BOOST advice please!

[anonymous]

Hi there,

It's been a long time since I've posted. I wanted to say a quick hello to everyone and also ask you a question.

My son w/CF keeps his weight up by drinking 2 Boost Plus drinks each day. As you know, this gets pricey. We're constantly looking for the best prices in town. If we can get them for around $1 - $1.50 a bottle, we usually buy the store out. As soon as we do this, that store hikes the prices up on Boost! Long story short, every store around here is now really expensive to get Boost from!

Does anyone know how I can get this cheaper?! Do I need to order it from somwhere? I've always had luck at Wal-Mart, but it's nearly $9 now for a 6 pack. We don't qualify for assitance so that's not an option. I just need ideas of less expensive ways to purhcase this.

Thanks in advance. I hope everyone is doing well and kids are staying healthy!

Carey
Mom to Liam with CF

 

[anonymous]

We had our daughter's CF doc write a letter of medical neccesity that our daughter needs Boost Plus for weight gain. We have a flexible spending account so the Boost is not taxed, hope this makes sense. You could try to get your insurance to cover it with the medical necesity letter, worth a try?

My daughter got sick of the Boost now anyway so we do our own high cal milk. Whole milk with a tablespoon of heavy cream, you could add ovaltine to it and it's pretty similar to boost.

Rebecca(mom to Sammy 8 no CF and Maggie 3 1/2 with CF)

 

[anonymous]

Thanks for your suggestions, Rebecca. I hadn't thought about asking my insurance before. Do you think insurances would cover this if it's OTC? Great idea on the whole milk. I've tried adding heavy cream before but I think I added too much because he tasted something was "different" right away. Unfortunately, he's terribly picky and can taste if anything is different at all. Maybe I could try adding it just a little at t time.....

Thanks again,

Carey

 

[coltsfan715]

Carey,

I am not sure if they still offer this program or not, but you could ask your son's doc about it at your next appointment. Also he would have to be on Ultrase MT -- enzymes to enroll in the program.

There is a free program through Scandipharm that they used to have. You filled out a form and sent in a receipt to show that you took Ultrase enzymes and they would provide ADEKs and also Scandi Shake mixes. They provided them free - you just had to show that you were getting Ultrase. I can't remember how often you have to send in receipts, but the doc or a nutritionist through your office should know if the program is still active and would know the details.

I loved the shake mixes as a kid and I know they helped me to gain weight. I kow it isn't Boost, but it is an alternative that may be worth trying if you haven't already and are capable of it. Like I said I don't know if the program is still around because it has been several years since I was involved with it.

Lindsey

Just wanted to add that the flavors of the shake mixes were Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate. My fav was always Strawberry.

 

[anonymous]

I just wanted to let you know that my kids are on creon and we send in our receipts each month that we purchased the creon and the program is called extra helpings. They send us a free case of nestle carnation instant breakfast we can even get the very high calorie one. They also send us vitamins to for free. IF you call the cf services pharmacy and ask for the person in charge of more extra helpings they would be able to help. The number is 1-800-541-4959. Ultrase also has a program my kids were are it last year but because of insurance we had to switch to creon. With the ultrase they send you adeks and scandacal or scandishakes. Also your cf center should have this information. They are the ones who told me about it. Hope this helps some.
Jeanine mom to Sydney 9 w/cf, Trey 5 w/cf and Abbey 2 w/out cf

 

[julie]

Carey, we finally got boost covered for Mark after fighting 2 years (7 appeals and 1 hearing before a federal judge) with Tricare.

What is your insurance? I can offer you some information and copies of letters that we used to fight our case.

It's not likely that your ins. will cover it immediately, but will probably deny it. But honestly, FIGHT for the coverage!'

Let me know if I can be of any help, divison902@verizon.net

 

[Kimmiek]

Yes, I don't know what insurance you have. But Mike's nutritionist actually ordered them and had them delivered for free to us. I don't know if your clinic has a Social Worker, but the one at ours is fantastic at helping with things such as this!
Also check with the CF foundation, I know they have helped us on several occasions with medications and such when Mike was without insurance.

Good Luck!

 

[anonymous]

Wow, I can't thank you all enough for your advice! I knew I'd get plenty of ideas here - I appreciate each of you very much!

Lindsey - I'll be sure and check out the Scandipharm programs. I had completely forgotten about those shakes. My son tried them years ago and didn't care for them, but it would definitely be worth trying again!

Jenine, thanks for the info. We're on Pancrecarb and I don't think they have any programs, but I'll check with our care center to see what they say. In the past, they've given us coupons and that always helps...

Julie, you're always so full of info - you need to write a book! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I'll look into our insurance (and no, I'm not afraid to fight!). I've got your email jotted down too - thanks so much. Oh my gosh, I had no idea you were pregnant with TRIPLETS!!! NO WAY! I'm so thrilled for you. Last I knew, you were pregnant via IVF, but triplets?! My sis-in-law had triplets 10 years ago. They are all three beautiful, thriving and healthy children!!! CONGRATS!

Kim, I'll ask our social worker about this - we love ours too. I didn't know the CF Foundation could provide support for such things, but I'll look into it.

Thanks to all again! I'll keep you posted!!!

Carey

 

[julie]

Thanks for the congrats Carey!

Keep me posted if you need any help, I'm happy to do so. I can scan and email or copy and snail mail stuff to you. If your ins. denies it, it may be for a reason totally different than ours (Tricare had specific guidelines for when the would cover nutritional supplements and mark "kind of" met them...) but I'm willing to help with what I've learned and been through, research I've pulled offline and EVEN some stuff that the CFF gave me.

Just let me know <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">