1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

How does Kevzara help with PMR symptoms and pain? I am being weaned

Posted by tsharkey01 @tsharkey01, Sep 8, 2023

I have had Pmr for 15 months now. It took forever to get diagnosed. I have been on 20 - 5 - 1 mg prednisone. My rheumatologist wants me to try kevzara. Is it worth it? I have been this way so long now I have forgotten what normal feels like.

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pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 13 7:17am
In reply to @barracudacool "The cost of Kevzara is horrendous and the company really should be ashamed of itself for..." + (show)
@barracudacool

The cost of Kevzara is horrendous and the company really should be ashamed of itself for pricing it this high. For me it would have been over a thousand a month for two injections. But there are a number of workarounds. The company does provide help. My insurance provides some help. The specialty pharmacy (accredo) Kevzara comes from helped me look at all the options. Provided nursing support, etc. I pay nothing. Additionally my doctor had a kind and thoughtful workaround with the drug being administered by transfusion in his office once a month If I wasn’t able to work out having injections shipped to my home For a fraction of the amount. It was a bit complicated but it all worked out. Do not let the cost deter you from trying it before looking at the options for covering the costs.

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Great advice!! Your description sounds as if you have private insurance and not Medicare?

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barracudacool | @barracudacool | Jan 13 7:28am
In reply to @pb50 "Great advice!! Your description sounds as if you have private insurance and not Medicare?" + (show)
@pb50

Great advice!! Your description sounds as if you have private insurance and not Medicare?

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Yes private insurance. But the pharmacy went through all the options available including trying to go through Medicare. Also the doctor also mentioned the transfusion option as a workaround if the insurance wouldn’t cover it. So my advice would be just explore what options are available. Don’t let the initial price put you off from exploring the drug as an option.

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DadCue | @dadcue | Jan 13 7:42am

I don’t know if Kevzara is given via infusion. I now do an infusion of Actemra every month. I believe Medicare covers infusions because they are consider to be inpatient medications given in a hospital setting.

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pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 13 7:45am

I absolutely agree. If it can be administered in the doc’s office it may be covered by part B as an office visit - As my biologic Remicade is. And in addition to Part B I have a plan G supplement that covers the copay.
In my case with now four rheumatologists from moving around in my career, they took the lead in terms of interacting with Medicare.

Anyone should run down all options. But if you are receiving social security or Medicare, odds are that the drug manufacturer cannot legally offer price reductions.

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