Ocrevus & insurance - patience required.

[anaishunter]

So my neuro finally approved my second round of Ocrevus (the 1st full one) in early April. My blood tests are now acceptable to allow treatment. This is now 10+ months after the first 2 1/2 doses.

Because I started a new job, we had to get insurance approval again. Finally got a call from the doctor's office saying that United Healthcare will approve it if done outside a hospital infusion center. (this took 4 weeks compared to the 5 days it took with Blue Shield of California). So be patient.

Now I have to wait for the paperwork to be in place before scheduling.

I am so lucky to be doing great. Crossing my fingers that it lasts until I get to the infusion.

[jimeka]

Glad that you are doing so well, but sorry it’s taken so long. Let us know when you do go and how it goes, Blessings Jimeka 👍

[kdali]

Glad you’re getting somewhere!!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Glad to see that everything is on track. Let us know how your infusion goes.

[JTZES]

United Health Care has disallowed hospital based infusions. They will approve a non hospital based infusion center.

Your best option is a rheumatology infusion site. That is what I had to do for my last dose.

What I noticed as the difference was they gave me oral tylenol and benadryl versus infusion benadryl. They gave me a 30 minute dose of steroids. Hospital based infusions add the steroid to the Ocrevus which is then considered a compound medication which greatly increases the cost.

[rjoneslaw]

good to know

[ahrogers]

I was delayed on a dose a year ago when I moved to another state and had to wait first for my insurance with my new job to kick in and then get in with a PCP to be referred to a neuro. It took 3 months to get in to the neuro but was scheduled for infusion a month later. I have always gotten it at the neuro office, originally on a clinical trial. I was delayed a little over 3 months and was fine.

I hope you do well too!