← Return to Feeling defeated

Discussion

Feeling defeated

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 13 hours ago | Replies (31)

Comment receiving replies
@ropnrose

@nyxgirl--A couple of months ago, when my rheumy and I had a conversation about biologics and methatrexate, she suggested Kevzara. I'm on Medicare and my Part D would not cover it with out me jumping through a bunch of hoops. If they did approve, I would have high co-pays. I wasn't crazy about biologics due to the side effects (pick your poison), so we dropped the conversation, because I was managing my PMR pain. Fast forward to December, I had a flare up. Along with the flare up, my headaches were similar to the ones I had when I had suspected GCA during the summer. I contacted her and told her that I wanted to try Actemra, which is approved for GCA and also used for PMR. She was on board and all I had to do was find a local infusion center and she submitted the order. With Actemra, I can go to an infusion center and my Medicare plans will pay for the infusions, after I meet my annual deductible. Actemra can also be prescribed for self administered injections at home. Doing that, I would have been in the same situation with my prescription plan and co-pays.

Jump to this post


Replies to "@nyxgirl--A couple of months ago, when my rheumy and I had a conversation about biologics and..."

wow -thanks so much for sharing that ! I think someone else mentioned the distinction between Medicare coverage for infusion vs injection - go figure! And in another conversation someone mentioned that their manufacturer co-pays ended* -so Kezvara ended up being costly.
for the year 2024 I upped my Part D coverage to tier 5 in case I would need to go on a biological , now in 2025 my Part D plan has gone up 4-fold ! Good luck @ropnrose !

*see this conversation : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1203356/