In Mount Laurel, N.J., the CVS drugstore told my father, R. Sullivan, (90years old) that his insurance, Medicare and Medigap, didn't cover his prescription of Axona (30 day supply). He had to pay $102+, because they said this new treatment was considered a food supplement. The box does says " Medical Food" but this is not an 'over-the-counter' commodity like vitamins or Ensure. If it is necessary to have a prescription from a physician to get this "ketone" based aid for Alzheimer's, why isn't it covered by insurance.
We have the same situation with Foltx...Which costs about $50/month. It's a B vitamin and Folic Acid, and his neurologist insists on it..has to be bought with a prescription...but is not considered a drug. Go figure!
Some things just aren't covered by insurance. Sid has a prescription for Metanx - it is a high potency vitamin B complex that is so HIGH POTENCY that it cannot be obtained over the counter. It is for his Alzheimer's Disease. Insurance will not, no way, under no circumstances, cover it. Luckily, it's about $30 a month. If it was one of the $100 and up medications, he'd have to go without it.
We're one of the lucky ones whose insurance covers Axona and we still believe it does help. Someone said on another thread that after a letter from their doctor to the insurance company explaining what Axona is and how it helps, their insurance company did authorize coverage for it. I think we would almost do without food to get something that may help with AD, though. Joan, is Metanx something new for AD? Just wondering if I should ask DH's doctor about a prescription for it.
Joan, I bet your Metanx is about the same as Foltx which was prescribed for DH's AD. It's just that all of our drugs add up like crazy. Just shelled out almost $800 for our shared cost of the refills. sigh. (For both of us!)
I just looked up Foltx and it says VITAMIN B - 12 / FOLIC ACID / VITAMIN B - 6. Metanx says -This combination of vitamins provides vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and the active form of folic acid.
So yes, I guess they are about the same. Maybe you could ask your neurologist to prescribe Metanx. It's cheaper.
Dazed,
Dr. S. put Sid on Metanx right away because the blood tests showed diminished vitamin B's. Supposedly lower levels of the B vitamins negatively affect memory. I think it's pretty standard for most AD patients to be on a high level of vitamin B complex. It is with out doctor. Don't know about others.
I will try. Our doctor is soooooooo fixed on what SHE wants.. and is not flexible at all. I've mentioned in other posts that I think she is so into her " A.D.research", she's forgetting about the individual that I call my husband. Her Clincial Psychologist is wonderful...beyond that!! Incredible!!! When I go with DH to Neurologist's office for a check up, she comes in like a barking order Marine Sargent! I am close to the point of telling her Sayonara.... I was waiting to sell the house, and move away with no hard feelings. - But it may happen before that. Can you believe she squints her eyes at me if I can't respond to her questions quickly enough...and then she'll question my answers. I don't need her in MY life...and from what I read, all other Neurologists prescribe Aracept, Namenda and Seroquel...so what makes her better than any other. How could I HURT my Stage 6+ husband if I changed to one who does not office in an Ivory Tower.
Swarfmaker, many thanks for taking the trouble to summarize this information. Now that I have got hold of both products I was about to go back and reread the whole coconut oil etc. threads, but you have put it in a very convenient nutshell. I'm glad for the advice about melting the oils together. My DH will not admit anything is the matter with him and resents any medicine he has to take, so I have to get the oils into food without his noticing. It's been hard to build the dosage up high enough. I have not noticed any effect as yet (perhaps for that reason). The only product available from my local supermarket (and quite reasonably priced) is "Creamed coconut." It's like a hard cake of shortening. Any information on its effectivity?