posted
Hi, my LLMD told me today that he wants me to start IV Rocephin. I do not have insurance. I have paid for everything so far out of pocket. He said the medication itself is a few hundred dollars a month, which is not too bad. However, the picc line will be about$ 2000 to have placed.
Does anyone have any tips on how I can get this cheaper? I am going to apply for Medicare, but I doubt it will be covered, as my doctor is out of state.
I am pretty intimidated by the whole process. I trust my doctor. And I am totally disabled/unable to work right now. I can barely keep up with my daily tasks of being a stay at home mom. I want my life back, and am willing to do anything. But the whole picc line thing kind of scares me. Any suggestions?
Posts: 427 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Oct 2010
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
See if you can get a local dr, a sympathetic PCP perhaps, to coordinate with your LLMD and rx the PICC line placement in state.
But first apply for Medicaid ASAP!! I have no idea how long that takes, but you will need it. Get help, if need be, on how to apply for it quickly and successfully. Maybe there is a patient advocate at a city or county hospital that could help.
Ask you local Lyme Support Group for help, too, either online or in-person.
Posts: 3790 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Medicare covered my PICC - you need to apply for it! I was afraid of PICC - I have had mine now for 9 months and it has been no problem
Posts: 128 | From MICHIGAN | Registered: May 2008
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I dont know what your family income is but you could go to the hospital and see if you qualify for charity care to help cover picc linne being placed.
I am not sure how much the iv costs but your dr forgot to mention all the tubing, saline, heperain alcholswabs the things you need to incfuse.
AND when you are on iv you have to get your blood checked regularly so thats also blood tests every 2 weeks.
and you will need someone to change the bandage and clean the site once a week.
so there are lots of other expensiesbesides meds.
In case your llmd did not tell you i wanted to let you know that rocephin can cause gallbladder issues. I lost my gallbladder to it. I know there is a med some people take now to try to protect there gallbladder for the life of me i can never remember the name but others here do if you ask.
if you do have to pay for it all out of pocket. I had found a company called infuserve america has better prices on things than most.
do you have any idea how long your dr is planning on keeping you on the rocephin?
posted
These are all good points. Thank you for sharing.
Azure wish... he mentioned that I will have to take an additional medication for my gall bladder. I also need to get an ultrasound of my gall bladder before I can start taking the rocephin. I have no idea how long I will be on it. I don't even ask anymore.
With all the costs, and bloodwork every 2 weeks, I certainly need assistance. I will go apply for Medicaid today, and hope for the best. Thanks again
Posts: 427 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Oct 2010
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
See if you can get some assistance with applying for Medicaid. By that I mean, if there is a government or hospital based social worker/patient advocate, etc. Just so you fill out the application in the best way possible.
I don't know what the application is like, and maybe this isn't necessary. It's just that you really need it, so you want to say the right things to get it!
Posts: 3790 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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