My 22yr old daughter has been using hypertonic saline for 5 mths now with great success. My problem is now 5 mths later the insurance is arguing if it is covered. Why it took them 5 mths to come to this conclusion, I don't know. The pharmacy has been mixing it for her to make the solution ok to be inhaled, but now because it not the standard bottled % the insurance is putting up a fuss about paying for it. Initallly Blue Cross told IV league that inhaled drugs did not need prior authorization so that is why it has been given to us for the last 5 mths with out prior authorization. I think I have talked to just about everyone at Blue Cross of Calif, the Carpenter Trust fund, IV league pharmacy, and Prescription Solutions and no one seem to be able to solve this! Oh and let me add that if its not covered it is costing me $750 a month. I just found that out. I thought hypertonic saline was a relatively inexpensive drug? I was shocked! Has anyone had this problem and how did you solve it? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Insurance covering hypertonic saline
- Thread starter anonymous
- Start date
It should NOT cost $750 a month. It's salt water. SALT AND WATER. Bullcrap. You need to have words with your pharmacy - or go elsewhere, asap.
All I know is that Fairview mixes it up for us, and it's about $11/month for the saline and another $10 for the syringes to draw it out. I think that since it's under the minimum for copays, we're just paying what Fairview charges.
All I know is that Fairview mixes it up for us, and it's about $11/month for the saline and another $10 for the syringes to draw it out. I think that since it's under the minimum for copays, we're just paying what Fairview charges.
I know I am shocked because this is what I had read and heard was how inexpensive this was.
I got my insurance denial claim saying it was $353.55 for a 14 day supply We were told it only had a 2 week shelf lifeand that they have to mix it every 14 days. (This is in Los Angeles, my daughter goes to the USC Adult clinic).
Lori
Mom 2 kids with CF
I got my insurance denial claim saying it was $353.55 for a 14 day supply We were told it only had a 2 week shelf lifeand that they have to mix it every 14 days. (This is in Los Angeles, my daughter goes to the USC Adult clinic).
Lori
Mom 2 kids with CF
Echoing miesl, it cost me $40 for a whole box (something like two months' worth) when I paid for it out-of-pocket once. It was brand-name, had an expiration date in the FAR future (2009, I think) and came in 15 CC vials. According to my docs refrigeration could keep them alive for a day or two, so you could use 1 ampule in two days, or whatever dosing schedule you had.
If the pharmacy could mix it up (as opposed to buy it pre-made) I suspect it would be even cheaper. <b>Someone is trying to take you for a ride.</b> Check your PMs in a sec.
If the pharmacy could mix it up (as opposed to buy it pre-made) I suspect it would be even cheaper. <b>Someone is trying to take you for a ride.</b> Check your PMs in a sec.
Ok after many phone calls today, I still don't have an answer on my coverage. but at least they will be delivering my daughter a 1 weeks supply since she is totally out now and has been for 2 days.
I did talk to the pharmacist about why she wasn't mixing it herself. They said they are just starting to have patients do this and we could start doing this on the next refill, they would send the supplies and syringes and directions on mixing. They said they would send 3% & 10 sodium chloride.
However the price would still be the same!! I have to call back and talk to the owner on Monday because now its after 6pm. This is the third week of making calls and I still have no answers. FRUSTRATED<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0">
If anyone out there is mixing their own could you please e-mail how you are doing it and where you get your supplies.
Lolliepap@comcast.net
Thanks
Lori
I did talk to the pharmacist about why she wasn't mixing it herself. They said they are just starting to have patients do this and we could start doing this on the next refill, they would send the supplies and syringes and directions on mixing. They said they would send 3% & 10 sodium chloride.
However the price would still be the same!! I have to call back and talk to the owner on Monday because now its after 6pm. This is the third week of making calls and I still have no answers. FRUSTRATED<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0">
If anyone out there is mixing their own could you please e-mail how you are doing it and where you get your supplies.
Lolliepap@comcast.net
Thanks
Lori
Mockingbird
New member
I don't blame your insurance for not covering $750 a month for saline. It sounds to me like the pharmacy was fleecing your insurance company and the insurance company just finally caught on. Not that I care much about insurance companies, but you're the one who's gonna have to pay the price. If it were me, i'd switch pharamcies; find one that isn't gonna piss of your insurance company.
NoDayButToday
New member
This is semi-random, but... you have to keep your hypertonic saline cold? I was never told to do this-- it never comes with any sort of warning sticker about that. Do those of you who get the 15mL vials of HTS refridgerate your saline (prior to opening the ampule, that is)?