Here is some information for MS patients on getting financial assistance with the expense of Tysabri, and for those who want to make a tax deductible donation to assist MS patients.

For MS patients, you must first qualify for Tysabri and get enrolled in the TOUCH program through a TOUCH-enrolled neurologist. If you do not have a TOUCH-enrolled neurologist, within the next few weeks Biogen's MS ActiveSource program (1-800-456-2255) will be set up to give you several nearby TOUCH-enrolled neurologists organized by ZIP Code. Once you have been examined by a TOUCH-enrolled neurologist, obtained your required baseline MRI and have been enrolled in the TOUCH program, you will be assigned a Case Manager by Biogen through their MS ActiveSource program. The Case Manager will assist you and your neurologist with insurance reimbursement issues, including insurance co-payment assistance or with getting free Tysabri if you do not have insurance.

Co-payment Assistance:

While MS Patients For Choice is getting itself organized as a 501(c)(3), there is an existing organization that can assist MS patients who need assistance with Tysabri co-payments, the National Organization for Rare Diseases.

Here is the contact information:

NORD MS Premium /Co-Payment Assistance Program
Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis
Contact: 1-800-634-7207

NORD MS Medicare Co-Payment Assistance Program
Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Contact: 1-866-924-0100

Free Tysabri for the Uninsured and Under Insured:

Biogen may be agreeable to making free Tysabri available to those patients who are uninsured and under insured. Work with your Case Manager at MS ActiveSource to pursue this route.

How Others Can Help:

NORD seeks to establish funds for specific drug co-payments for privately insured patients. However, it is against the law for such a fund to be set up specifically earmarked for Tysabri for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and most drug companies are reluctant to contribute to a general fund for MS patients as those funds can be used for the competitors' drugs (who may not be making similar contributions). However, individuals can make contributions that are earmarked for co-payment assistance for a specific drug, so here is a link to the NORD website to make such a tax deductible contribution: http://www.rarediseases.org/helping/donate