kkennedy4395
05-30-2004, 01:45 AM
My father has been a severe PA sufferer since his 30s. He's turning 68 on Monday. (Hard to believe he's that old, for how active he's been, despite his condition.) He's been greatly encouraged by the new breakthrough drugs, but is frustrated that Medicare will only cover Remicade but not Enbrel.
Prior to his insurance running out after his retirement last year, he was getting great results from the Enbrel. (He's an active tennis player, and he felt like a new man!) But since it's not covered by Medicare, he switched to Remicade. Last month, his treatment did little to improve his symptoms; he spent days on the couch, and had late-day fevers pretty much daily (no fun for a recently retired father of 5 grown kids and grandfather of 10!). This month, the Remicade brought relief, but only for 3 weeks (he'll unfortunately suffer through his symptoms on his birthday).
Apparently Remicade costs more than Enbrel, but isn't covered by Medicare. Does anyone know anything about this, and how he and/or I might get involved to help advocate that it be covered?
Thanks in advance for any advice/tips.
Prior to his insurance running out after his retirement last year, he was getting great results from the Enbrel. (He's an active tennis player, and he felt like a new man!) But since it's not covered by Medicare, he switched to Remicade. Last month, his treatment did little to improve his symptoms; he spent days on the couch, and had late-day fevers pretty much daily (no fun for a recently retired father of 5 grown kids and grandfather of 10!). This month, the Remicade brought relief, but only for 3 weeks (he'll unfortunately suffer through his symptoms on his birthday).
Apparently Remicade costs more than Enbrel, but isn't covered by Medicare. Does anyone know anything about this, and how he and/or I might get involved to help advocate that it be covered?
Thanks in advance for any advice/tips.