Started Nucala

Oh wow I’m waiting for my insurance to approve so I can go on it, I’m on breztri and ohtuvayre and it’s not enough so I am hoping to try it out, but lease keep us updated on it, feel better

Hello,
I was hoping someone would be using Nucala. My doctor mentioned he wanted to start me on either Dupixent or Nucala for ACOS Asthma and COPD.
A little uncertain about them but…it would be great if something would help.

Daughter & I have been on Fasenra/Xolair for years. Highly recommend. Nucala is no different. I have emphysema/bronchiectasis and nobody knew because my PFTs were so good. I barely had asthma symptoms & only noticed when stopping for a brief time. Daughter was placed on Dupixent to prevent infections and so far has been able to avoid getting sick despite being in a dorm room with other sick students. It is definitely working.

I started Nucala and just took my 2nd dose. I had 11months of Dupixent before this. Had to switch because of arthlagia (muscle aches & pains). was able to stop having COPD exacerbations.

I have private insurance so was able to use the nucala’s discount card and have no copay. No financial info was required.

Before starting biologic, in 2023, I had 3 exacerbations and we were very concerned.

@suzyq61 I am on trelegy, have the o2vayrebut haven’t started it yet. I did one the same day I got the shot of Nucala, got lil sob, I didn’t do anymore. Trying to get the courage up to try it again. Nucala for one month seem to help.I have been able to breath better, rehab this month I was able to stay on treadmill long and higher setting.

@orangetiger only had one shot but was breathing, walking, coughing up mucus better.

@hicopd I only had one shot, how has it been for you?

Thank you all, this has been most helpful!

Just learned that Nucala is billed to Medicare B (yes, that is B as in Bravo) and then whatever secondary insurance you may have. I had thought since it appears to me to be a medication it would be Medicare D and/or whatever private drug coverage the patient had. Nope, after 2.75 days of getting the runaround from Nucala/GSK as well as my insurer and CVS Specialty pharmacy, I finally learned at the end of it that NO, just because it is something that is administered by syringe or auto-inject pen at home, it is NOT considered a drug and is medical care covered under Medicare B (hey why do rules have to make sense). So now that we have had a 3-way conference call that the insurer customer service person set up between me, her and the pharmaceutical company, we will have the company re-bill Medicare correctly, who will get the bill 1st and then send the statement of benefits to insurer to process and pay their portion and I should have a grand total of $0 copay! That sure is much more palatable than the $790+ per auto-inject pen that they had billed me for!

My message is if you have problems, ask that a conference call be set up with your insurer and the Nucala folks to try to straighten out the bill. Do NOT assume you have to pay whatever high amount you are billed. Also, even though it may appear to be a medication, it is NOT covered under prescription drug plans it is Medicare B!?!?!? Oh well, that seemed like time well spent ironing all of this out, and it helps any other patient, YAY!

@hicopd
I am in Australia and ours is generally on the PBS...costs around $8 to us for inhalers/puffers etc. 🙏