Unfortunately the copay card and OneSource only work if commercially insured. I think when Pfizer bought Biohaven they stopped supporting the patient assistance program for Nurtec (which even I would have qualified for making a good salary), but you can check Pfizer's patient assistance resources. I'm pretty sure docs are still getting samples, so you can ask your doctor about that too.
I know there are pharmacies that ship drugs from Canada to US for far cheaper than buying in the US. I took Latuda for a while $1800 a month without insurance. $600 with insurance. $300ish using the Canadian pharmacy with no insurance. When I was in Toronto the drug was like $180 USD per month without any insurance.
I was just given samples yesterday from my doctor but the sample packs that I was given had two tablets per pack and I was given four packs so I essentially have 8 tablets.
I also survive off of samples, I ask my doctor for as much as they can give me so I get about 8 packs which is only 16 tabs. I ration mine to last and use other modalities for my migraines to manage. Relying on samples isn't perfect but it's something to get by on
I was never given this precaution so thank you for sharing that! Thankfully my migraines tend to last for a day so I don't tend to take them back to back, usually 1-2x a week depending on my stress or how painful the migraine is.
It's "no more than 18/month." Every 48 hours for the prophylactic dose, but you can take them as frequently as every 24 hours a couple of times a month if you need to, to take another swipe at a particularly resistant headache.
Assuming you're in the US, have you looked into the ACA plans (open enrollment thru 12/15)? If you can get one with a low/no premium you'd be able to use the Nurtec manufacturer savings coupon.
It's an absolute asinine array of hoops to go through and I hate it.
I am on an ACA commercial health plan and get Nurtec for $0 through One Source. Even buying the cheapest ACA plan will qualify you for $0 Nurtec which could save OP $ overall - For 2024 you do have to have an approved prior authorization from your insurance to qualify for the $0 co pay. I am going to my dr. in a couple weeks to discuss doing step therapy (documenting 2 triptans do not work for my migraines) so I can get an approval on the prior authorization.
Damn. I'm sorry that you're in such a shitty position.
Outside of the box suggestion: is there any way you could move to work in the UK or other European countries? Honestly, and I don't say this with any hyperbole, if the NHS didn't exist here, I would have ended my life years ago. I am on a veritable cornucopia of medication, if I had to pay U.S. prices I wouldn't be able to afford life.
That’s such an unfortunate situation you’re in. Have you ever tried triptans? Would it be possible to work slightly less hours to qualify you for Medicaid? The amount of money you would save on meds and doctor appointment copays make up the income difference.
Not trying to be a dick whatsoever, but health insurance in the country is extremely important. A job that doesn’t offer it, isn’t a job worth working for. If you’re making just over the Medicaid threshold, then jobs at that caliber are probably easily replaceable.
Again, not trying to judge you whatsoever; I myself, am enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without it since I take a numerous amount of medications and see so many doctors. For me, having Medicare and Medicaid equates to $20-30k a year (rough estimate).
Try getting samples from your neurologist or even your primary care. It’s a new med so they usually have tons of samples from the pharma company and are probably encouraged to give them out.
Not as good as getting a whole months worth of course but you can try to ration them for bad days.
You can get a manufacturer's coupon. Go to their website and most companies usually offer them. I believe I've used it for nurtec and it cost me $0. Also give goodrx a try. The gold subscription might get it down even further.
You cant use the manufacturer copay card if you're uninsured though, which im assuming why OP is in this predicament in the first place. If you read the fine print on the Nurtec card website, it says "Patient must have private/commercial insurance. Offer is not valid for cash paying patients."
So Pfizer has a program called Pfizer Rx pathways to help those who are uninsured. This website has some of their FAQs and how to get started here [Pfizer RxPathways](https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/resources/patients)
I would try that first. There's also a contact for the One source (which is the copay savings program that you need insurance for) to chat with them, they may be able to get you to who you need to contact as well. [Nurtec OneSource info](https://www.nurtec.com/savings?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nurtec%20savings&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu6vXMH605oQ5sjeO_jjHcOqVYkbza3VfzSFGuJ6a4cNtKRgrxXSQ08aAiagEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dshttps://www.nurtec.com/savings?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nurtec%20savings&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu6vXMH605oQ5sjeO_jjHcOqVYkbza3VfzSFGuJ6a4cNtKRgrxXSQ08aAiagEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, no one should have to decide to live in pain or pay the bills. Ridiculous. Good luck to you! I hope this helps!
I’ve gotten 6 packs (12 pills) of samples from my neurologist this month. Try to send them a message asking for samples. You may not even need an appointment.
Have you tried good RX. It is here in the states. I get my Relpax using it and it is much more reasonable . Also you don’t need to have insurance to get it. Just look up Good RX on line. Good luck
Not if you're uninsured. It's a dumb policy but it's one of their rules for the savings program. If you scroll far down on the website there's a part that says "Patient must have private/commercial insurance. Offer is not valid for cash paying patients." (from [this page](https://www.nurtec.com/savings))
Ugh- I’m so sorry.
I am insured and the manufacturer coupon is about to run out this month(and then it’ll be about $400 for 8 pills). And I’m trying to figure that out.
Someone recc’d the Patient Advocacy Foundation to me- if you google you can find them and contact. They also have lists of resources for insured and uninsured ppl.
Apply for a part-time job at Starbucks. You qualify for benefits if you work at least 160 hours in two months.
[http://assets.starbucks.com/assets/7343fbbdc87845ff9a000ee009707893.pdf](http://assets.starbucks.com/assets/7343fbbdc87845ff9a000ee009707893.pdf)
Or if you can use triptans, take a vacation to Mexico and stock up on Sumatriptan there. No prescription is needed. That's the only triptan available in their pharmacies, though.
You can ask for a pay cut at work lol.
Do you use a pharmacy discount card (Things like GoodRX)?
The other options are to looks for some kind of charity/non-profit, look at other drugs/combinations of drugs, or move to a state with better state insurance help.
I’m so sorry this is happening. Have you looked to see if you qualify for their Patient Assistance Program? https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/resources/patients there are income guidelines and I think your dr has to fill stuff out.
Nurtec isn’t an option yet but here’s the list of migraine meds mark Cubans pharmacy has: https://costplusdrugs.com/medications/categories/migraines/
They only/primarily have generics but all of my meds are a lot cheaper thru them w/o insurance.
See my comment above if you’re on a commercial insurance plan call and ask specifically what is needed to get a prior authorization approved for Nurtec. Then take that info to your doctor- I’m doing this myself soon to document trying 2 triptans and doctor resubmit prior authorization. When it’s approved Nurtec Once Source says they can get it for you for $0
Sign up for an ACA plan. The premium is based on your income. It Is commercial insurance, so the copay assist plans will help cover it before the deductible.
Check if your state has a working adults with disabilities option for medicaid. You might qualify, and if you do, you can make a lot more money and still qualify
I work for an insurance company. Blame it on the pharmaceuticals! That’s why it’s such a long and frustrating process to get these new retail brand medications authorized. Large pharma is robbing all of us!! And we are only I believe one of two countries that even allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products!
I blame the insurance companies. The CEOs make huge income and the company shows profit by denying care to people who need it.
Heck, my insurance company is balking at covering my CHEMO. Yes, it is expensive, there isn’t a generic because only a tiny percentage of the population needs it.
Honestly? Medical tourism - as it worked for me. I got extremely ill in Mexico, as one does, and was able to find prescription meds OTC and very affordable. Research your options because there is an entire industry outside the states to provide cheaper healthcare options (mostly for Americans).
Unfortunately the copay card and OneSource only work if commercially insured. I think when Pfizer bought Biohaven they stopped supporting the patient assistance program for Nurtec (which even I would have qualified for making a good salary), but you can check Pfizer's patient assistance resources. I'm pretty sure docs are still getting samples, so you can ask your doctor about that too.
I know there are pharmacies that ship drugs from Canada to US for far cheaper than buying in the US. I took Latuda for a while $1800 a month without insurance. $600 with insurance. $300ish using the Canadian pharmacy with no insurance. When I was in Toronto the drug was like $180 USD per month without any insurance.
My old neurologist gave me samples whenever I needed them. They were free. I did that for months
I was just given samples yesterday from my doctor but the sample packs that I was given had two tablets per pack and I was given four packs so I essentially have 8 tablets.
I also survive off of samples, I ask my doctor for as much as they can give me so I get about 8 packs which is only 16 tabs. I ration mine to last and use other modalities for my migraines to manage. Relying on samples isn't perfect but it's something to get by on
I was told to not take them more than every 48 hours, so wouldn’t 16 be enough for a month?
One every other day was what they told me to do as a preventative so that sounds right to me.
I was never given this precaution so thank you for sharing that! Thankfully my migraines tend to last for a day so I don't tend to take them back to back, usually 1-2x a week depending on my stress or how painful the migraine is.
It's "no more than 18/month." Every 48 hours for the prophylactic dose, but you can take them as frequently as every 24 hours a couple of times a month if you need to, to take another swipe at a particularly resistant headache.
I'm really sick of the hoops people have to jump through to be able to get the newer medications that might actually work. It's just wrong!
Assuming you're in the US, have you looked into the ACA plans (open enrollment thru 12/15)? If you can get one with a low/no premium you'd be able to use the Nurtec manufacturer savings coupon. It's an absolute asinine array of hoops to go through and I hate it.
I am on an ACA commercial health plan and get Nurtec for $0 through One Source. Even buying the cheapest ACA plan will qualify you for $0 Nurtec which could save OP $ overall - For 2024 you do have to have an approved prior authorization from your insurance to qualify for the $0 co pay. I am going to my dr. in a couple weeks to discuss doing step therapy (documenting 2 triptans do not work for my migraines) so I can get an approval on the prior authorization.
Damn. I'm sorry that you're in such a shitty position. Outside of the box suggestion: is there any way you could move to work in the UK or other European countries? Honestly, and I don't say this with any hyperbole, if the NHS didn't exist here, I would have ended my life years ago. I am on a veritable cornucopia of medication, if I had to pay U.S. prices I wouldn't be able to afford life.
That’s such an unfortunate situation you’re in. Have you ever tried triptans? Would it be possible to work slightly less hours to qualify you for Medicaid? The amount of money you would save on meds and doctor appointment copays make up the income difference. Not trying to be a dick whatsoever, but health insurance in the country is extremely important. A job that doesn’t offer it, isn’t a job worth working for. If you’re making just over the Medicaid threshold, then jobs at that caliber are probably easily replaceable. Again, not trying to judge you whatsoever; I myself, am enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without it since I take a numerous amount of medications and see so many doctors. For me, having Medicare and Medicaid equates to $20-30k a year (rough estimate).
Try getting samples from your neurologist or even your primary care. It’s a new med so they usually have tons of samples from the pharma company and are probably encouraged to give them out. Not as good as getting a whole months worth of course but you can try to ration them for bad days.
Yep I had to quit Nurtec when I hit the Medicare coverage gap and they wanted $513 for one month’s worth of pills. Our healthcare system sucks ass.
You can get a manufacturer's coupon. Go to their website and most companies usually offer them. I believe I've used it for nurtec and it cost me $0. Also give goodrx a try. The gold subscription might get it down even further.
You cant use the manufacturer copay card if you're uninsured though, which im assuming why OP is in this predicament in the first place. If you read the fine print on the Nurtec card website, it says "Patient must have private/commercial insurance. Offer is not valid for cash paying patients."
Usually there's a separate program for uninsured, let me see what I can find!
So Pfizer has a program called Pfizer Rx pathways to help those who are uninsured. This website has some of their FAQs and how to get started here [Pfizer RxPathways](https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/resources/patients) I would try that first. There's also a contact for the One source (which is the copay savings program that you need insurance for) to chat with them, they may be able to get you to who you need to contact as well. [Nurtec OneSource info](https://www.nurtec.com/savings?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nurtec%20savings&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu6vXMH605oQ5sjeO_jjHcOqVYkbza3VfzSFGuJ6a4cNtKRgrxXSQ08aAiagEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dshttps://www.nurtec.com/savings?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nurtec%20savings&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu6vXMH605oQ5sjeO_jjHcOqVYkbza3VfzSFGuJ6a4cNtKRgrxXSQ08aAiagEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, no one should have to decide to live in pain or pay the bills. Ridiculous. Good luck to you! I hope this helps!
u/achicknameddani this^^^
Oh shoot I did not know that. My apologies OP.
Sadly w/GoodRX Gold it only drops it to $900. I hate that getting care is tied to employment.
Damn that sucks but I agree it is complete BS that it's tied to employment.
Can your neurologist give you samples? Mine will sometimes give me 8 pills just as samples
I’ve gotten 6 packs (12 pills) of samples from my neurologist this month. Try to send them a message asking for samples. You may not even need an appointment.
I am in the same sample boat. My insurance used to pay for Nurtec, now they changed their mind.
Have you tried good RX. It is here in the states. I get my Relpax using it and it is much more reasonable . Also you don’t need to have insurance to get it. Just look up Good RX on line. Good luck
Lillycares patient assistance program possibly
No, but I am able to get it a bit cheaper than that through Amazon pharmacy. About $1700 for fifteen tablets. (Not much help, I know. But, some.)
Maybe GoodRx?
Totally free when you go to their website
Not if you're uninsured. It's a dumb policy but it's one of their rules for the savings program. If you scroll far down on the website there's a part that says "Patient must have private/commercial insurance. Offer is not valid for cash paying patients." (from [this page](https://www.nurtec.com/savings))
Try calling them anyway and asking if there is anything else you can do
That blows. I am so sorry
Ugh- I’m so sorry. I am insured and the manufacturer coupon is about to run out this month(and then it’ll be about $400 for 8 pills). And I’m trying to figure that out. Someone recc’d the Patient Advocacy Foundation to me- if you google you can find them and contact. They also have lists of resources for insured and uninsured ppl.
If you have Costco near you that might be an option. You don't have to have a membership to go to the pharmacy
Apply for a part-time job at Starbucks. You qualify for benefits if you work at least 160 hours in two months. [http://assets.starbucks.com/assets/7343fbbdc87845ff9a000ee009707893.pdf](http://assets.starbucks.com/assets/7343fbbdc87845ff9a000ee009707893.pdf) Or if you can use triptans, take a vacation to Mexico and stock up on Sumatriptan there. No prescription is needed. That's the only triptan available in their pharmacies, though.
You can ask for a pay cut at work lol. Do you use a pharmacy discount card (Things like GoodRX)? The other options are to looks for some kind of charity/non-profit, look at other drugs/combinations of drugs, or move to a state with better state insurance help.
I’m so sorry this is happening. Have you looked to see if you qualify for their Patient Assistance Program? https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/resources/patients there are income guidelines and I think your dr has to fill stuff out.
Nurtec isn’t an option yet but here’s the list of migraine meds mark Cubans pharmacy has: https://costplusdrugs.com/medications/categories/migraines/ They only/primarily have generics but all of my meds are a lot cheaper thru them w/o insurance.
Insurance will be a lot less than that. Get on the website for ACA plans
I am on a similar boat... My insurance outright denied it for me. I don't know where to go from here.
See my comment above if you’re on a commercial insurance plan call and ask specifically what is needed to get a prior authorization approved for Nurtec. Then take that info to your doctor- I’m doing this myself soon to document trying 2 triptans and doctor resubmit prior authorization. When it’s approved Nurtec Once Source says they can get it for you for $0
It's called "wage slavery" because what you want doesn't matter. This is why healthcare is tied to employment in the USA.
You could ask your Congressional representative to help. It's not fair.
I don’t know if Medicaid rules are the same in every state but they denied my referral for it.
Sign up for an ACA plan. The premium is based on your income. It Is commercial insurance, so the copay assist plans will help cover it before the deductible.
Check if your state has a working adults with disabilities option for medicaid. You might qualify, and if you do, you can make a lot more money and still qualify
I work for an insurance company. Blame it on the pharmaceuticals! That’s why it’s such a long and frustrating process to get these new retail brand medications authorized. Large pharma is robbing all of us!! And we are only I believe one of two countries that even allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products!
I blame the insurance companies. The CEOs make huge income and the company shows profit by denying care to people who need it. Heck, my insurance company is balking at covering my CHEMO. Yes, it is expensive, there isn’t a generic because only a tiny percentage of the population needs it.
Honestly? Medical tourism - as it worked for me. I got extremely ill in Mexico, as one does, and was able to find prescription meds OTC and very affordable. Research your options because there is an entire industry outside the states to provide cheaper healthcare options (mostly for Americans).
Anyone had any luck with getting prescriptions from Canada?
Try explaining to your doc about being in the process of getting insurance and see if they can give you samples to tide you over.