I just got my Igenex results back and B. microti and B. duncani. Everything came out negative. The doctor believes Babesia is really crucial for me and wants me to start on Mepron.
So she gave me rx for Mepron and told me that if the insurance company asks for prior auth to then hand over an rx for malaron. I did and the insurance wants prior auth on both!
The lowest price that LLMD knows of for mepron is $1,200 a month. The Costco price for malarone is $408 for #60.
So dr says we do further testing and if it comes out positive that the insurance will pay for it.
The Igenex tests are Fish and PCR.
Or I could just treat the Lyme until we can better afford those Igenex tests.
I chose to do the Igenex test but still have time to change my mind. Any thoughts on that?
How in the world are you all affording the Mepron. We are not low income so I don't think we would meet the patient assistance programs.
My husband is going to flip!
Posted by seaweed brain (Member # 29547) on :
It's me again. I forgot to ask how many months is a person with Babesia usually on mepron?
Thanks!
Posted by nspiker (Member # 22824) on :
I've been on Mepron straight, no stopping, for over a year (2 tsp twice a day).
I don't understand why your insurance won't cover Mepron. I don't think anything I've done was coded for babesia or lyme, and still mepron was covered.
I am also in So Cal. What drug insurance do you have? If you need a positive babesia test, then by all means pursue further testing.
Mepron is ridiculous without coverage.
Posted by apljack (Member # 14233) on :
Mepron--at least 4 months. Takes red blood cells 90 days to regenerate. At least that's what my doctor told me.
I am on second month of zith, babs and khang artmesisin. Other than today, I have been feeling great, better than a long time.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
They may approve it. I got Malarone approved, no problem, no questions asked. It's a Babesia diagnosis, not a Lyme diagnosis, so red flags don't go up.
For me, Mepron didn't need prior approval.
Now, on the other hand, I couldn't get the zith approved, go figure. I used Biaxin.
Posted by seaweed brain (Member # 29547) on :
Thanks everyone for your help. My insurance is an individual policy since my husband is self-employed. Maybe others plans are better if it is through an employer?
I will check out the sites. Thanks again
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
Seaweed,
GlaxoSmithKline has a patient assistance program for those of us who cannot afford these extreme prices.
If you can get accepted into the program, you'll pay $10 for a bottle of Mepron.
Do a Google search for "Glaxo Patient Assistance Program"
In most cases, it takes a 5 minute phone call from your doctor's office to enroll over the phone, and get a 30-day supply the same day.
Good Luck!
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
Seaweed brain:
Wallgreen has mepron for 783 / month.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
That is a great price at Wallgreen. I paid 1052 from Cosco for three weeks worth. Then I ordered it from canadadrugs.com for 675 including shipping. But if it freezes it is ruined and it has to be shipped by regular mail. That worried me a bit.
I sure is expensive. This whole disease is expensive.
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)