I am considering joining an HMO [perhaps First Seniority --- Tufts, or
Harvard Secure Horizons]. Does anyone have any experience with either of
them in Mass. while on a vent?
Also during my recent hospitalization for pseudomonas and serratia, I was
given Tobi, a newly approved antibiotic for aerosol tobramycin. It is
meant for cystic fibrosis [ which I don't have] and approved by the FDA
in Dec.97. It worked so well that I went from being short of breath
walking only a few steps to walking laps in the hall in only 3 days. My
vent pressures went down 15 points too. Unfortunately it is so
expensive. It is used 28 days on and 28 days off to maintain. At the
hospital it was $125. a dose twice a day. Now I am trying to find some
way to pay for this at home with no prescription coverage. I don't
qualify for Medicaid, but even if I gave up my apartment and lived on a
park bench [with a plug for the vent] I still could not afford it. It
was thought that Medicare might pay it but then the FDA has approved it
for cystic fibrosis. Any suggestions??????? We have contacted our local
congressman for his help in getting through the FDA red tape.
Thanks for listening and any suggestions you can come up with, Gail