Updated 2/8/18: I have updated information after speaking with a patient education specialist today. What the representative I spoke with Tuesday told me was mostly accurate, but not entirely. I’ve added updates throughout the post. I’m embarrassed by all the changes and apologize for passing on incorrect information.
gammaCore Cost
The list gammaCore cost is $600 per device and needs to be “refilled” every 31 days. You have unlimited use of the device for one month, then it will stop working. A “refill” means buying a new device. Yes, you read that correctly—the gammaCore cost is $600 a month ($7,200 a year) without insurance. This pricing model is both ridiculously expensive and wasteful. It’s also 2.5 times what mine cost before it was available in the US market (more on that in a bit).
Update 2/8: The out-of-pocket cost for the foreseeable future is $498 a month ($5,976 a year). The device costs $575 a month and fees for the speciality pharmacy that sends the device add $23 per month, for a total of $598. The pharmacy automatically applies a $100 discount for people with migraine or cluster headache, which electroCore is calling “copay assistance.” The discount applies every month and does not currently have an expiration (though that may change).
gammaCore Insurance Coverage
gammaCore representatives say they are working with all US insurance companies to get the device covered. Currently, coverage is on an individual patient basis. To see if your insurance company will cover it, you need to contact them directly and ask for their protocol for covering medical devices. You will almost certainly need to submit documentation from your doctor about the severity and frequency of your migraine attacks or cluster headache attacks and information on other treatments you have tried. gammaCore customer service can help you determine which information will help make your case with the insurance company. If you decide to purchase the device before getting approval from your insurance company, you can submit for reimbursement (though there’s no guarantee the insurance company will reimburse you). gammaCore customer service ((888) 903-CORE) can help you with that process.
I will be trying to get coverage through my insurance company and will keep you posted on the process.
Update 2/8: gammaCore is supplied through a speciality pharmacy, which will contact your insurance company for you. Your doctor prescribes the device using the gammaCore enrollment form, which they submit to the specialty pharmacy. Before filling the prescription, the specialty pharmacy will contact your insurance company. If your insurance company requests additional information to prove the device is medically necessary, the pharmacy will get the information from your doctor and submit it to insurance. The pharmacy will let you know whether your insurance will cover the device and how much they will pay for. The whole process usually takes about a week.
When I asked if contacting my insurance company directly would help, I was told it wasn’t necessary, but it couldn’t hurt and will raise awareness of the gammaCore as a treatment option.
Two Free Months of gammaCore Use
The gammaCore Patient Registry (GPR) will give a patient with migraine or cluster headache two free months of use if they qualify for the program. The GPR is basically a follow-up study to see how the device works “in the wild” for a large number of patients. If there’s a GPR site near you and you qualify, you may try the device out at no charge for two months in exchange for frequent reporting on your migraine symptoms and use of the device. If you decided to continue using it, you may then qualify for a year of use at a discounted rate. To find out if there’s a GPR site near you, call (888) 903-CORE.
I am going to look into the GPR for myself, but don’t think I will qualify since I’ve been using the device for almost 20 months. I’ll let you know what I learn and if I am able to participate.
Update 2/8: The GPR is currently only for people with episodic cluster headache. There may be a GPR for migraine in the future, but one is not currently in the works.
Patient Assistance Program
Patients who meet financial qualifications may receive a discount on the gammaCore. This is similar to prescription assistance programs, which are income-based. Call (888) 903-CORE for details.
Everyone who orders a gammaCore for migraine or cluster headache gets a $100 “copay assistance” on every order. There is no financial need qualification. This is a $100 discount off the price of the device, no matter if you have insurance or not and no matter how much your insurance covers. The copay assistance is not time-limited, though electroCore may discontinue the program at any time. A patient assistance program may be developed in the future.
My gammaCore Cost Thus Far
I went to Canada to get the gammaCore because it was approved there years before it was available in the US. The pricing model for the device changed last summer, when the gammaCore received FDA approval for cluster headache. The device that used to cost me less than $3,000 a year will now cost $7,200 a year if my insurance doesn’t cover it. Depending on the exchange rate, I used to pay about $550 for a device with 300 uses that could be used in any time frame. Because I get a migraine attack every time I eat, I went down to two meals a day so each device lasted 2.5 months. It used to cost me about $1.85 per use. At the new pricing, it will cost $5 per use. The 300-use device is no longer available; it now needs to be replaced every 31 days in Canada and, I believe, every country it is available. I assume electroCore, the company that makes gammaCore, changed the device settings and pricing model for the US insurance market.
How I Paid for the gammaCore
I received my first gammaCore free (it was the program electroCore offered at the time), then paid for subsequent devices myself. Yes, it was expensive; I justified the cost because it allowed me to increase my productivity at TheraSpecs. The idea with any treatment I try is that if it works, it will pay for itself by allowing me to work more. I know this is a luxury allowed by my unusual work setup, which doesn’t apply to most people.
The pricing of this device, to be politically correct, is RIDICULOUS! This device is no doubt made in China for $35. This company needs to quit screwing over people in need.
Hi, have you tried other devices such as the CEFALY (trigeminal stimulation) or maybe other forms of vagus nerve stimulation (like a tens device + vagustim earclips)? Or maybe tdcs? Well, all the best for you!
Hi Kerry,
Have you heard of any new ins payers?Would you say most of the people you hear from are more likely to re new the prescription?.While 400 or 500 a month is expensive…for quality of life I would think people would pay.I think they are working on getting more coverage but INSURANCE companies dont want to pay for anything so this has been a slower process for Electrocore I imagine.
Hi Michael, more and more insurance companies are offering coverage. I recommend calling electroCore’s customer service to see if they can tell you if your insurance covers it. They also have a new program that will pay for up to a year of the cost while you try to get coverage through your insurance company. Best of luck. Please let us know if you try it and how it works for you.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hello Kerrie,
Please note, my insurance doesn’t cover GammaCore nor do I qualify for their patient support program because my primary insurance is Medicare. My secondary is Regence, which covers all my meds. In essence, this is age discrimination since nearly everyone over 65 takes advantage of Medicare. I battled this same refusal (based on my Medicare ins.) by Amgen patient support when I first started taking Aimovig. They finally did help me after a lot of hassle, but Gammacore is NOT willing to help.
Hi Candy, I’m sorry your insurance won’t cover it. Government regulations really tie companies’ hands on what they can offer. I’ve been told that Medicare usually takes two or three years to cover something once it has FDA approval, but I don’t know if that applies to devices. I’m glad to hear you did get Aimovig. Best wishes on your treatment.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi,Here we are late June and Electrocore has only CVS to help. Has anyone heard of a list of possible Ins providers yet?
Hi Michael, your best bet is to contact your insurance company directly or to call gammaCore’s customer service. I doubt they’ll ever publish a list of providers, but know they have a lot more insurance companies covering it every month. Even if your insurance doesn’t currently cover it, gammaCore has a program that will pay for your gammaCore for a year while you’re working on getting insurance approval (https://www.gammacore.com/patient-support/). Their customer support can help you with that.
Take care,
Kerrie
Dear all,
There is a Belgian company making similar things for a much better price (350 eur, one time payment, the elektrode patches are sold seperatly at reasonable prices also), it might be worth checking out.
http://www.cefaly.com/en
http://www.cefaly.com/en/cefaly-shop
It is currently FDA approved for migraine and ther’re aiming for using it for some other diseases as well.
Greetings
Hi Filip, thanks for the information on Cefaly. While it is also a neuromodulation device, it works in a different way and on different nerves than gammaCore does. If the less expensive option is effective for you, great! But know that one may be effective for some, while the other is not.
Take care,
Kerrie
Sorry good luck if ur on medicaid or medicare i cant get it i tried they dont take neither so im stuck wish they had a paymeny plan they dont
The cost is just outrageous and I’m finding it near impossible to find a neurologist who will entertain anything other than medication. Grrrr….. Anyway, I thought that I would mention that I have been having good results with auricular accupuncture. It’s not the regular accupuncture but rather focuses upon the ear and the tiny needle/studs are left in the ear (they fall out within a week). Interestingly enough, the US military’s pain clinic is where I first learned of this treatment and I’ve been able to see someone who has received in depth training on it. Funny, my nuerologists that I’ve seen pooh pooh it, but for the past 24 hours I’ve been bedridden with vertigo and migraine…until i was able to see the accupuncturist. I am able to move around, cook dinner and function. Not 100% but about 80% and that’s huge after not even being able to get to the bathroom without extreme effort. Ya’ll may want to look into…at least it’s affordable by comparison!
The cost of this device is unbelievably outrageous. This company doesn’t care about helping people. They are only in it to make money. My Doctor has used this on me in office and it’s helped me but I can’t afford this device as my insurance won’t cover it. I hope they all get some kind of chronic pain issue and IF there is something available to help them, they won’t be able to afford it and therefore get no help.
This company is just taking advantage of suffering people! This is mafia! They could easily build one with normal batteries. But if they do they would lose much money!
I hope they suffer in hell
Any updates yet? I’m in Canada, not far from the distribution centre.
Hi Jacqueline, what kind of information are you looking for? electroCore has started offering financial assistance programs in the US, but I don’t know if they are available in Canada. If you’re looking for pricing information or local prescribers, I recommend contacting the company directly.
Take care,
Kerrie
I’ve had cluster headaches for 10 years. (male, 72 years, no medication, good health, smoker, canadian) Usually episodic, twice yearly, approx. spring and fall for 2 weeks, 2 or 3 headaches a night. Oxycontin only made me stupid. My brother, the doctor, said headaches were caused by constricted blood vessels. I decided on vigorous exercise to dilate the blood vessels, and get my heart pounding, maybe 140 bpm. I use my Bullworker classic 36″ that I’ve owned for over 45 years and I work it hard for the 15 or 20 minute modified workout. Usually, the headache blows away in 6 to 10 minutes. Because it’s a spring loaded isometric device, it’s hard to injure yourself, and you can pick it up after long periods of inactivity…I’m as lazy as the next man. last night I had to use it 6 times! And this episode has lasted 4 weeks. Thankfully the Bullworker works , and I’m stronger.
Hi-I suffer from clusters but live in South africa-am I able to buy this on line-Nobody in my country has heard of this product
Hi Steve, I recommend contacting electroCore directly; I’m not sure which countries it’s available in. It isn’t sold online because it requires a prescription and is only available in countries where it has regulatory approval. If it’s not available in South Africa and you’re able to travel, you could see a doctor in another country to have it prescribed. That’s what I did before it was available in the U.S.
Take care,
Kerrie
After a successful trial with the old-style Gammacore device, I called to order a new one. My original prescription was for the old device, and I was told I needed a new script for the Saffire (new model). There is a critical difference between the 2 devices. Old device: It last for 30 days of treatment, so if you don’t use it every day, it will last for more than a month. New device: expires in one month WHETHER OR NOT you use it. So if you don’t use it every day you’re way better off w/ the old device, which is still available. My original script for for the old one, and I’m sticking to it for this next round.
Candy
Hi Candy, I talked with gammaCare today when I reordered my device. Unfortunately, they said that both the old device and the Sapphire time out after 30 consecutive days. So ordering the old device won’t make a difference. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi Kerrie,
Currently fighting with insurance to get them to cover gamma core, my neurologist said it cost $500 (out of pocket) I’m wondering from reading this if that is a monthly charge ?!?! My other questions is about opening it up and resetting it, i see that one person had a friend who was an electronic technician. I’m wondering if a competent person could do this with an instructional video. Any out there? Thank you for you valuable research and information.
Sheila
Hi Sheila, sadly, yes, $500 is the monthly charge. electroCore (the makers of gammaCore) have announced expanded insurance coverage starting in the first quarter of 2019, though there’s no information on which companies or plans will cover it. I don’t know of any video about opening up and resetting the device and have not done it myself. The reader who posted about it used one of the first-generation devices (which is rounded on top with feet–a friend described it as a doughnut with legs). If you have a newer device (the one that says “gammaCore Sapphire” on it), those instructions won’t work. The Sapphire uses an RFID card to activate it each month, so is is not hackable in the same way the original device was for that reader. Best of luck with your insurance coverage. I’m still fighting for it myself.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hello, I’m wondering how I can apply for the 30 day trial if its still available. I’m currently on my cycle of cluster headaches, they arrive every year around November and last thru December. O2 is the only thing that works, I’m currently paying for it out of pocket but it’s expensive as well. I’m wondering if this device would work
Hi David, your doctor or electroCore (the makers of gammaCore) can help you find a trial program in your area. Best of luck finding relief.
Take care,
Kerrie
Help please!!!!! Likewise, I too am sad my 30 days are up and I can’t afford to pay for a regular prescription for Gammacore, which will never in a million years be covered by my Regence -Uniform Medical insurance plan. I have chronic migraine every day of my life. Along comes something that actually helps w/out side effects, and accessing it is so out of the question it’s a joke. Here’s the help part: I am an artist and would like to do a piece that features the Gammacore device(s) and at the same time highlights the exhorbitant price and the criminal waste of a single-use, throw-away thing. PLEASE send me your old devices if you’re willing. I promise to ultimately dispose of them responsibly once my project is complete.
SO sad that my 30 days is nearly up, as l found reasonable relief with the stimulations. I called and was told to hold onto my unit for a period of time to see whether Medicaid will start covering some of the monthly costs down the road as this is on the market longer. If not, l was told to turn the unit back into my Neurologist so she can either return it or do what the rep tells her to with it.
I’m so sorry, Amy. That’s incredibly frustrating. electroCore, the company that makes gammaCore, announced in their earnings report that more insurance companies will start covering it in the first quarter of 2019. Medicare and Medicaid usually lag in coverage compared to private insurance, but maybe coverage will be different with devices.
Take care,
Kerrie
Amy, is the device you received for your 30 day trial the old throw-away unit or the new rechargeable one? Just curious to know if they have changed their practices since I received mine (trial throw-away model) in early Sept. Or late August. Thanks.
Hi Candy, they switched to distributing the rechargeable device in September or October. I needed an updated prescription from my doctor for the rechargeable one, but the company contacted him and took care of all that for me.
Take care,
Kerrie
What was the cost? Did it help your wife?
If I didn’t want to open the device myself I would take it to a “maker space” or to an electronics tech. They love to fix stuff like this. Our library also has an evening “fix it cafe” and it usually includes an electronics tech. It didn’t cost anything to get my wife’s device working temporarily; it took about 15 minutes. Bypassing the batteries and adding a switch (so you could keep resetting the timer) and external battery pack might cost $20 and shouldn’t take long to do. But, I have not done this yet.
Remember the instructions say its dangerous to open this device so if you aren’t completely confident don’t do it. While I don’t have a background in electronics I have done a lot of building and fixing. My reasoning was, it already didn’t work, so how could I make it worse? First, I cut it open and just looked at it. I spotted the batteries and checked the voltage with my voltmeter. They still had a charge! Hm……… now what? I took it to my electronics tech friend who said, “sometimes disconnecting the batteries and hooking them up again will reset the internal timer.” We snipped the wires and resoldered them and it worked. And is still working a week later.
To the second question, I would say yes, it is helping my wife some. Not a magic bullet, but some help. And with migraine every little bit helps.
The newer model must us an rfid device to reset it. (not too sophisticated)
My wife has migraines, not as bad as yours, but bad, near daily. A while ago she received a prescription for a certain throwaway electronic device. We noticed there were quite a few comments about this device on your blog. She was in the middle of a bunch of other problems and so didn’t get to use it before it quit working. An electronics tech friend and i made it work again.
As a cautionary note: the instructions for this device say its not safe to open up.
I cut the device apart very gently using a fine tooth hacksaw. Afterwards it can be held together with a rubber band. Check the batteries with a voltmeter and if they still have a charge. If they do, a short term repair can be had by clipping, and then resoldering, the battery connections which resets the timer. This worked for my wife’s device. We don’t know for how long the batteries will last yet but she has used it quite a few times. A longer term fix would involve either replacing the batteries or recharging them which is well within the capabilities of a competent electronic hobbyist or an electronics technician.
So, not that I would, but has anyone attempted to open it up and attempt to reacharge it? I see that the second generation comes with a charger and you have to buy a monthly code to get it to fire up.
I get research take some money, but on the surface this looks like a glorified TENS device. I was doing to pull the FDA specs on both and compare.
Anyway, I just got a first generation model in the mail to try and it’s killing me not to crack it open. I’m guessing they saw me coming with that curiosity and it’ll self-destruct.
PS: not suggesting I will attempt this and certainly not suggestion you do. Just a gal with chronic cluster headaches without a spare $600/mo for meds (yes, I am aware it has not shown effective with cCH but I have to try.)
Hi Jenny, I’ve heard from several people who plan to, but not from anyone who has. I’ll post if I ever hear of anyone who has tried it. I hope it’s helpful for you.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi Jenny,
It is not a TENS unit. Surprisingly, it uses sound, not electricity. That doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that it dies after 30 days whether you use it or not. That is what drives me crazy. If they want to make their money back, I understand. But they should do it where you can use it 30 times and then it dies…
I also got a free 30-day trial, and, call it Murphy’s law or coincidence, that month I did not get as many migraines as I normally get. Having said that, I only used it 4 times before it died on me. So frustrating!
I got a free 1 month trial of Gamma Core in August from my neurologist and it worked great! I didn’t want to take meds every day so I would end up with terrible migraines by the end of the week that no meds would break. While I had Gamma Core, I used it every day (sometimes a couple times a day) and it broke everything – even tension headaches! Of course at the end of my trial, the device timed out and insurance would not cover it. I had no idea it was so expensive. I’m getting relief from Aimovig and thought I could possibly abandon my rescue meds for the Gamma Core, but not at $500 a month.
I wonder if this device “The Gamma Core” would work for me. I’ve got a condition called Vagal Neuralgia which is a rare condition that was caused when a surgeon accidentally nicked my Vagal Nerve during surgery and so I’m now in horrific chronic pain on the left side up into my neck altheway through my jaw, mouth, ear and all the way into the left side of my head. It’s exhausting having sharp stabbing pain 24/7 with very little help from narcotics medications, plus the DEA keeps taking away more and more medications from Chronic Pain Patients instead of off the streets. But, my mom heard about this stimulator and we just wondered if this might work. Do you have to have a prescription? You can’t just buy one? My neurologist should be able to prescribe it? Hopefully if it’s made to stimulate the vagal nerve it might help with my pain?
Thanks
Julienne
Hi Julienne, I’m sorry you’re having such horrible pain. The gammaCore is only available through prescription and your neurologist should be able to prescribe it for you. Best wishes that you find relief.
Take care,
Kerrie
I am totally frustrated! I have called my neurologist (who is trying to get me the device), my pharmacy, medicare, silverscript who supposedly takes care of prescriptions, and my secondary medicare which I pay $119. I’m at the end of my rope. I can’t stay on the phone all day and getting nowhere. I have been suffering from migraines for years and then most of them turned into cluster headaches. Very hard to deal with. Imagine waking up in the morning wanting to throw up from the pain. I have taken all sorts of pilles, i.e. imitrex, summatriptan, Butalbital and several others the neurologist threw my way. I’ve had botox injections and even a spinal block. The spinal block was the best for TWO weeks and then back with the migraines. They are so dibilitating and the drug companies want to rake you over the coals. I’m at my wits end. HELP!!!
I live in BC Canada. Where did your purchase your gammacore? I have called many medical suppliers and haven’t found any that carry it.
I have a prescription for it and need help finding the place that has them. You may email me at gina6891@gmail.com with your info. Thank you kindly. Gina
Hi Gina, here’s the supplier: http://seakaproducts.ca/. I believe the doctor I saw sent the paperwork directly to the supplier for me. I’m not sure if that’s a necessary step, though.
Take care,
Kerrie
Thank you for the information. I was sold this new palm of your hand device at my last Neuro appt. I have chronic migraines. However, she failed to tell me it only works for 31 days, and that its discarded. What a waste. Also she did not tell me that it takes about 2 to 3 months to really work. I did try the Cefaly and it made me worse and was very painful for me. Perhaps I should just go to Europe and purchase my own.
Hi tshelton, how frustrating that you didn’t have all the information when you got the device! Some people notice relief quickly, so you may not have to wait so long to see the full benefit. Before you travel to Europe, make sure that the device sold there doesn’t have the same restrictions. The ones I got in Canada didn’t have the time restriction, but only lasted 300 uses. And now the ones sold in Canada also only last 30 days, just like those sold in the US. Even if you can get one with no time or use restrictions, the batteries aren’t rechargeable or replaceable, so it will only last a limited amount of time in any case. It’s really frustrating!
Take care,
Kerrie
I guess I missed the email about the 2 free month trial. How does this work?
Linda, the two free months are currently only for people with cluster headache. I know some migraine patients whose doctors have given them a trial until for a month. It’s worth asking your doctor about.
Take care,
Kerrie
Besides Ceflay and Spring TMS, do you know of any other non invasive (non drug) treatments for migraines?
Hi Nicole, gammaCore is the only other one with FDA approval in the US. Others are being researched, though.
Take care,
Kerrie
Again, something we can not afford, which adds to our headaches. I don’t have CM but some weeks, I have daily migraines, depending on the barometer. This week has been really bad.
Sun, then storms and then sun again and then storms again. So far, I have kept them from getting worse. I feel for the others who can’t afford this unit. Companies can’t make a profit if we can’t afford to buy them.
I haven’t been paying attention. Didn’t realize it has been approved for CM and didn’t realize you finally posted about it. The cost has kept me from trying it but I should look into it again due to the two month free program.
Thank you for the two great posts about this product. When you spoke to the representative, did they give any reason as to the need to repurchase the product each month? Is there ACTUALLY a reason apart from the company recouping costs from the research/profiting? My boyfriend has had migraines for 15 years now, and with the recent development of his sleep apnea he is essentially unable to hold a job. I imagine there are many other migraine sufferers that find themselves in similar positions throughout their lives, and though I understand that companies need to recoup costs and profit from their products, it’s very… uncomfortable to think about people spending money that they really can’t afford to part with simply to not be in constant pain.
Their business model is ridiculous. This is an electric device. There is no reason for it only to last 31 days. They admitted to me that it has a timer that makes it not work anymore. I don’t know how they can live with themselves and go to sleep knowing that they are taking advantage of people.
Have tried every medication out there Nothing works except diladid. Used the device for two days. Migraines got worse.
Thank you so much for the update, Kerrie! I’m going to assume the copay card info I got from my doctor’s office is not true at this point.
$498/month is a lot. Who do they realistically think can afford this? This is disappointing.
An update from my call to electroCore: I was told the fee is $575 + a 4-5% pharmacy fee, so yes, right around $600/month. The person I spoke with wasn’t very helpful or knowledgeable answering questions about financial support or insurance, so I’d love to hear what others find out if they call. All he said is they might be able to find a way to make it accessible for me.
He did let me know my migraine doc’s clinic is a study site; however, when I contacted them, they said it was only for cluster patients. Again, if others find out that their local site is also including migraine patients, I’d love to know. Maybe my doc’s office just isn’t aware that migraine patients will be included soon?
My doctor’s office did say they would be receiving 1-month copay reimbursement cards. These typically can’t be used with Medicare or Medicaid, though.
Kerrie – was one month enough time for you to know the gammaCore was effective? Since it’s used acutely, do you know within your first few tries?
Hi Beth, thanks for the information. It sounds like their staff isn’t all on the same page; I was told $600 with no mention of the pharmacy fee. As you say, it’s effectively the same price, but it would be nice to know we’re all getting the same information. I do have a call into a gammaCore patient education specialist, who is supposed to be able to better answer financial questions. I’ll let you know if she gives me any further information.
The person I spoke with at my local patient registry site had no idea what gammaCore even was! I’m supposed to try back to see if the office manager has heard of it. Good to know about the copay reimbursement cards. Did they tell you if there’s a limit to how much they’ll reimburse? Having to pay for the device outright isn’t technically a copay, so they may not cover the full cost. (No worries if you don’t know, I’ll also ask the patient education specialist and my regular headache specialist’s office.)
The company’s VP of scientific, medical and governmental affairs told me it can take three months to see an improvement, but most patients know after two months if it will work for them. My initial trial was more like two months. I knew by the end of that time that it was doing something good, though I wasn’t sure how much. But it took more than a month to use it at the full strength. I was afraid of using it at too high of a setting. In retrospect, that was an unnecessary worry. Once I got to the full strength, it took a couple weeks before it aborted a migraine attack. I was also in medication overuse headache for the first two months, so it wasn’t a clear trial.
All that said, I’ve found that if I use it at too high of a setting, it will trigger a rebound migraine attack. I’ll feel fine for a couple hours, then get hit with another attack. So it can take a while to figure out the right setting and, for me, the setting depends on the severity of the migraine attack. And the settings have changed over time. (I’m working on a post all about that.)
I know that’s a ton of information! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi again, Beth. I want to be sure you see that I updated the post above. The patient education specialist was much more knowledgeable than the first person I spoke with. The speciality pharmacy will contact insurance for you, though there’s no guarantee it will be covered. The GPR is only for episodic cluster headache; migraine may be included in the future, but that didn’t sound promising. The person I spoke with didn’t know about the copay card from your doctor’s office, but said that everyone with migraine or cluster headache will automatically get a $100 discount each month from the pharmacy. She didn’t say anything about Medicare or Medicaid. There is no patient assistance program (what the first person told me was a patient assistance program was actually the copay discount).
Take care,
Kerrie
I’m irritated that the gamma core device is so expensive. I tried the older Cefaly model with no success but I’m trying the new dual Cefaly with the hope that it works for me this time. I began getting migraines when I was about 10 and over the years they have become chronic daily migraines (since 1998-99). At one point BOTOX was helping but I’ve built up such a tolerance that the BOTOX injections were lasting only a couple of weeks and I can’t afford to pay to have them more frequently as I’m disabled and have been out of work for more than 3 years now and am still waiting for approval for SSDI and Medicare.
It sucks that it apparently no new devices are covered by insurance, at least not individual insurance policies. I have a huge deductible but then I have no co-pays after I’ve met it. I don’t know about co-pays for medical devices.
I’m with you, Margo. It’s ridiculous that these new devices cost so much. And each one that’s announced is more expensive than the last. I’m so sorry you’ve built up a tolerance to Botox. That is so frustrating (I’m going through something similar right now).
Take care,
Kerrie
migraine is expensive already, the cost for gamma core is outrageous
i used the springTMS (it didn’t work) and never heard from them and now i believe they are tracking me down so i can send it back (it’s wicked heavy and i don’t want to have to pay shipping). i am using cefaly now; it’s much smaller but not feasible to wear at work; it sticks to your forehead and looks very Treky. also insurance is not covering cefaly cost.
Jeselle, I agree it’s outrageous. I’m sorry the SpringTMS didn’t work for you. You can probably ask them to send you a prepaid return shipping label to send it back. Is the Cefaly helping you?
Take care,
Kerrie
Thanks for the info! Crazy pricing model! So does the patient trash the device once all the uses are gone, or are they turned back in and recycled/reset? If the former, that is also ridiculously wasteful. Do you pick it up at a regular pharmacy (after them ordering it), or is it shipped to you through a specialty pharmacy, or something else?
The unfortunate thing about these new devices (Cefaly, sTMS, gammacore) is that even with good insurance and them covering it, the cost is likely still high, as it is a medical device. I have good insurance, and pay no more than $50 / prescription (if non formulary brand), have no deductible, no co-insurance, etc, but my coverage on medical equipment is only 60% (which appears to be the norm – very odd).
Unless things change, these devices won’t be an option for me. I was so bummed that Botox made my daily NDPH headache worse, as it did wonders on my migraines, and was $0 out of pocket, so even cheaper than a generic prescription for me.
Hi Kate, I was told to throw mine away. I’ll check to see if they have a return program now, but I’m guessing not. To get the gammaCore, you are connected with a “specialty pharmacy,” which is basically a distribution center. They mail you the initial device and then send replacement devices every month.
Great point that the cost is high even with good insurance. I’m thinking that because devices are new, insurance companies can use different coverage models than they can get away with for medications.
I’m sorry to hear Botox made your NDPH worse. How frustrating! There’s some indication that people who respond to Botox for migraine will be good candidates for the CGRP drugs in development. I highly doubt that an interaction with NDPH has come up in the research, though.
Take care,
Kerrie
HI again, Kate, there is no reuse. Today I was told to recycle it like a cell phone. She told me they’re working on a rechargeable device that you’d update each month with an RFID card. However, I was told the rechargeable device was in the works two years ago.
Take care,
Kerrie
I’m in Canada and did not know it was available here. From who, where?
Hi Janet, here’s a list of Canadian prescribers: http://gammacore.co.uk/resource-center/find-a-provider#ca (which is an entirely different list than I saw two years ago!). You can also talk to your doctors about it. If you have a headache specialist, that’s probably a good place to start. When I got my prescription in May 2016, any doctor could prescribe it (so could naturopaths and chiropractors) as long as they were willing to contact electroCore to learn the process. Please let me know if you decide to try it!
Take care,
Kerrie
P.S. I know this list isn’t comprehensive because my local headache specialist contacted two headache specialists who prescribe it and aren’t on the list. Neither would prescribe to patients outside of Canada, but that’s not an issue for you!
What medication does it need to be “refilled” with? If it’s a nerve stimulator, it shouldn’t need to be refilled. I’ve read your other posts but I still don’t quite understand how this device reduces your migraines? I know it’s a vagus nerve stimulator, but how does that relate to migraines and cluster headaches? I’m sorry it’s so expensive! It’s ridiculous, how do they expect anyone to be able to afford it?
Hi Becky, there’s no medication. It’s not really a refill, they just send a replacement device. I’m working on a post about how it works, which I should have up tomorrow. The short version is that it’s thought to balance neurotransmitters that are out of whack in people with migraine and cluster headache.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi again, Becky. Here’s my explanation of how it works: http://www.thedailyheadache.com/2018/02/how-does-the-gammacore-work.html.
Take care,
Kerrie
Wow, I thought the sTMS was expensive! I agree cost is worth it to a certain point if it improves productivity and well being, but am I reading this right that it is $600/month? For those of us most disabled, out of work, un- or under-insured, how is this practical? Thank you so much for updating us and providing numbers to call for support. I’ll be making some calls tomorrow.
Hi Beth, yes, you read that correctly. It costs $600 a month without insurance or $7,000 a year! Best of luck with your calls. Please let us know what you learn.
Take care,
Kerrie
Hi again, Beth, I want to be sure you see the updates I added to the post. I spoke with a more knowledgeable gammaCore employee today who gave more accurate information.
Take care,
Kerrie