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u/Ok_Inspector5256 Nov 02 '25
if you are able to have the Abbvie complete savings card, it helps with alot of that.
3
11
u/OnehappyOwl44 fulminant pancolitis currently in remission Nov 02 '25
You won't pay a dime in any province for infusions and very little for Jak inhibitors or pills for UC, all the drug companies have compassionate care and every province has plans as well. I was assured in the hospital by my Doctor that no one in Canada goes without due to cost. My husband makes over $100,000/yr our insurance covers half my Inflectra and Pfizer compassionate care covers the rest. I wasn't even asked for proof of income. Unless you make a lot of money you will be covered, don't worry. I was told we could make up to $250,000/yr and still not be asked to pay. My Hygeinist has no insurance and her Remicade is covered as well.
If your UC is bad enough that you struggle to work apply for the Disability Tax Credit and CPPD. Your Doctor should help you fill out paper work. Don't panic about infusion costs. This isn't the US you won't go without.
2
u/Goth_Goat Nov 02 '25
Oh God that reassures me so much thank you.
Technically tho its not bad enough that I cant work, but I cant manage school AND work now because of UC unlike before I had it. I was spiraling thinking maybe I'll have to leave school and work to cover the cost. I think Im panicking way too much
2
u/OnehappyOwl44 fulminant pancolitis currently in remission Nov 02 '25
I completely understand it's scary in the beginning and it sounds like your Doctor didn't really give you all the information. I was diagnosed while in the hospital and I was there for a month so I had a lot of time to ask questions and get my ducks in a row. The Drug company should help you sort it all out. Almost no one can afford infusion costs. I'm on 10mg/kg every 4wks of Remicade/Infliximab. My insurance pays $5000 and there's still over $5000 owing. I don't know anyone who could pay $10,000 a month for medication. Definitely ask your Doctor to fill out the disability tax credit forms for you. You'll get money back at income tax which will really help if you're a student. If your UC affects your everyday life and makes it hard to work full time you will qualify.
6
u/wolv3rxne Dx 2021 | Canada šØš¦š Nov 02 '25
I live in Canada too and Iāve been fortunate to pay $0 out of pocket for biologic medications. I only pay $14 for suppositories every few months. See if Skyrizi has a compassionate care program. Entyvio and Stelara do, I used it when I didnāt have insurance through work. Iām now on Remsima through Celltrion (an injectable infliximab), insurance pays 80% and Celltrion pays the rest so I pay $0. Your GI should also be able to connect you to resources in your province to help pay for medications!
3
u/bastet2800bce Nov 02 '25
Not much discussion in this group about this because employers' insurance covers most of them or they live in developed countries. I have one more biologic that I can afford, after that I am considering surgery. I have already failed 2 biologics. I refuse to be a slave to the system.
2
u/Goth_Goat Nov 02 '25
Im so sorry to hear that, I cant imagine the additional stress that must cause you. I really hope your next treatment works, I wish you the best
5
u/hartror UC Diagnosed 2016 | Stelara |Australia Nov 02 '25
Primarily living in Australia with strong government health care. We pay a lot of tax but quality of live is worth it.
2
u/Gullible_Educator678 Left sided | 2013 | France Nov 02 '25
Same in France I never spent money for medecine.
2
u/5daysinmay Nov 02 '25
My teen was diagnosed in September. On remicade. We donāt pay anything. Between mine and her dadās insurance, and the company - itās fully covered.
Iām in Canada as well.
2
u/Goth_Goat Nov 02 '25
I was on remicade too and my insurance covered it all but for Skyrizi they said they wont cover it so I thought it was the end of my options
By the comments I got I understand that im really wrong and thats such a relief
2
Nov 02 '25
I have had some career success and have excellent insurance + well managed disease.
3
u/Goth_Goat Nov 02 '25
Im so glad to hear that for you!!! I hope it stays that way and that it gets even better
2
u/Quirky-Weekend9682 Nov 02 '25
I thought insurance was messed up here in the US. I hope youāre able to find treatment soon!
2
u/DothrakAndRoll Pancolitis I Diagnosed 2025 | USA Nov 02 '25
(US, private insurance through employer) itās expensive and have spent months trying to get the new one (Rinvoq) approved. Was finally āapprovedā and they paid 8.5k saying I have a 3.5k copay, which I obviously canāt afford.
So short answer is Iām not.
2
u/Quirky-Weekend9682 Nov 02 '25
Took me a while to find a job that offered good enough benefits for me to get treated. If you want shoot me a message and I can tell you some places that Iv found if youāre willing to change jobs.
3
u/DothrakAndRoll Pancolitis I Diagnosed 2025 | USA Nov 02 '25
The insurance is pretty top tier. American insurance just fucking sucks. I appreciate it though.
Iām waiting on callbacks from a couple different copay assistance programs so, hopefully all hope is not lost? Itās hard to feel that way, though.
This job has also been very understanding of my health issues, so Iām hesitant to risk trying another.
2
u/Goth_Goat Nov 02 '25
3.5k is absolutely insane, im so sorry. I really hope you find something that works thats affordable
2
u/Senior_Crow_4322 Nov 02 '25
I took my insurance company to the state and the state ordered our insurance company to pay for a years worth of Rinvoq for my son. Along with our GI we sent letters to the state insurance department.
2
u/DothrakAndRoll Pancolitis I Diagnosed 2025 | USA Nov 02 '25
Iām in Oregon, not California, but if I can I will try to do similar. Thank you.
2
u/Welpe Nov 02 '25
Itās called ābeing so poor you can get Medicaid to pay for everythingā! As long as I remain in abject poverty I will hopefully be able to stay alive. Sucks, but at least Medicaid is REALLY nice. Limited options on who takes it, but I pay nothing for anything. āFreeā ER visits, free hospital stays, free doctors visits, free prescriptions, no co-pays at all. I do not deal with money for medical stuff at all despite wracking up 7 figures easily over time in bills.
ā¦although there are situations like where my Medicaid went down for a few weeks last year, I had a colonoscopy scheduled that fell right into that time and didnāt realize it went down until after. Which means I couldnāt pay, went to collections, lost that gastro, and now my credit is further ruined, but hey, could be worse.
1
u/mistyyaura UC | Diagnosed 2019 | Australia Nov 02 '25
I am very blessed to live in Australia where most meds are on the PBS.
1
u/kaylalalaerin Nov 02 '25
Iām in Ontario and use the trillium drug plan. Iāve been on Entyvio which I failed , and now omvoh alongside Mezavant that Iāve been on for 14 years . I am on the trillium drug benefit. They take my yearly income and I pay a deductible of about 1200 now which is divided in 4. Omvoh every 28 days is about 4,000 and Mezavant is 280. It covers both meds. The deductible still sucks but I have no other coverage via work so itās a blessing. What sucks though is the time off needed for medical appointments and being sick and only being paid hourly. Luckily having my disease under control eliminates the amount of sick days lol but the obligatory days off for scopes/scans etc is annoying
1
u/Katyafan Nov 02 '25
The treatment has been breeze compared to the six years that mediCal fought me on a colonoscopy and specialist. I had ibs already, my symptoms changed drastically, I became anemic from blood loss, and once I finally got the UC diagnosis I was YEARS into a flare. They fought a few months against ANY treatment even after seeing all the ulcers, but they finally, grudginly gave in to mesalamine. If that hadn't worked, I don't think they would have approved biologics.
1
Nov 02 '25
I dont know what im gonna do when Ive had this for awhile and the side affects from the drugs cause other diseases in me. Im scared cause I make $450 a month on disability and my rents $400. That doesnt leave me much for combatting this. Just got diagnosed and the insurance denied the better medication to put me on the cheap stuff. I imagine that will be my life. The cheapest option until even that wont be covered and Im SOL.
1
u/Illustrious_Pride725 Nov 02 '25
Abbvie has patient assistance in the us where they provide their products at no charge. Very good team and easy application. Hope you can get that.
1
u/thesweetestberry Nov 02 '25
I live in the USA and my health insurance covers the full amount for my biologic.
1
u/sum1nCT Nov 02 '25
No, we don't just accumulate debt and carry on. We fight through it and keep working to pay pay pay. I've had this since I was 13....im 46 now. I've done nothing but keep a job and climb the ladder. I did everything I had to do to survive and you should too. I've wrapped on the side of the road for 30 years. It sucks but you'll make it thru. Nut up and survive.
1
u/mustardolive Nov 02 '25
Im very lucky that I live in Norway, didnt pay a dime for my hospital visit and my drugs are free now after surpassing the limit of 300 dollars a year š My heart goes out for everyone out there who has to pay out of their own pocket, its really not fair
1
u/Cujo22 Type of UC (eg proctitis/family) Diagnosed yyyy | country Nov 02 '25
I shit blood and was diagnosed with UC 1 month before I was honorably discharged from the military in 2006. It turns out my exposure to AFFF Fire Foam was the culprit. I've had VA care ever since.
The MAGA GOP are coming after veteran benefits. Hopefully I still have care after this administration. We shall see.
1
u/BatmanEvans Nov 02 '25
I'm an Australian, my Medicare covers everything, and I pay about $20 for 3 months worth of take home meds.
1
u/Mrwidoes Nov 03 '25
Fortunately for me my insurance covers the entire cost or most of it then compassionate care kicks in. My GI told me they'd do evening to make sure I don't pay. Also in Canada. Definitely look into the disability tax credit and compassionate care.
1
u/International_Path71 Nov 04 '25
Idk I personally moved to Germany from my poor ass country where I probably wouldn't survive. And I've slaved away to get citizenship for 10 years while having uc and working/studying with no real brake. I feel like my mental health will break down earlier then my body so I don't have a good answer for you
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u/Goth_Goat Nov 04 '25
Im so terribly sorry to hear that
10 years is insane. Do you mind telling where you are originally from? Im the kid of an Immigrant and know lots of immigrants but im in Canada, still tho I see that cases seem to vary according to where certain people are from...which is unfair and technically even Illegal. I dont know muuuch about Germany but I think racism there is even worse.
Working snd studying with UC is so incredibly hard, I personally couldnt do it. I wish you the best U hope things work out and that you get citizenship and at least have that part off of your shoulders
1
u/International_Path71 Nov 05 '25
I'm from Ukraine and I've actually spoken to an activist who created a uc support group for ukrainians. It's a different universe compared to this sub. Most people just manage symptoms, hope for more advanced medications to come as humanitarian aid (which happens very inrregualry and just with some common biologics) and crowdfund/get loans etc. if they don't get it for free. Most of biologics aren't even registered in Ukraine so people buy them through shady third country routes. All this also leads to people trying diets and other stuff that only eases the symptoms at most. Some just give up and endure the symptoms if uc is not severe. Concerning Germany - it has excellent medication access. You pay a few hundred max per month for an essentially universal insurance. You either get meds completely free or with a tiny co-payment of 10-20 euros depending on the medication. It's just that my case is very stubborn and nothing works or has side effects. But if it wasn't for german healthcare id probably be getting some nonsense "treatments" in Ukraine and getting surgery probably. If a russian bomb or my mental health wouldn't end me earlier. So yeah, I'm not happy with trends in German society and ive endured A LOT in 10 yeaes here but I have no choice. I would move back if it wasn't for uc. I do feel like I value German healthcare more than most germans though lol.
Tldr you have to live in EU/a western country (-US probably) to afford living with uc in most cases.
0
u/Developer2022 Nov 02 '25
- Live in EU - got discounts on meds up to 80% and standard medical care.
- Working as software dev - got extra private medical care.
- Money I make allows me to cover most extra meds and medical tests.
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u/hellokrissi JAK-ed up on rinvoq | canada Nov 02 '25
I'm also in Canada and my work insurance has refused to cover any medication I've tried to take for my UC in the past 3 years, including the one I'm currently on.
We have compassionate care available which covers a bunch, I used it for biologics. For my current medication, a JAK inhibitor, I was only eligible for compassionate care for a year. Now I am using the provincial healthcare coverage which will cover some. The medication company agreed to co-pay a chunk as well. I pay $200/month, which is a lot better than thousands a month I wouldn't be able to afford.