Reply #89: I'm so sorry! My dad had Macular Degeneration and lost sight in one eye.

[in_cog_ni_to]

I use to fit low vision aids as an Optician, so I know exactly what you're going through. I wish you all the best. Here's something that may help you with the outrageous Lucentis Bills. From Lucentis web site:

What if You Can't Pay for LUCENTIS

Are you one of the millions of people in this country who don't have a health care plan? Has your health care plan turned down paying for LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection)? This doesn't mean you have to give up on your LUCENTIS treatment. The Genentech® Access to Care Foundation, or GATCF, helps people who don't have a health care plan. It can also help people whose plans have turned them down for LUCENTIS treatment. If you qualify, you may apply to GATCF for help. If you are accepted, you might get your LUCENTIS for free.

LUCENTIS Access Solutions has now made it easier than ever to find out if you qualify. Here is what GATCF wants to learn before it can find help for you:

Are you uninsured? If so, it could be because you have no health care plan. It can also be because your health care plan has said it won't pay for LUCENTIS and your appeal was turned down. Maybe you have reached your maximum lifetime limit on benefits.
Is your household's adjusted gross income $100,000 or less per year?
Does your doctor say you meet the medical needs set by the GATCF advisors?

If you answered YES to those questions, you probably qualify. But first, your doctor's office checks to see if you qualify for a public health care program, such as Medicaid. If you do, they can help you get in touch with your state's Medicaid office. If not, they can help you apply for help with GATCF.

What do you need to do next? You and your doctor's office need to file some forms with LUCENTIS® Access Solutions. Once the forms are filed with GATCF, your doctor's office can confirm by phone whether you qualify. If so, your doctor can get an up front supply of LUCENTIS for your treatment. This happens within 48 hours in most cases.

Your form is called the "Patient Authorization and Notice of Release of Information" (or PAN) form, which you need to sign and date. The PAN lets GATCF and LUCENTIS Access Solutions look at your health records. They need to do this only so they can help you prove you need LUCENTIS. These records are looked at only to make sure you qualify.

Your doctor has to fill out and sign a form as well. This is called the "Statement of Medical Necessity" (or SMN) form. The SMN is sent to GATCF along with your PAN.<snip>

http://www.genentechaccesssolutions.com/portal/site/AS/menuitem.7ef3b8542d7c63460313edacd79c23a0/?vgnextoid=09f78e4231c17210VgnVCM1000007dc9320aRCRD