My Sticker Shock From Ocrevus MS Clinic Bill
I was talking on the phone with a friend who also happens to have MS. I warned her the extra noise was from me opening the stack of mail I’d been avoiding for a couple of weeks. I have my bills set up for auto-pay, so I was in no rush to open this mail.
The noise I hadn’t warned her about, though, was the stream of expletives I let out when I opened the billing statement from my MS clinic. It was the bill for my most recent Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) infusion, and it made my heart skip a beat or two. Sticker shock doesn’t even describe what I felt as I looked at the amount: $142,546.40. That is my entire bill for this twice-yearly treatment. It’s not just the cost of the drug, but also the use of the clinic services and all of their equipment and personnel. But still, that is a whole lot of money.
I caught my breath and apologized to my friend for the earful of profanity while she tried to help me fathom that figure.
A few minutes later, we went back to chatting about other things, and I returned to opening envelopes and found my insurer’s explanation of benefits. I opened it and shared the additional news with my friend that the insurer will accept charges of $70,703.02 and pay a large sum of the remainder. Phew, I was feeling a bit better, but a balance of $2,126.36 still faces me. This is a more manageable number, but still, more than I had ever seen in one copay.
After I had hung up the phone, I took the next steps. The Ocrevus patient assistance program had sent my enrollment materials a few months ago, and I hoped they would be of help. When I had read the materials initially, I was confused as to what I was supposed to do and had filed the paperwork away until it was needed. Now, facing these bills with all those digits, I decided that it was the time to pull it out and call.
With my bill, my insurance statement, and my Ocrevus card in hand, I called the number, and I connected with a support specialist. She seemed less than invested in my concern, and it was a very quick call. I asked her for a fax number to send in my paperwork and what the process would be next. She told me I would hear back within two working days, and if it is determined I’m eligible, they will load the amount of money I owe onto the Ocrevus card they had mailed to me, and I can use it like a debit card to pay my balance with the MS clinic. Five days later, I’m still waiting to hear from them.
If it all works as explained to me, I will owe zero dollars.
Anyone who doesn’t live in the United States and is forced to engage with our drug/insurance/patient costs is by now totally confused. For those of you who know our way of life, just keep in mind that here in the United States, we never pay the full retail price for anything, including healthcare.
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William Woodrow kirscht
I take ocrevus too. The copay assistance covered all but $5. That said the company never got back to me about money being loaded, just had to look every day. They didn't let me know I sent the wrong paper work the first time. So keep checking and call them if it take more than a couple weeks.
Bob D
I appreciate the post. I have been mulling over a switch to Ocrevus and every bit of information is helpful. I didn't read whether you are on Medicare or employed still with a commercial insurance plan as many of the co-pay assistance programs I tap into are based on commercial insurance. I am looking at a potential gap in coverage as Medicare is two years from date of disability, and COBRA benefits are 18 months for those who can afford the payment.
DeAnna Anderson
Holy Crap! I thought $5000 a month for my 4 Avonex injections was high. Blessed with a $20 copay. This is incredible! How are people supposed to pay these exorbitant fees?
Christine
I go again in August. Am I worth it,,,,,ch
Michelle
Hi Laura,
I had the very same reaction when I got my bill. I ended up paying just a couple of hundred dollars, but was glad and appreciative for the adjustment. I did have to call back a second time to get the money loaded on to card, but they were very helpful with everything.
Good luck.