As part of our continuing efforts to highlight all the patient assistance programs available through the pharmaceutical companies that make the disease modifying drugs for Multiple Sclerosis, we continue with AVONEX. The price of AVONEX is approximately $3,000 per month.
What we want to know about these programs is:
- How easy is it to apply?
- What is needed to apply?
- How easy is it to receive the assistance?
- Do they really work in terms of helping MS patients with financial assistance?
- What is offered?
AVONEX offers a program called AVONEX Services that covers a co-pay program and an access program. The only way to apply to these programs is via a phone call to them at 1-800-456-2255. There is no online application. From the phone call I placed to AVONEX Services, it seems that a prelimary phone interview is the way to get things rolling, where certain information is taken from you and then turned over to their financial assistance team. You must have a prescription for AVONEX to begin the process.
If you have insurance and cannot meet your co-pay, their financial assistance team will do insurance research to see if you do have coverage for the drug. If you still cannot afford your co-pay, a 2nd screening is done by the AVONEX Services financial assistance team. Eligibility, I was told, is done on a case-by-case basis.
I did not receive a clear answer on what the qualifiers are for the programs and I have asked them to contact me further so I can post them here.
As far as being underinsured or uninsured, AVONEX Services offers something called their access program. Again, details remain sketchy but I came away from my conversation with AVONEX Services with these points:
- They do help those who are on government assistance.
- They do help both new and current AVONEX users.
- They do offer a temporary assistance program, of up to two (2) years, to get those who need AVONEX free of charge.
Beyond that, I am not certain on a few other issues. For example, it was said several times that “they partner with financial institutions,” to help you with payment. When asked what financial institutions they partner with, I was told that information comes from the financial assistance team. Again, it is unclear to me what that means.
Sending MS patients to charitable organizations to get their AVONEX was also mentioned, but that was it; it was mentioned with no further details. Why they would mention a program to send patients to charitable organizations when they have a program in place for up to two (2) years, leaves the overall impression of gaps within their patient assistance program. Again, I am waiting for more details from AVONEX.
I finally inquired about the Affordable Care Act and the impending six (6) month waiting period to apply for the new high risk pools and what, if anything, was Biogen doing about this. Are they prepared for this and would they be willing to begin a program that will get this group of people their drugs for free? I left my contact information and I await their response.
AVONEX is manufactured by Biogen Idec who also make Tysabri. Stock quote for Biogen can be found here.
MS Activism 