Last months news on VSL3 Patient Assistance Program

aguywithuc-
Thanks for posting.
My insurance does not cover "medical foods".
Might help if I meet the financial guidelines.

aguywithuc-

Thanks for posting. I printed a copy of that release. I am going to call them. If my hiney Doctor won't prescribe it, I know my regular Doctor will. Just hope I meet the guidlines.

ah this is so great! i just left a message on their machine. it's probably closed on sundays i'm assuming.

a 20 day supply of VSL DS costs me $186 so I have never bought it before. I just can't pay that amount every 20 days. it's absurd.

Heard back from my Gastro today, well actually his nurse. She called me back to ask me "the name of that pro biotic again". I said I was surprised she was not familiar with VSL#3 DS. She said she wasn't, but "Dr. C******* might be". She said she is "going to do a little research and speak with him to see if he'll prescribe it".

I find this a little disturbing. Would you if it was your Doctor?

If he won't prescribe it, I know my pcp will since we have already talked about it. However, I still think the Gastros should be familiar with it since all Dr's are supposed to keep up on the latest developments in their fields. 

Has anyone gotten through to NORD (which is the assistance program) to find out what income qualifies for assistance? I'm middle class and afraid I won't qualify since I never do for anything else.
My high deductible insurance means I'd have to have a really bad year healthwise to get any meds free.

bananagirl-what did you hear? I left a message on Monday but haven't connected with them yet.

thanks. They left a msg back for me today but no one was there when I called back.

I called the phone number listed in the article this morning. A woman returned my call. She asked me about my diagnosis (UC) and said that the program is limited to VSL#3DS. I explained that my insurance does not cover "medical foods".
Here are the steps in applying for the assistance program:

First, you have to have a prescription for VSL#3 DS from a doctor

The next step is to provide contact information so the application can be sent to you.
(The woman gave me her e-mail address so I can contact her when I have the scrip and send my basic info. She will then e-mail the app. to me)

Then I will have to fill out the application and provide whatever financial information and documentation required to qualify me for the program.

I was surprised and pleased at the prompt response. Hope at least some of us qualify.

balenogt91, why does your gi doctor have to fill out the form? my gi doesn't support probiotics so i got my pcp to prescribe them. do you think a pcp could fill the form out?

Got a call from my GI Dr's nurse yesterday. Not only is the Dr prescribing VSL#3 DS for me for 90 days with 4 refills (only $25 per 90 days with my insurance), but the VSL#3 rep is visiting my Dr's office next week to speak to the satff about VSL#3 and leave literature and samples for the patients. The nurse actually thanked me for making her aware of VSL#3.