2 months supply on hand left.

Jessie

[ssdw1958 in reply to bxrmom]

That’s a good thing that you have that much on hand.

[4fishylady]

It is comforting to me to know what they said at Biogen, that if I couldn't get it any other way, they would provide it. I guess it is to keep us on the medication that we need. Biogen is a great company, very compassionate!