IVIG cost
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AnonymousMarch 27, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I was looking at my Explanation of Benefits & realized that Emily’s IVIG has more than doubled. I called the home care company to make sure they were billing for the correct amount & they say there was a price increase last year.
Emily gets 20 grams of Gammaguard liquid & is now being charged a little over $4000 per 20 gram infusion. That does not include any nursing fees.
When she first started getting infusions the IVIG was a little over $2000 (like $2000 and some change).
How much do other people pay for what brand & what amount?
Thanks.
Kelly -
AnonymousMarch 27, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I had 5 days/bags of 40g and insurance was billed $28,000 (my co-pay $5,300). Liquid gold. While incredibly costly, at least I can walk again, use stairs and get up from the toilet!
Let’s all hope that stem cell research can reduce the cost of this amazing substance.
Paul
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AnonymousMarch 31, 2009 at 2:14 am
In 2004 Medicare was paying $ 2,200 for 50 grams.
My Blue Cross pays $ 10,000 for 50 grams of Gammagard S/D.
The regional IVIG supplier includes payment for nurses/all medical supplies to my house.
I can now walk and the pain is tolerate. Before the pain knew no limits. -
Julie,
Is it possible you mean $100/gram. Man if it is $1000 a gram it better come with lunch, dinner and one hot stripper (male) nurse that cleans the house too!! I would even make him clean the frog tank too!!!!! BTW, how are the frogs?
Dawn -
AnonymousApril 2, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Yes, obviously I’m horrible at math and sadly that’s actually the second time I’ve done that with the cost of IVIg. Sigh. I did actually pass Calculus but I have no idea where those brain cells went…
Frogs are well – still singing and making babies. I’ve got a handful of tadpoles the size of pinheads that have somehow managed to survive several weeks now. It’s kinda cool – they have eyes now and thats all you can see floating on the water – two black eyes. (do you hear the music from the Twilight Zone?….) ๐ I also got a promise from the pet store to take them if they get to the 4-legged stage. Whew!
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AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Wow, I see huge variations.
What is charged and what is payed are two different things.Every month my EOB pays out $13300 for 170 grams. that $78 a gram.
My HC company buy’s in bulk and ships to me. 160K per year at that dose.
It won’t take long to hit the cap.Remember the TV show the $6million dollar man. Well, I am sure some will outdo and probably have already outdone that til its over.
Supplies are on another EOB.
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AnonymousApril 27, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Three years ago Medicare started denying IVIG to patients and at it again. I must answer long questionnaire on how IVIG helps. Insurance company wants to know if the drug is working/worth the cost.
I’ve gotten 6 IVIG infusions monthly for 4 years.
One infusion of 50 grams is $ 10,000.00 X 6 equals $ 60,000.00.
My Blue Cross pays for my drug through the Pharmacy Coverage I have and that has no lifetime caps. Thank goodness””
I changed my Blue Cross medical over to a no-limit policy. Higher co-pays but in the end I’m covered. It seems strange to think $ 2-5 million wouldn’t be enough for my health concerns. In this day it may not.
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