**Mikey**

flamencogal

I'm sure you've heard all the hoop-la already but in case you haven't I wanted to fill you in.  Not sure if your doc is going to want you to do the 17P shots from 16 weeks-34/36 weeks or not but if you are planning to do them, you may want to get the vials ASAP.

A pharmaceutical company has just been awarded the exclusive rights to the shots which is going to make it easier to get the shots but they are also skyrocketing the price.  Right now, shots are about 10-20 bucks per shot and they are going to go up to $1500 PER shot.  It's an insane hike!!

I just got my last vial to get me through the end of the pregnancy.  Even if your insurance won't pay for you to preorder, it still may be cheaper to pay out of pocket before this increase takes effect.  

Just wanted to let you know just in case this would affect you.

 

mrsmikey

I have heard the news and I am livid.  I was planning on doing the shots, but not until 20 weeks.  We were going to discuss it at my appt then, which isn't until the end of April.  So I don't think there's anything I can do right now  

My OB administers the shot, so I won't be getting a prescription that I can fill like that.  So this will affect me, very much so.  I'm not sure what we're going to do, I'm really at a loss.

flamencogal

It may be worth a call to your OB to see if you can get the vials now.  I know that there are several women whose docs usually administer the shot but are preordering the vials anyway now to avoid this cost hike.  Even if you just hold on to the vials (or if your OB office preorders and holds on to them) and then have the OB administer the shots when the time comes...

 I know there is a big movement to fight this so it's not a forgone conclusion.  I just can't believe they are doing this!!

  

mrsmikey

It's probably worth a call. 

I just hope someone can do something soon, it's so ridiculous! 

mrsmikey

OK, talked to the nurse at my OB's office that's handling this.  They already went ahead and preordered for everyone that was already getting the shot (bless their hearts), but had no idea who else was 'in waiting'.  So she was super glad I called, and is going to go ahead and call in my prescription for at least 1 vial, and we're going to see if I can get 2.  Then they will ship to my OB's office and they will store them until I start coming in every week.

I called my insurance and she really couldn't tell me how much, or even if, it would be covered.  So I am going to pay for it all out of pocket and then submit the claim to them.  But even still, the out of pocket cost for 10 injections is only about $90.  So I don't care if my insurance helps pay for it or not, that's a deal! 

flamencogal

YAY!  That's what I've heard most practices are doing--trying to get everyone's ordered ASAP.  And like you said, I'm guessing your $90 out of pocket expense now will still be less than what insurance would have charged you, even if they covered it.  I'm also hearing that insurance companies are going to make the "requirements" to get the shot more stringent--like previous preterm birth had to be before 32 weeks or something.

SO glad you called and got it worked out!

 

alchris

That's REALLY great to hear, mrsmikey!  Horrible situation, but so glad you'll be all set.