Caphosol?

j3rey
j3rey Member Posts: 57
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Did anyone have insurance that actually covered Caphosol? We are getting no where with insurance (running in circles on the phone). They say they will cover it as a 'medical device' but no medical supply company will/can order it. I was told by EUSA Pharma (the makers of Caphosol) that my insurance was the ONLY insurance that didn't cover it. I am finding that hard to believe after seeing some posts here. We have Cigna. Then they told me I can order it from a pharmacy in Phoenix, AZ (Apothecary Shops)that will sell it for $500 instead of $800. After some research have found that this pharmacy chain is in partnership with EUSA. Very unsettling. Can others give input on whether their insurance covered and what insurance you have? Thanks so much.
Jen

Comments

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    No on Anthem Blue Cross
    My insurance didn't cover it. I got a prescription for it, but never used the prescription. After reading a number of posts on this board, I realized that about half the folks who were using it - felt that the simple rinse (One cup water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt) worked just as well. I used this simple rinse daily, and never had a problem with mouth sores. Also, it seemed to do a pretty good job cutting down the mouth mucous. (My treatment was 8 weeks radiation/3 rounds cisplatin chemo for base of tongue with mets to lymph nodes). Almost seven weeks out now, and mouth dry but normal. Never did have thrush either.

    Good luck with your research.

    Deb
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    D Lewis said:

    No on Anthem Blue Cross
    My insurance didn't cover it. I got a prescription for it, but never used the prescription. After reading a number of posts on this board, I realized that about half the folks who were using it - felt that the simple rinse (One cup water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt) worked just as well. I used this simple rinse daily, and never had a problem with mouth sores. Also, it seemed to do a pretty good job cutting down the mouth mucous. (My treatment was 8 weeks radiation/3 rounds cisplatin chemo for base of tongue with mets to lymph nodes). Almost seven weeks out now, and mouth dry but normal. Never did have thrush either.

    Good luck with your research.

    Deb

    Yes
    Hi Jen,

    I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and they covered it. Got it at Walgreen's. Very very expensive stuff. Walgreen's had to order it and they told me it cost $1900.00. I paid $50.00. As for it working, it did great for me, but I like Deb and others also used the baking soda and salt. Good luck with your insurance.

    Best,
    Steve
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    D Lewis said:

    No on Anthem Blue Cross
    My insurance didn't cover it. I got a prescription for it, but never used the prescription. After reading a number of posts on this board, I realized that about half the folks who were using it - felt that the simple rinse (One cup water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt) worked just as well. I used this simple rinse daily, and never had a problem with mouth sores. Also, it seemed to do a pretty good job cutting down the mouth mucous. (My treatment was 8 weeks radiation/3 rounds cisplatin chemo for base of tongue with mets to lymph nodes). Almost seven weeks out now, and mouth dry but normal. Never did have thrush either.

    Good luck with your research.

    Deb

    Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
    Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda was the rinse they had me to use several times daily....
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    D Lewis said:

    No on Anthem Blue Cross
    My insurance didn't cover it. I got a prescription for it, but never used the prescription. After reading a number of posts on this board, I realized that about half the folks who were using it - felt that the simple rinse (One cup water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt) worked just as well. I used this simple rinse daily, and never had a problem with mouth sores. Also, it seemed to do a pretty good job cutting down the mouth mucous. (My treatment was 8 weeks radiation/3 rounds cisplatin chemo for base of tongue with mets to lymph nodes). Almost seven weeks out now, and mouth dry but normal. Never did have thrush either.

    Good luck with your research.

    Deb

    Mine covered all but $50.
    I

    Mine covered all but $50.
    I have 2 boxes, can they be shipped (as is it legal) and would you be interested in paying for shipping..my budget is kind of tight.
    Thanks
    Stacey
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    stevenl said:

    Yes
    Hi Jen,

    I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and they covered it. Got it at Walgreen's. Very very expensive stuff. Walgreen's had to order it and they told me it cost $1900.00. I paid $50.00. As for it working, it did great for me, but I like Deb and others also used the baking soda and salt. Good luck with your insurance.

    Best,
    Steve

    Good Grief !!
    1,900.00 bucks ??? Heck, I've got two full boxes of Caposol in the lower storage area in one of the bathrooms. Given to me during treatment by my chemo doc's nurse practitioner. Think I may have used it (poured those two vials together and swished) maybe two times. I don't think it did as well as baking soda and salt. I may have to see if somebody needs it more than me, or maybe have a garage/yard sale :).

    Larry
  • j3rey
    j3rey Member Posts: 57
    staceya said:

    Mine covered all but $50.
    I

    Mine covered all but $50.
    I have 2 boxes, can they be shipped (as is it legal) and would you be interested in paying for shipping..my budget is kind of tight.
    Thanks
    Stacey

    Yes!
    I would be interested in your boxes and would be happy to pay shipping. PM me if you are interested.
    Thanks.
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    j3rey said:

    Yes!
    I would be interested in your boxes and would be happy to pay shipping. PM me if you are interested.
    Thanks.

    Extra Capohsol
    Jen or anyone else out there, I've got 4 boxes sitting on my shelf that I won't use. Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem paid for mine. I was supposed to get 3 boxes and they gave me 6. Cost me $30. I used two boxes right at the end of treatment. I had big mucus/phelgm issue. It got caught in back of throat and gagged me constantly. Capohsol was the only thing that worked. But for everyday use I liked the baking soda/salt wash, so here I sit with 4 boxes. If anyone wants it email me.

    Greg
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    Greg53 said:

    Extra Capohsol
    Jen or anyone else out there, I've got 4 boxes sitting on my shelf that I won't use. Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem paid for mine. I was supposed to get 3 boxes and they gave me 6. Cost me $30. I used two boxes right at the end of treatment. I had big mucus/phelgm issue. It got caught in back of throat and gagged me constantly. Capohsol was the only thing that worked. But for everyday use I liked the baking soda/salt wash, so here I sit with 4 boxes. If anyone wants it email me.

    Greg

    The caphosol works great
    The caphosol works great while you can't taste anything...BUT as soon as you can taste it..YUCK!! (well yuck for me anyway..most of you are braver souls than I)
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    staceya said:

    Mine covered all but $50.
    I

    Mine covered all but $50.
    I have 2 boxes, can they be shipped (as is it legal) and would you be interested in paying for shipping..my budget is kind of tight.
    Thanks
    Stacey

    Would they be any good if
    Would they be any good if they got too hot during transport?
    It sure would be nice if there was an easy way to share our supplies and stuff.
    Head and Neck cancer supply swap!
  • CLRRN
    CLRRN Member Posts: 127
    Caphasol
    I have United Health care for my insurance and all I pay is $50.00 guess I will quit complaining about what they cover and don't cover based on what I'm reading
  • CLRRN said:

    Caphasol
    I have United Health care for my insurance and all I pay is $50.00 guess I will quit complaining about what they cover and don't cover based on what I'm reading

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Starmade711
    Starmade711 Member Posts: 4
    Greg53 said:

    Extra Capohsol
    Jen or anyone else out there, I've got 4 boxes sitting on my shelf that I won't use. Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem paid for mine. I was supposed to get 3 boxes and they gave me 6. Cost me $30. I used two boxes right at the end of treatment. I had big mucus/phelgm issue. It got caught in back of throat and gagged me constantly. Capohsol was the only thing that worked. But for everyday use I liked the baking soda/salt wash, so here I sit with 4 boxes. If anyone wants it email me.

    Greg

    Extra Caphasol
    Hi, My name is Cindy and I sit here desparate trying to pay for my mother's Caphasol. I've tried several funding sources, the manufacturer and have paid for some of it myself but she swears by it and has been using it 4times a day so she's going through it very quickly. I'm trying to find other avenues and I came across your posting. Any chance you still have extra Capahsol and if so, r u willing to ship it if I pay the costs. And is there a cost for the meds?
  • Starmade711
    Starmade711 Member Posts: 4

    Good Grief !!
    1,900.00 bucks ??? Heck, I've got two full boxes of Caposol in the lower storage area in one of the bathrooms. Given to me during treatment by my chemo doc's nurse practitioner. Think I may have used it (poured those two vials together and swished) maybe two times. I don't think it did as well as baking soda and salt. I may have to see if somebody needs it more than me, or maybe have a garage/yard sale :).

    Larry

    Larry, please let me know if
    Larry, please let me know if these two boxesd are still available and if your willing to ship at my cost
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    Caphosol
    My insurance is BCBC of Tennessee/Cobra. It's paying for it. My radiation nurse had at least a 30 day supply shipped right to my house. It hasn't arrived yet as I haven't started radiation and won't until my platelets come up enough for the PEG surgery. I met my deductible so long ago that I haven't paid for anything in almost a year. It is getting ready to reset though. I will be trying the Caphosol but if I find that the baking soda mix works better for me I would be happy to mail the extra Caphosol out to someone else to use. I'll check back after the trial.

    Bob
  • Starmade711
    Starmade711 Member Posts: 4

    Caphosol
    My insurance is BCBC of Tennessee/Cobra. It's paying for it. My radiation nurse had at least a 30 day supply shipped right to my house. It hasn't arrived yet as I haven't started radiation and won't until my platelets come up enough for the PEG surgery. I met my deductible so long ago that I haven't paid for anything in almost a year. It is getting ready to reset though. I will be trying the Caphosol but if I find that the baking soda mix works better for me I would be happy to mail the extra Caphosol out to someone else to use. I'll check back after the trial.

    Bob

    Caphosol
    Bob, I would be interested if you wanted to donate unused Caphosol. My mom is on week3 day 5 of radiation and she's experiencing severe mouth sores. Caphosol helps and we've been trying to pay out of pocket, but the cost is exorbitant. I've pursued so many funding sources to no avail and I am desparate so just let me know, I'll pay for shipping.

    BTW she tried the rinse that everyone keeps suggesting but the salt burned her sores, any other suggestions?
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    CAPHASOL
    My insurance pays for it but I will most likely not order any more as I do not think it does anything for me. Are you talking about the mouthwash that you mix the blue and clear plastic bottles together?

    I am finding simillar relief with Baking Soda and salt mixed in some warm water. I have horrible sores on the Right side of my Tongue and Right side of my mouth near where you Wisdom Teeth are.

    BEST!!!

    Mike
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
    Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda was the rinse they had me to use several times daily....

    BAKING SODA AND PEROXIDE
    I have been doing the Baking Soda and Salt with warm water but my mouth sores are still there and very painfull.

    Would the Peroxide work better?

    I assume this is a swish and spit??

    What is the ratio of Soda and Peroxide?

    Mike
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691

    Caphosol
    Bob, I would be interested if you wanted to donate unused Caphosol. My mom is on week3 day 5 of radiation and she's experiencing severe mouth sores. Caphosol helps and we've been trying to pay out of pocket, but the cost is exorbitant. I've pursued so many funding sources to no avail and I am desparate so just let me know, I'll pay for shipping.

    BTW she tried the rinse that everyone keeps suggesting but the salt burned her sores, any other suggestions?

    Sure
    Starmade, I'll get back to you after I try it out. I'm a bit more natural and alternative than most so most likely I'll stick with the baking soda and peroxide. I'd be happy to donate anything I don't use. Probably about a week or so until I know. My best to you and your mom. Have you tried the rinse without the salt?

    Bob
  • Starmade711
    Starmade711 Member Posts: 4

    Sure
    Starmade, I'll get back to you after I try it out. I'm a bit more natural and alternative than most so most likely I'll stick with the baking soda and peroxide. I'd be happy to donate anything I don't use. Probably about a week or so until I know. My best to you and your mom. Have you tried the rinse without the salt?

    Bob

    Thanks so much Bob, although
    Thanks so much Bob, although I hope it works for you too. She did actually try the suggested rinse but it burned her sores and was painful for her. I tried the rinse without the salt but apparently wasn't as effective as Caphosol as reported by her. :( Thank you so much!

    Cindy