SHBP Vitamins Cigna Covers!!!

Ok, I just got off the phone w/ customer service and here's the scoop. They will cover the following if you have a script...

Folic Acid Preperations
Vit D Preperations
Vit K Preperations
Injectables
B12 Nasal spray
Iron

So,  considering they will cover the vit D and K, I am wondering if it will be more cost efective to get a script than to buy the ADEK?  I am still researching.

I called a local compouning pharmacy... they will make the pills for you as a capsule or sublingual.  Compounding meds are covered by Cigna.  Since, I can't take capsules and the liquid vitamins aren't absorbed well by DS'ers, I am checking to see if they can make it for me.

In case anybody is wondering why go through the effort.. once shbp members reach the $2000 out of pocket max everything is $0 FREE!  So, if I can get script for this stuff and get Cigna to cover it, I won't have to pay for it at least through December.

The only thing I haven't had luck with is the vit A and E. If they cover the rest, it may be less expensive to get those otc instead of the ADEK multi.  I know vit E is relatively inexpensive otc.

I wonder if they will cover a pre-natal if you aren't pregnant? This could replace a multi vitamin???  Does a pre-natal come in a liquid or chewable?


Everybody please share what you are getting covered with the rest of the group, so we will all be on the same page.  I will follow up with you guys to let you know what the compounding pharmacy can make for us.

I am determined not to have to go broke buying vitamins and protein!!!

LaShelle,
Do you have a date yet or are you still waiting on your doctor's office?  Just wanted to check on you.
Linda

What exactly do you ask for prescriptions for? I am on way to my doctor now.

Don't quote me on this, I don't know for sure...but prescription Vit D would be for like 50,000 I.U.  Unless you are extremely deficient, you only need 1000-2000 units a day for a supplement.  Therefore, you wouldn't get a script.

I was Vitamin D deficient BEFORE surgery and only take the over-the-counter 2000 I.U. daily.

And who is going broke buying vitamins?  I take a plain children's chewable (bought from BJ's or Costco), a chewable calcium (usually from WalMart with a $3.00 coupon of the big bottle), over the counter Vit D costs a few bucks.  I know with DS, you need some other vitamins.

My surgeon's big thing is not to spend the money on expensive vitamins.  I went to a support group meeting at Northside last week.  The guest speakers were there to show us a body shaper (a very expensive one at that).  Well, that's what they said.  Then they proceeded to try and sell everybody on these expensive products related to a MLM.  When the surgeons (Dr. Daly & Dr. Macik) came into the meeting someone asked them about the expensive stuff these people were trying to sell and they both rolled their eyes and said "not necessary".

I won't give my opinions on the presentation as a whole as 2 of the 3 people there for the presentation were WLS (DS) patients and you never know who's reading these boards.

since I am having DS I have to take mega doses of vitamins