
Remicade is a biologic medication used to treat various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease. It's a costly treatment, with a price tag of around $60,000 per year.
Insurance companies often cover the cost of Remicade, but the specifics can vary greatly. Some plans may cover the medication with minimal out-of-pocket costs, while others may require a higher copayment or coinsurance.
If you're considering Remicade as a treatment option, it's essential to review your insurance plan's coverage and out-of-pocket costs. This will help you understand what you can expect to pay for the medication.
Insurance Coverage
To determine if your insurance covers Remicade, check your plan's formulary on your insurer's website. You can find this information by clicking the "Prescription Drugs" tab, then selecting "Prescription Drug Lists." If your website doesn't have a "Prescription Drugs" tab, you can search for "Blue Cross Blue Shield formularies [state name]" on Google.

Prior authorization may be required by your insurance company before they cover Remicade. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Remicade in regard to your treatment, and the insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication.
The price of your Remicade doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan, depending on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Remicade doses.
Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare may cover Remicade, but the cost depends on your specific plan.
You can contact your Medicare representative to find out your cost for Remicade.
Remicade's cost depends on the cost of the visit to your doctor to receive doses of the drug.
Medicare Part B covers the cost of some drugs given in a healthcare setting.
You receive Remicade doses at your doctor's office or an infusion center.
You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist about Medicare coverage for Remicade.
Current Plan Coverage?

Your insurance plan may cover Remicade, but it's essential to check the details. You can find the information in your plan's formulary, usually on your insurance company's website.
To check your BCBS plan, go to your BCBS licensee's website, click on the "Prescription Drugs" tab, and select "Prescription Drug Lists." You can also search for "Blue Cross Blue Shield formularies [state name]" on Google or call your BCBS company directly.
If you have insurance, your company may require prior authorization for Remicade, which means discussing the medication with your doctor and the insurance company before starting treatment.
Remicade's cost may be billed through your medical coverage, depending on your specific insurance plan and where you receive the infusions. You can contact your doctor or insurance provider for more information on this process.
Medicare coverage for Remicade varies depending on your specific plan, but some Medicare Part B plans cover the cost of the drug given in a healthcare setting. You can contact your Medicare representative or ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Some insurance plans, like the one mentioned, cover 100% of the Remicade costs within their prescription plan, meaning no expenses are passed on to you.
Generic or Biosimilar

Remicade is a brand-name medication with no generic version available.
Remicade contains the active drug ingredient infliximab.
The FDA has approved four biosimilar versions of Remicade: Avsola, Inflectra, Ixifi, and Renflexis.
Biosimilars are based on biologic medications, which are created from parts of living organisms.
Generics, on the other hand, are based on regular drugs made from chemicals.
Biosimilars and generics tend to cost less than brand-name medications.
Treatment and Options
Remicade is a medication used to treat various autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. It's administered through an IV infusion, typically every 8 weeks.
Some insurance companies cover Remicade, but the specifics can vary. For example, Medicare Part D covers Remicade, but it's not always included in the plan's formulary.
Patients who are eligible for coverage may need to pay a copayment or coinsurance for each infusion. The out-of-pocket cost can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year, depending on the insurance plan and the patient's deductible.
What About Biosimilars?

Remicade biosimilars are an equally good alternative for treating conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. They work the same way as the brand-name medication.
Inflectra, Avsola, or Renflexis are examples of Remicade biosimilars that might be covered by your insurance provider. Some insurance plans might prefer these biosimilars over the brand-name drug.
Biosimilar drugs are similar to generic drugs in that they're often cheaper than their reference medications. This can make them a more affordable option for people with certain health conditions.
If your BCBS plan lists Remicade as a nonpreferred drug, it may provide better coverage for a Remicade biosimilar. This means you could get the same treatment for significantly less money.
Drug Class
Remicade belongs to a drug class called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers. This class of drugs works by targeting a specific protein that causes inflammation in the body.
Remicade is a biologic drug, meaning it's made from parts of living organisms. This is in contrast to traditional medications that are synthesized in a lab.
A biologic drug like Remicade can be more effective for certain conditions, but it may also have more side effects.
Verification and Cost
You can find out if your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan covers Remicade by checking your plan's formulary on your BCBS licensee's website.
The formulary is a list of drugs covered by your plan, which shows its cost-sharing policies for every covered medication.
Typically, you can find the formulary on your BCBS licensee's website by clicking the "Prescription Drugs" tab, then selecting "Prescription Drug Lists."
Some plans may keep their formularies in their "Resources" section instead, so be sure to check there too.
You can also search for "Blue Cross Blue Shield formularies [state name]" on Google to find the information.
Alternatively, you can call your BCBS company directly to get the information from a customer service representative.
The out-of-pocket costs you end up paying for Remicade depend on your particular plan's details, including its tier system.
In most cases, lower-tier drugs have fewer out-of-pocket costs, while higher-tier drugs come with higher copays and coinsurance.
Remicade is usually in one of the highest tiers due to its specialty status, which requires special handling or administration.
Effectiveness and Information

Remicade has been shown to be effective in treating various autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
In clinical trials, people with Crohn's disease who took Remicade experienced a significant reduction in symptoms, with 39-46% of adults and 60% of children achieving remission after 30 weeks of treatment.
Remicade's effectiveness can vary depending on factors such as the severity of symptoms, other health conditions, and treatment schedule. For example, children with Crohn's disease who took Remicade every 8 weeks experienced a higher rate of remission compared to those who took it every 12 weeks.
Here are some key statistics on Remicade's effectiveness:
- Crohn's disease: 39-46% of adults and 60% of children achieved remission after 30 weeks
- Ulcerative colitis: 26-37% of adults and 38% of children achieved remission after 30-54 weeks
- Rheumatoid arthritis: 26-31% of patients saw a 50% improvement in symptoms after 30 weeks
- Ankylosing spondylitis: 44% of patients saw a 50% improvement in symptoms after 24 weeks
- Psoriatic arthritis: 41% of patients saw a 50% improvement in symptoms after 6 months
- Plaque psoriasis: 80% of patients had no symptoms or minimal symptoms after 10 weeks
Effectiveness
Remicade has been shown to be effective in treating various conditions, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
In clinical trials, adults with Crohn's disease taking Remicade experienced a disease remission rate of 39-46% after 30 weeks. This is significantly higher than the 25% remission rate seen in those who received a placebo.

Remicade also showed impressive results in children with Crohn's disease, with 60% of those taking the drug every 8 weeks experiencing symptom remission after 30 weeks.
For ulcerative colitis, Remicade was effective in 26-37% of adults and 38% of children taking the drug every 8 weeks after 54 weeks.
In rheumatoid arthritis, Remicade improved symptoms by at least 50% in 26-31% of patients after 30 weeks, compared to 5% of those receiving a placebo.
Remicade also demonstrated significant effectiveness in ankylosing spondylitis, with 44% of patients experiencing symptom improvement by at least 50% after 24 weeks.
In plaque psoriasis, a remarkable 80% of patients taking Remicade had no symptoms or minimal symptoms after 10 weeks, compared to 4% of those receiving a placebo.
Here's a summary of the effectiveness of Remicade in various conditions:
Professional Information
As a healthcare professional, it's essential to have the latest information on treatments like Remicade. The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals, just like in Example 1.

Remicade, also known as infliximab, is a biologic medication used to treat various autoimmune diseases. It works by blocking the action of a protein called tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or TNF-alpha.
Remicade is administered intravenously, typically over a period of two to three hours. This is similar to the professional information provided for clinicians in Example 1.
The dosage of Remicade depends on the specific disease being treated and the patient's weight. For example, the recommended dose for rheumatoid arthritis is 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
Remicade is usually given every 4 to 8 weeks, and the treatment is often continued for several months or even years.
Sources
- https://www.singlecare.com/blog/does-blue-cross-blue-shield-cover-remicade/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-remicade-cost
- https://clearhealthcosts.com/blog/2019/03/paying-for-remicade-the-cost-of-crohns-disease/
- https://www.emedicinehealth.com/remicade_for_rheumatoid_arthritis_treatment/article_em.htm
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/remicade
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