Medical Catch 22
With all due respect my co-pay is $854.21 a month, with the other drugs I am on for side effects my monthly out of pocket is about a thousand dollars a month. Novartis has completely slammed the door in my face. It doesn't matter to them at all that my insurance is grossly inadequate for this outrageously expensive drug they will not help people with insurance. Even my oncologist implored them on my behalf. It amazes me that they will give it for free to people without jobs or insurance but that people like me with jobs are refused totally. I don't need a free ride, just a little help. I am a single mom who is struggling to work six days a week to pay for these drugs and keep a roof over our heads. My oncologist tells me I fall into a medical black hole. I earn to much to get help but not enough to stay alive. I cannot cut my hours and pay for G. And i have to many hours to get help. I feel exhausted, scared and am getting bitter. Its like whether you get to live or die depends on who your insurance company is or if you are unemployed. I appreciate that Gleevec is keeping me alive longer, unfortunetly working so much to pay for it is killing me faster. I wish I could think Novartis was 'wonderful' too. Jayne