tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post560127420394254175..comments2023-10-02T04:06:53.185-04:00Comments on Brass and Ivory: Life with MS and RA: The MS Relapse is Not So InexpensiveLisa Emrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862232056342347990noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-36738479389515827312008-07-01T13:58:00.000-04:002008-07-01T13:58:00.000-04:00Thanks, Lisa. It's better than a couple of years ...Thanks, Lisa. It's better than a couple of years ago, when I was on my husband's Cobra (he used to teach in a public school system.) Great coverage, but that ran about $500/month for me, and my parents had to pay for it, because I had absolutely NO income and Bill had just started at his new job, which made him far happier than teaching. Now at least I have a little income here and there from the freelance writing, but definitely nothing to live off of! I barely contribute to the bills!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-65176536512593615552008-07-01T04:32:00.000-04:002008-07-01T04:32:00.000-04:00I am so incredibly fortunate to have excellent hea...I am so incredibly fortunate to have excellent health insurance...your post reminds me of this, which I sometimes need to maintain a sense of gratitude. Thanks...<BR/><BR/>Linda D. in SeattleBRAINCHEESEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04478852688645497036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-6663772333686779762008-06-30T22:15:00.000-04:002008-06-30T22:15:00.000-04:00Jen, I hope you get your approval letter soon. Be...Jen, I hope you get your approval letter soon. Being under-employed has it's own challenges. This probably won't make you feel better, but maybe just less alone.<BR/><BR/>My premiums run about $300 for just me, and that is a policy which was underwritten years before MS became official in my life. Mandy of MSmaze pays about $550 for just herself post MS and her monthly Copaxone copays are $500.<BR/><BR/>It's an expensive world out there. The most important thing in my book would be to keep your teeth in group coverage as long as possible. Good luck.Lisa Emrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862232056342347990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-10683517764390550732008-06-30T22:06:00.000-04:002008-06-30T22:06:00.000-04:00Nadja, I did acupuncture for awhile and enjoyed it...Nadja, I did acupuncture for awhile and enjoyed it. Typically the acupuncturist will suggest that you go weekly for visits until achieving a stable state. Then maybe you might go once a month for awhile until you only go when needed. Hope you enjoy.Lisa Emrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862232056342347990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-78380099183933481882008-06-30T22:01:00.000-04:002008-06-30T22:01:00.000-04:00Diane, I agree that MS is way too expensive. In 2...Diane, I agree that MS is way too expensive. In 2006 after being denied an appeal for additional help for Copaxone. That year my medical expenses exceeded $16,000 out-of-pocket after receiving as much help as possible from a variety of sources.Lisa Emrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862232056342347990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-53068376915226591132008-06-30T21:38:00.000-04:002008-06-30T21:38:00.000-04:00GG - I've made the MS/RA mistake more than once. ...GG - I've made the MS/RA mistake more than once. Makes things interesting I suppose. <BR/><BR/>And I really am fortunate to have an insurance policy with only $25 copays and 10% coinsurance for covered stuff. However, I'm also one of those who have practically no drug coverage, as my policy caps out at $1500. That covers less than 3 weeks of meds each year.Lisa Emrichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862232056342347990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-702914185397751162008-06-30T21:09:00.000-04:002008-06-30T21:09:00.000-04:00I have Aetna insurance (through my husband), but i...I have Aetna insurance (through my husband), but it is the cheapest policy the small company (under 35 people) would get. Many of the employees are women (under their husbands' insurances), or bosses, who can afford the high monthly premiums.<BR/><BR/>My husband just had his annual review and was telling his boss that his raise will barely make a dent in our monthly insurance costs. His boss was like, "Sorry." My husband likes his job and has been there for 2 years. I don't want him to change jobs again because of me. <BR/><BR/>I just had my disability hearing the beginning of June, after more than 2 years of scanty employment, being laid off 2x because I was out so much from relapses, and then seasonally working from home: www.nticentral.org. <BR/><BR/>My lawyer believes I have won the case, but it can take a couple of months to get the "letter." In the meantime, I am unemployed again, besides some freelance writing gigs, when we really need the disability the most. I hope I get it, maybe just to be eligible for Medicare. Our mortgage and health insurance eat up most of my husband's income!<BR/><BR/>Now I'm done bitchin'.....Thanks for listening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-30496814182375978412008-06-30T17:17:00.000-04:002008-06-30T17:17:00.000-04:00I am worried about the long term expense of MS too...I am worried about the long term expense of MS too. I am going for some acupuncture tomorrow (not covered by insurance). Just an initial will cost $140.00 out of pocket. I hope I don't need a follow up any time real soon.Denver Refashionistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17681030016057155728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-40422780037047915912008-06-30T05:20:00.000-04:002008-06-30T05:20:00.000-04:00Being disabled is the most expensive thing I've ev...Being disabled is the most expensive thing I've ever done. I have GOOD ins., PLUS Medicare and, Lisa, each year ms gets more expensive.Diane J Standifordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862850657925658079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500936220214961312.post-7734019865778639822008-06-29T20:01:00.000-04:002008-06-29T20:01:00.000-04:00Lisa-I think I would come unglued if anyone were t...Lisa-<BR/><BR/>I think I would come unglued if anyone were to say MS, RA or any chronic disease is inexpensive. What you paid is unbelievable and then I think of others who have less insurance, no insurance etc--those who can't afford meds and I just cry. There is so much to be done!!<BR/><BR/>I also understand the attributing how your doing to RA. I think I possibly had MS, much earlier but thought the time I couldn't get out of bed was RA--after all I was in a lot of pain?!!<BR/><BR/>GGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com