Good News!!

My mom got me in touch with the 'head nun' at Avera McKennan  a couple of weeks ago regarding my plea for the hospital to find a way for me to receive my infusions at the Cancer Institutes infusion center.


*The history for this 'story' is that in September of 2013 I had to stop getting my Remicade infusions because Avera (hospital) did not accept my medications being sent from the specialty pharmacy my insurance used ,to their infusion center. A so called 'no brown bag' policy. I've tried two different biologics since then, been on prednisone since October, and suffered pain and the crippling affects of RA daily.


The nun got me in touch with the vice president of the pharmacy at Avera. He then got me in touch with a patient advocate at the pharmacy. They all worked together. It was a frustrating process...but well worth it, because I finally got fantastic results and news today!! I received news this morning that they've found a way to work with my insurance and that my insurance will cover 80% of the medication, Remicade, through the hospitals pharmacy! For Actemra I will need a prior authorization, but most likely they will cover it the same as they would Remicade. The other 20% I will work with the drug companies to hopefully get copay assistance. Even 20% can be quite high.


I'm grateful that the people at the Avera pharmacy put the extra time and effort into finding a solution, AND I'm grateful that my insurance company bent their normal procedures so that I may receive my medication at a cost I can manage. And I am incredibly grateful for my biggest advocate - my mom, Dee Dee Raap. You rock, mom!


Even though I'm not feeling well today - It is a FANTASTIC DAY with GREAT NEWS for this Autoimmune Momma!!


The lesson in all of this for me is to never stop fighting for what I need. We all must be our own advocate - even when the road gets long and the light at the end of the tunnel is looking dim - we must trudge on to get what we need!


I do have to finish my 'trial period' with the Actemra injections I'm currently taking. My last injection is next Thursday. After that I'll see my rheumatologist to determine if the injections have helped or not. Based on how I feel, the current flaring of my hands, toes and shoulders, I'd say it is not working. But that's ok because I will get back on infusions and hopefully feel awesome again!