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Mark Klapper wrote: > > Clozaril cannot be dispensed without a weekly blood test to monitor > possible adverse side effects. > > As of 2/1/98, Medicare will not cover any for an at-home health service > to draw blood for labwork. They will pay for a lab technician from a > doctor's office or a recognized medical laboratory to come out and draw > the blood. Unfortunately, I have yet to find anyone who fits this > description who will do this for less than 5 or 10 people at a time. > I've called the Clozaril Registry at Novartis, but they were no help. > > A weekly trip to the doctor for a CBC is probably not feasible, and the > out-of pocket (retail) cost for in-home health to do it would be $50-65 > per week. Supplemental insurance follows Medicare guidelines, so that > is not an option either. Any suggestions on how to get these labs done? > > I also wonder whether this is an issue worth appealing/protesting to > Medicare, as it makes things difficult for PWP and others with limited > mobility who require regular labs. What is the process for doing this? > > Mark Klapper Write your congressman and senators--IF enough people do, things change. You don't hae to had donated to him/her--They knkow that if you take time to write-or have it written you will arrange to vote some how.