Revlimid/Transfusion/Medicare questions

[czaring]

Does anybody know if a patient MUST be Tx dependent in order to be prescribed Revlimid? Is the Doc free to prescribe if he sees a patient is heading toward transfusion dependency – but has not yet received any?

[czaring]

I’m still hoping that somebody may know this answer …. and also curious about medicare coverage of Revlimid.

[billboy]

Hi Czaring,

Sorry I don’t know specifically the answers to your questions. However, I think the trials were on MDS patients who were transfusion dependent. That doesn’t preclude your doctor from prescribing it as an off label usage. The big problem would be in getting Medicare to cover the drug in such a situation. I took Revlimid when transfusion dependent, but was on a private insurance plan. If the patient here, is on Medicare Part D they’d quickly move through the donut-hole to where Medicare would pay 95% – if it was covered. Medicare probably stands to reduce it’s costs by paying for Revlimid if transfusions are reduced or eliminated for a time.

Then too, your doctor would have to be comfortable with the risk/benefit tradeoff. No doubt you are familiar with the side effects of Revlimid provided by the manufacturer. You might want to have a look at the following article in the same regard although directed at multiple myeloma patients.

Again wish I could be more definitive.

Bill F

[billboy]

Oops,

Here’s the article I forgot to include in my above post:

http://clltopics.org/Chemo/Revlimid.htm

Bill F

[Kirby]

Hi All,
I’ve been on Revlimid for 18 months, never transfusion dependent. I think the Dr. can prescribe it if you have MDS diagnosis.
Medicare part D covers mine, but at a high cost.
$4088 the first month, then approx $400/month after that.
Side effects of Revlimid have been minimal in my case.

[Author]

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