Has anyone had to go off of their Coumadin (or other blood thinner) and substitute it with Lovanox or something similar?

My mother's supplemental insurance (she is on Medicare) does not pay for the Lovanox, which she takes in place of the Coumadin. The price tag is - hold your horses - over $600/week.

We do not see any other options... no other drug, other dosage, etc. The doctor is emphatic about this medicine.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Try the manufacturer, they often can help in such a case. Is there a patient navigator or medical social worker at the hospital who can help?? Also call the American Cancer Society.
Good luck!

Check with your doctor. Many times the doctor is able to help out in getting insurance companies to align with what the doctor feels is needed.

They told me I could only do Nexium for 6 months and my doctor told them no, it would be permanent. They finally complied with my doc. because there was a true need for it. We also had to battle for some of the meds my dad and mom needed when they were in their final years.... When there is a need and a doctor to verify the need, they will usually come into compliance but sometimes it takes a fight.

Insurance wants the cheap route. (and this is GOOD for the most part) but if one med is needed over another and they use money as the deciding factor and not the need of the patient, then this calls for the next step in action.

So talk to her doctor, have them fight for her to get what she needs and if that does not work, speak to a lawyer and ask what steps need to be taken. The attorney general's office also may be able to help if you call them - or tell you who can help at least.

Does Medicare have a patient liason number?

Be her advocate! Don't let this slide.

Thanks for looking out for her and checking on this.

and why they charge $600 for meds for one week I do not understand. they talk about oil companies and the price of gas - but i think cancer patients get gouged worse than anyone on earth and no one pays attention...

ok i am off my soapbox now ... just been reading too much about $40k treatments etc .... riles my backbone when i read this stuff.

sorry for my rant ... i just get so upset when i hear of people who cannot AFFORD to get better because they make the treatments so expensive they cannot do it.


has anyone ever put together a book of resources and aides available to cancer patients? if not, I should work on this when I am recovering ... so it is available to those who are lost and need the help but have no clue how or where to find it.

We received lots of books, folders and pamphlets from every entity...RO, MO, ENT, SPOHNC, and anyone else dealing with cancer treatments. I had a stash two feet high..many duplicates from the American Cancer Society.

Many of these info sheets had local resources noted so at least here, there is plenty of help.

Deb

hi Daughter in VA,

i'm a bit late reading your post, hope things have worked out for your mother.

i was on Coumadin for a blood clot in my leg. when i went for hip replacement surgery, i went off it for a bit. i had Lovanox for a couple of short periods of time.

is your mother back on Coumadin, or was there a need for her to stay on Lovanox?

cu,
larryb in Salisbury, MD