Medicine free in-center, costs big bucks at home

[silverhead]

Sharon's PTH levels started climbing and the Doctor gave us about a months supply of Zemplar to control it, latest lab tests indicate it is working well for her. If she was doing in-center treatments it would be administered by the Nurses through the machine, and we of course cannot do the same with the NxStage. The costs for this would be covered by Medicare, but seeing as though she is home hemo, we have to pay $226.00 a month for the pills, this is bull....
Tom

[Adam_W]

I had this same problem when I started home hemo. I was on Zemplar in-centre, and when I started NxStage I had to switch to oral Zemplar, which at first was paid for by Medicare. A month or two later I found out Medicare would no longer pay for the oral Zemplar, and I would have to pay over $200 dollars for it. So my doctor switched me from Zemplar to Hectoral, and I haven't had any problems with Medicare paying for it.

Adam

[flip]

Part D (if you've got a good one) should cover it with a small co-pay. You might also try www.pparx.com

[cherpep]

I was warned about that when switching to home care.  So far, I havent' been prescribed anything other than my binders.  Here's hoping.....