posted
I would like to try to go IV soon. I have Golden Rule, which is a part of UHC.
Through the website they have a log in page where you can actually search all different types of medicine along with the dosing and administration types and see how much it would cost.
So far, my health insurance has not questioned my monthly blood work, my out of network visits for my LLMD which I get reimbursed for after the deductible is reached, and the antibiotics.
On almost all the common medicine used to treat Lyme, fungus, viral, I have 15.00 copays. There are a few that arent generic and are super expensive but most are generic and come in 1 gm vials.
My LLMD seems to think only a month of IV would be covered, but she doesn't really know how well a lot of my stuff is covered.
IF something does go south, how much do you think it would be each month for the IV.. say Rocephin?
Also, how does IV work? Would I just get a port in my arm? Am I able to administer it myself at home after my doctor shows me?
Thanks everyone.
Posts: 251 | From Baltimore | Registered: Oct 2012
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posted
Interested in the costs/process as well Posts: 169 | From The Poconos | Registered: Jun 2011
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
It would be surprising if your insurance covered more than a month of IV.
People either get a PICC in their arm, or a port in their chest, depending on how long the treatment might last.
Yes, you can administer at home after getting instruction.
Cost will vary a lot, depending on source. Let me know if you want the name of a good company to quote prices for you. Would need to know what med, dosage, etc.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Last time I checked with Infuserve a Rocephin kit was $699 which included all your IV supplies. Clindamycin is much cheaper around $400 if you go with their supplies. and is being used first by some LLMD's now.
You can call Infuserve and ask for a quote. They are the cheapest for the drugs but not always for the supplies.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
If your doctor will allow IV push it could be about $250/month if you pay completely out of pocket or less if your insurance will cover some of the drugs or supplies needed.
Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
Before you start read "Infusion for Lymies" lots of good stuff in a "light" presentation. If you can get saline and mix your own using 2gr vials of IM Rocephin (a 30 day generic will cost you only a Rx co-pay) instead of IV covered under major medical.
I did an IV Rocephin push for 13 months, then IV Doxy for another 3 months, then pulled the PICC last week.
Infuserve doesn't recommend an IV push, but if you go slow over 10 to 15 minutes there should not be any issues.
posted
If you ask Infuserve for a loaner pump, you can get the Clindamycin in a syringe. If your insurance pays, it is less expensive to buy all your supplies from Infuserve.
If your insurance won't pay past the first month, pm me and I can give you some sources to buy supplies in bulk and save some money.
You have to buy 50-100 of each item to get the price break but if you do that, you can set yourself up for the year. Most people stay on IV at least that long.
So you may pay more in the beginning getting set up, but you can claim all that stuff on your taxes at the end of the year. Just have your LLMD put IV supplies needed and list all the stuff you buy on the doctor's letter head or a prescription.
That would mean you would only have to buy your antibiotics from Infuserve and the price would come down to under $200 a month.
I have been on IV over a year and my husband just started a couple of months ago and I am always looking for a cheaper way to get supplies.
My LLMD won't allow me to mix the meds and many won't so I let Infuserve do that.
Infusing for Lymies has some outdated info on it but it still has a lot of good info on picc lines if you go that way. I have a port and so does my husband.
I get to shower, swim and sauna 4 days a week when my huber needle is out and I love that freedom.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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