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Hypertonic Saline copay

T

triples15

Super Moderator
Hey everyone...

I have BCBS and for a 30 day supply I pay $9 for generics, $28 brand, and $47 specialty drugs. My only meds that fall under the specialty category are Pulmozyme, Tobi, Cayston and Hypersal. Does anyone else's insurance put hyper-sal into their "specialty drug" or highest copay tier? I guess it just frustrates me because it's actually the cheapest drug I'm on and I pay the most for it. C'mon people, it's salt water for cryin out loud! LOL.

I think i remember hearing that some people still mix the hypertonic saline themselves. You mix the 0.9% saline with what strength? I can't even remember. Anyway, I'm thinking that would be a cheaper alternative because I would only have a $9 copay for each of those, making it $18 for a 30 day supply as opposed to $47 for the brand Hypersal.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

*Disclaimer*

I am aware that I am fortunate to have good health insurance and relatively low copays and am very thankful for it. Just annoyed at paying my highest copay for salt water. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
T

triples15

Super Moderator
Hey everyone...

I have BCBS and for a 30 day supply I pay $9 for generics, $28 brand, and $47 specialty drugs. My only meds that fall under the specialty category are Pulmozyme, Tobi, Cayston and Hypersal. Does anyone else's insurance put hyper-sal into their "specialty drug" or highest copay tier? I guess it just frustrates me because it's actually the cheapest drug I'm on and I pay the most for it. C'mon people, it's salt water for cryin out loud! LOL.

I think i remember hearing that some people still mix the hypertonic saline themselves. You mix the 0.9% saline with what strength? I can't even remember. Anyway, I'm thinking that would be a cheaper alternative because I would only have a $9 copay for each of those, making it $18 for a 30 day supply as opposed to $47 for the brand Hypersal.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

*Disclaimer*

I am aware that I am fortunate to have good health insurance and relatively low copays and am very thankful for it. Just annoyed at paying my highest copay for salt water. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
T

triples15

Super Moderator
Hey everyone...
<br />
<br />I have BCBS and for a 30 day supply I pay $9 for generics, $28 brand, and $47 specialty drugs. My only meds that fall under the specialty category are Pulmozyme, Tobi, Cayston and Hypersal. Does anyone else's insurance put hyper-sal into their "specialty drug" or highest copay tier? I guess it just frustrates me because it's actually the cheapest drug I'm on and I pay the most for it. C'mon people, it's salt water for cryin out loud! LOL.
<br />
<br />I think i remember hearing that some people still mix the hypertonic saline themselves. You mix the 0.9% saline with what strength? I can't even remember. Anyway, I'm thinking that would be a cheaper alternative because I would only have a $9 copay for each of those, making it $18 for a 30 day supply as opposed to $47 for the brand Hypersal.
<br />
<br />Thanks a bunch everyone!
<br />
<br />*Disclaimer*
<br />
<br />I am aware that I am fortunate to have good health insurance and relatively low copays and am very thankful for it. Just annoyed at paying my highest copay for salt water. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
S

Solo

New member
Hey Autumn, if you apply for the CF patient assistence deal, they cover ALL INHALED meds. Depending on your income, you might have to pay a co-pay.

https://www.cfservicespharmacy.com/PatientAssistance/
 
S

Solo

New member
Hey Autumn, if you apply for the CF patient assistence deal, they cover ALL INHALED meds. Depending on your income, you might have to pay a co-pay.

https://www.cfservicespharmacy.com/PatientAssistance/
 
S

Solo

New member
Hey Autumn, if you apply for the CF patient assistence deal, they cover ALL INHALED meds. Depending on your income, you might have to pay a co-pay.
<br />
<br />https://www.cfservicespharmacy.com/PatientAssistance/
 
A

AleksandraKaczynska

New member
Hi, we don't have ready saline mixtures here so we mix it ourselves.
Joanna needs 5 % saline for inhalations so I mix 2 ml. 0,9 % NaCl with 2ml 10% NaCl - this gives 5,45% NaCl.
But I'm not sure if it's cheaper. The saaline bottle - opened should stand no longer then 24 hours in the frigde. So if you don't use it in that time you throw it away.
I use 5 ml bottles for 0,9% - we use 4 ml per day and throw 1 ml out. The 10 % we use one in a day - cause we use all 10ml up.
But like I said - I'm not sure if this will be cheaper.
 
A

AleksandraKaczynska

New member
Hi, we don't have ready saline mixtures here so we mix it ourselves.
Joanna needs 5 % saline for inhalations so I mix 2 ml. 0,9 % NaCl with 2ml 10% NaCl - this gives 5,45% NaCl.
But I'm not sure if it's cheaper. The saaline bottle - opened should stand no longer then 24 hours in the frigde. So if you don't use it in that time you throw it away.
I use 5 ml bottles for 0,9% - we use 4 ml per day and throw 1 ml out. The 10 % we use one in a day - cause we use all 10ml up.
But like I said - I'm not sure if this will be cheaper.
 
A

AleksandraKaczynska

New member
Hi, we don't have ready saline mixtures here so we mix it ourselves.
<br />Joanna needs 5 % saline for inhalations so I mix 2 ml. 0,9 % NaCl with 2ml 10% NaCl - this gives 5,45% NaCl.
<br />But I'm not sure if it's cheaper. The saaline bottle - opened should stand no longer then 24 hours in the frigde. So if you don't use it in that time you throw it away.
<br />I use 5 ml bottles for 0,9% - we use 4 ml per day and throw 1 ml out. The 10 % we use one in a day - cause we use all 10ml up.
<br />But like I said - I'm not sure if this will be cheaper.
 
C

carly23

New member
Yes if you go to cf patient assistance program which i jus recently recieved my cards <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> iv got my creon, pulmozyme, tobi, cayston, hyper sal free!i get to pick them up today!! You should check it out <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
C

carly23

New member
Yes if you go to cf patient assistance program which i jus recently recieved my cards <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> iv got my creon, pulmozyme, tobi, cayston, hyper sal free!i get to pick them up today!! You should check it out <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
C

carly23

New member
Yes if you go to cf patient assistance program which i jus recently recieved my cards <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> iv got my creon, pulmozyme, tobi, cayston, hyper sal free!i get to pick them up today!! You should check it out <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
P

PatrickM

New member
I agree this makes me so mad! We have BC/BS and have had Harvard Pilgrim and our co pay is $50. I think the drug costs $67. I have written to my insurance company about this, I know a waste of time, but I had to do it. It makes no sense that it is considered a tier 3 drug or whatever it is. Also there is no generic pre mixed offered. I was told this is a "brand name" drug if you can believe it.

I have seen, and this was confirmed by my insurance company at one point, that if the MD prescribes you 10% and 3% and you mix them to get the 7% solution you can pay the lower co pay. When the hypertonic first came out I used to mix it this way .

I like your "disclaimer" and I totally agree with you. :)
 
P

PatrickM

New member
I agree this makes me so mad! We have BC/BS and have had Harvard Pilgrim and our co pay is $50. I think the drug costs $67. I have written to my insurance company about this, I know a waste of time, but I had to do it. It makes no sense that it is considered a tier 3 drug or whatever it is. Also there is no generic pre mixed offered. I was told this is a "brand name" drug if you can believe it.

I have seen, and this was confirmed by my insurance company at one point, that if the MD prescribes you 10% and 3% and you mix them to get the 7% solution you can pay the lower co pay. When the hypertonic first came out I used to mix it this way .

I like your "disclaimer" and I totally agree with you. :)
 
P

PatrickM

New member
I agree this makes me so mad! We have BC/BS and have had Harvard Pilgrim and our co pay is $50. I think the drug costs $67. I have written to my insurance company about this, I know a waste of time, but I had to do it. It makes no sense that it is considered a tier 3 drug or whatever it is. Also there is no generic pre mixed offered. I was told this is a "brand name" drug if you can believe it.
<br />
<br />I have seen, and this was confirmed by my insurance company at one point, that if the MD prescribes you 10% and 3% and you mix them to get the 7% solution you can pay the lower co pay. When the hypertonic first came out I used to mix it this way .
<br />
<br />I like your "disclaimer" and I totally agree with you. :)
 
M

mamerth

New member
I am doing the same thing for my Zenpep and Hypersal. My insurance doesn't cover brand names. I just signed up wiht the CF patient assistance program. This is the only way I could stay on these two drugs.
 
M

mamerth

New member
I am doing the same thing for my Zenpep and Hypersal. My insurance doesn't cover brand names. I just signed up wiht the CF patient assistance program. This is the only way I could stay on these two drugs.
 
M

mamerth

New member
I am doing the same thing for my Zenpep and Hypersal. My insurance doesn't cover brand names. I just signed up wiht the CF patient assistance program. This is the only way I could stay on these two drugs.
 
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