drugs- MDIPA- antagonist protocol

[Anonymous]

Hi- I have MDIPA and will be order the antagonist protocol drugs soon. Understanding that meds are differing prices at different places, does anyone have experience:

1) How long it takes to get the drugs once authorization for IVF completed?
2) Where are the best/cheapest places for below?

THANK YOU!


· Ganirelix/cetrotide syringes - when directed.

· Gonadotropin FSH (Bravelle, Gonal-F) and 75 IU FSH&LH (Menopur)

· Lupron or HCG Trigger – One time intramuscular injection.

· Zithromax 1 gram - taken when directed evening before egg retrieval.

· Estrace 2 mg (#60) - taken when directed to start evening of egg retrieval.

· Endometrin vaginal insert (#60), as directed to start the day after egg retrieval.

[Anonymous]

I have MDIPA, too. We did a different protocol, so had some different drugs, but they were all paid for (just co-pays for me), and I got them at Freedom Fertility Pharmacy, which is MDIPA's approved pharmacy. The letter of approval for the IVF included the drug coverage and Freedom had to verify it with the insurance. There was a small hangup with that because they tried to go through United Healthcare directly (UHC's drug program will know nothing about your special approval for coverage - so if you call UHC customer service and say this is about prescription meds, it will get you nowhere). It took a couple of days for Freedom to realize they had to go through MDIPA (or something - I didn't really understand what the problem was or why it was hard for them to figure out). It still only took a few days to get the drugs, so all was fine. HTH.

[Anonymous]

OP here- just did a search of the archieves- it sounds like if I just went to the pharmacy downstairs at Rockville office it sounds like I could get them easily there?

For a relatively minimal cost?

[Anonymous]

I don't know if that is an approved pharmacy. I was under the impression that I couldn't use it, but can't remember how I found out I had to use Freedom.

[Anonymous]

Where is Freedom pharmacy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is Freedom pharmacy?

http://www.freedomfertility.com/

[Anonymous]

I think you have to use Freedom with MDIPA (or I was told that at some point). They're in Massachussetts, but the people on the phone are very friendly. They ship overnight, so there isn't much of a lag.

They will probably tell you this themselves, but if you're using Freedom you want to have Gonal-F called in as your FSH med; they have a coupon for the co-pay. I didn't pay anything for it. Your meds are similar to mine, so I would expect your costs to be pretty low, maybe less than $300.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Where do I find the coupon you mentioned!?
It is SO helpful to have these stories from people who have been there already- finding this process really stressful enough for the obvious reasons, and it's maddening to not be able to get any real information from the insurance.

[Anonymous]

One thing about Freedom - I just got my first shipment - you had to sign for it (won't leave at your door) and they were backordered on Menopur for like two weeks. Luckily, the timing was OK for me, but plan ahead as much as you can.

[Anonymous]

If you can't be home to receive the order, try having it shipped to a nearby FedExlocation for pickup. I did that with multiple orders and used a FedEx Kinko's with late hours. It helped reduce my stress quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

I used Grubbs pharmacy in Dc with MDIPA and they deliver for free.

[Anonymous]

Oh- very cool about Grubbs. I didn't realize they have MDIPA. Do you have to be there to sign?

[Anonymous]

I have MDIPA and used Freedom Pharmacy. One of the drugs that MDIPA did NOT cover was Endometrin. FYI: I had to pay out of pocket for that, and I think for a two week supply it was ~$150. It was for the end of my FET cycle, where I had been doing PIOs instead, which were covered minus the $7 copay.

[Anonymous]

MDIPA covered Endometrin for me this year. It was a $60 co-pay per refill, though, because it's not a generic.

Freedom also ships for free, overnight. I had a good experience with them. Yes, you have to be there to sign, but I wouldn't want my drugs to sit out on my porch anyway, especially the refrigerated stuff.

[Anonymous]

You don't have to be there to sign for Grubbs, but if you have something that needs to refrigerated, you probably want to be there. They do pack Meda to keep them cool, but it's been pretty hot out!