desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

Can you help? Dylan has a milk protein allergy and he has been on Elecare since December. We used Apria. We did not have the wonderful experience that other moms here had. We have letters from Apria saying that our health insurance approved us for Elecare. Our out of pocket portion was to be about 20%, which is still a lot of money because of the cost of Elecare. Well, as it turns out, Apria never got approval and we only recently found out. We have been on the phone with the insurance company and on the phone with Apria non-stop for the past month. We have an agreement from Apria that because they failed to submit paperwork and because they told in writing that it was covered, we will not be responsible for the cost of their mistake. We just have to pay our percentage and Apria has to eat the rest of the cost. However, Apria keeps sending us bills and every bill is for a different amount. They will not ship us any more formula unless we pay out of pocket. I do not want to order more from them until I stop getting the erroneous bills. I am so mad. We even cancelled some shipments back when we had an excess. Now we need that formula.

We have a local pharmacy whose prices were better than Apria's all along but we used Apria because we thought they would represent us in any problems with the insurance company. We have appealed the insurance company's decision but it falls under New Hampshire law and it's not looking good. I still want to argue that NY law should apply but I am not even sure that would help us.

In the meantime, someone gave us some extra cans of Neocate. We are down to where we have 2-3 cans of Elecare left, but we made the switch to Neocate figuring that if there is a problem, we can go back to those emergency cans of Elecare and then figure out what to do. Also, we are going to the GI next week and he said he will try to stash some Elecare for us but in the past he has never been able to because he has other patients whose conditions were much worse than Dylan's and they need to start Elecare right away.

Dylan is doing terribly on Neocate. He rejects it most of the time and when he does take it, he gets gassy, constipated and irritiable and he seems to be the way he was when he had the allergy problem. We also give him yogurt melts because we were told to start to introduce dairy. We have given him YoBaby twice. One time he was fine, but that was before the switch to Elecare. The other time was after the switch to Neocate so we do not know if his problem came from Neocate or YoBaby. I really believe it is the Neocate causing the problems and either way, we need to switch back because he refuses to drink Neocate.

THIS IS A BABY THAT NEEDS TO GAIN WEIGHT and the doctor said that 90-95% of his nutrition should still come from formula. My baby is very unhappy. I do not want him to become dehydrated or suffer from abdominal pain (who would want that?). I never ask for anything on here. I will try to get Elecare from the pharmacy but it is going to cost us an arm and a leg and we have to wait for them to get it in, as they do not stock it.

I will reimburse the cost to anyone who can help and I'll pay for shipping, gas, buy you lunch or do whatever it takes!!! I know that beggars can't be choosy but I only want sealed cans and I really prefer to get them from someone who is an LIF regular. I just feel safer that way.

Thanks. I will feel so much better when Dylan feels better!!!!!

ETA, doctor said Neocate would be okay because they are similar. Well, it's not okay with Dylan! As soon as we know for sure that we won't need it, I can pass along the extra Neocate to someone who uses it.

Message edited 9/9/2008 7:00:33 PM.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

My son was on Neocate so I know how important it is, and how expensive. I can't believe they aren't covering it, what do they think you are doing with it? Snorting it?

I looked on the Elecare site and they have some info on ordering directly from them once you get the Apria stuff cleared up.

I wish I had some to send you.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

i wish i could help, but i no longer have any extras. maybe someone else on the board that gets it can help????

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

I wish I could help. Can you try drugstore.com or maybe ask your regular ped. if they have any?

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

My dd was on Neocate and we did get our prescription filled through Apria. I too had a problem getting my insurance to cover it in the beginning but eventually it all worked out.
I had so many extra cases when DD turned a year but since I didn't know anyone that could use them, I sold them on Ebay.
I would take a look at Ebay for Elecare. I know I sold my cases which cost over $400 for less than $100.
My cases were all sealed and the boxes were never opened.
I hope this helps.
I'm sorry I don't have any extra to give to you.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

Would you try Ebay? Maybe you can get it for a touch cheaper there?

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

I have about 3/4 of a 14oz can left of the powder that I'm not going to use. I know it's not ideal since you don't know me, but if you want it you can have it.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

Is the Alimentum the same as the Elecare? I have cases of it from Apria actually and the boys should be starting regular milk within the next couple of weeks.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

I found these for you on Ebay if nothing else works out.....

Elecare 1

Elecare 2

Elecare 3

Elecare 4

There's so much more there... I know you really don't want to look into Ebay, but it's an option.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

Have you contacted The New York State Insurance Department? Dont quote me on this but I think they have to comply with New York State Insurance Laws/Guidelines if they do business within the state....

I can find out if you want me to. I can email my old boss. But I'd need a bit more information before doing so.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

you have FM!

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

fm!

long story short--APRIA SUCKKKKKKKKKKS
I know who u can call to fix al this and get it asap.

its a diff company and a few girls on here I got them in contact with this girland everyone got coverage--including people were were denied.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

apria sucks..

BUT this formula is a medical nec..
so INS has to cover..

jeannie will tell you what to do
.. Danielle her hook up will help!

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

Ladies, I will get in touch with everyone who offered to help. Right now I am sorta burying my head in the sand. I can do all my client's paperwork and fight my *** off for them but I dread doing it for myself. In the meantime, the GI doctor came up with one more can of Elecare.

Re: desperately seeking cans of Elecare formula

does your ins. co. deal with another home care supplier? When DD went on Alimentum my ins. gave me a list of suppliers (ours is covered 100% so the companies that accept the ins. full payment were given to me).

I would be careful about eBay only b/c you don't know how the seller has been storing it. What if it was kept improperly? Not everyone is as careful as we are!