Change from Tecfidera Dimethyl Fumarate(Generic) or Vumerity

[JSSimp]

My Insurance Co (UHC) made a decision to stop paying for Tecfidera as of 1/5 and will be willing to pay for Generic Tecfidera(Dimethyl Fumarate) my doctor advised me on today possible Vumerity, but further discussion will take place on 1/18. Right now I’m so confused on what decision to make with approaching one or the other. I have been taking Tecfidera for 4mths and feel I’m dealing with things a little better than a couple of mths ago. Just needing to get some insights on ppl perspectives of these meds that have changed. I also asked my doctor to appeal the process, but it’s a 50/50 change in approval. Diagnosed with Ms in March 2020 so all the changes can be complicated and frustrating. Thanks in advance.

[Turtlepie]

I wish you the best. I can't give you any insight on these meds. I will be praying for a good outcome

[JSSimp in reply to Turtlepie]

Thank you for your prayers!

[jimeka]

I will never understand why your insurance companies have so much power, it should be your doctor or neurologist who knows what is best for you. Praying that you get sorted soon, blessings Jimeka 😊

[Frances_B in reply to jimeka]

The problem is that the USA health system has been broken for years and while the NHS has its own massive struggles meeting demand (even pre-COVID) at least it is there as a safety net for UK citizens. From what I understand, health care in the USA is extremely market driven and tied so much to people's employment. Too little emphasis is placed on the patient and proper care planning, and too much on market driven profit motives. There seems to be an endless revolving door of insurance companies dictating what treatments and drugs patients can have access to.

I so glad I don't live in the USA as even though it has some of the best health care in the world if you can afford to pay for it, other people die for lack of essential basic medications. For example, even the cost of diabetic essentials such as insulin can be out of reach for people in low socio-economic groups.

"The most commonly used forms of analog insulin cost 10 times more in the United States than in any other developed country"

mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

Sometimes things just smell off. Very very off...............

[JSSimp in reply to Frances_B]

Thanks!

[JSSimp in reply to jimeka]

Exactly. Thanks so much Jimeka!

[twooldcrows]

wow can't believe they would do that but again it is insurance and if they can get cheaper ...to me it is nice to change peoples meds...hope this new medicine good that the doctor wants you to try for they usually know what is better at the time....love and happiness ...enjoy the day ...

[JSSimp]

It will all work out. Thank you so much!

[stlmsgroups]

I am ony second week of the generic. I was on Tecfidera four years. Still too soon to see any changes.

[JSSimp in reply to stlmsgroups]

Ok. Pls let me know how things goes in the wks to come. Thank you!

[IFwczs]

Do you have RRMS?

[JSSimp]

Yes

[melack01]

I get my drugs from the VA (Veteran's Administration). I just got started with a generic dimethyl fumarate. I think the drug company is Mylan. I've only been taking it about 2 weeks now but I have had no problems with it. So far though I rarely have flushing issues which with Tecfidera I had every day.

[JSSimp in reply to melack01]

Ok. I will see my doctor on Monday and will have to make a decision. Thank you so much!

[melack01 in reply to JSSimp]

I guess I spoke too soon. The last few days have been really bad for flushing. No other side effects though.

[JSSimp]

Praying the flushing will resolve. Thanks!