Cigna To End Coverage For Oxycontin And Push Xtampza Er

Starting January 1st 2018, Cigna will no longer cover most OxyContin prescriptions in its group plan, according to CNN. Instead, they have entered a contract with Collegium Pharmaceuticals who manufactures Xtampza ER, another extended release version of Oxycodone. Their stated reasoning is because of the allegedly superior abuse deterrent properties of Xtampza ER. Mind you, the study finding that Xtampza ER was harder to abuse than OxyContin was conducted by Collegium themselves.

As you might imagine, Purdue Pharma (OxyContin's manufacturer) is not happy about this at all. They seem to think that it is more about the pharmaceutical rebates for Cigna. But none of this fluff matters. What matters are all of the PATIENTS and how it may or may not affect peoples' daily lives! While both of these drugs contain the same active ingredient Oxycodone in extended release form, their effectiveness may vary in practice.

How about everyone out there? Who is already prescribed Xtampza ER? Is it working well for you? Should an insurance company have the right to make these kinds of decisions for patients? (Hint: it's a rhetorical question and reminds me of what CVS did recently too!) Please come back here often and let's keep this thread going. We all need to document whether this change in Cigna's policy is having a good or bad effect.

Reference: http:/­/­www.cnn.com/­2017/­10/­05/­health/­cigna-oxycontin-xtampza/­index.html

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Nobody really cares about PEOPLE'S LIVES anymore. It's all about how things look from the outside with a loss of all individuality and responsibility for the lives of people who are supposedly "being served" who may not be able to make the change. To me, this whole "war on opioids" is a BAD, HARMFUL Hitlerian thing.

It's actually a war on the disabled. Nothing more, nothing less, with motivations ranging from shoving supposedly Christian morality down the world's throats and catering to conservatives and about money and denying the rights of the disabled to have a decent quality of life and instead "save money" by forcing unlivable pain onto innocent people or forcing them to choose illicit drugs or other substances over the pain or the last option, suicide. People who are not in or who have not experienced this evil level of pain would never gain an understanding of what is at stake, nor do they want to.

I'm sick of the conservatives on all levels. They are a dehumanizing force for the worse. I don't know how we change this ugly ditch they are digging the disabled, from the current grave that it is, to an actual pro-human high road.

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Re: Susanna (# 1)

I do agree with you, I have been diagnosed with Lupus and was born with rhuematoid arthritis and I had my right knee replacement. I do get that people can get addicted, however, the people that do abuse the medicine are the people who ruin it for people that actually take it because they are in pain and not to feel high. Then I read people's posts asking if they can abuse some or oxycodone or whatever, and I'm like uh why would you post that? They are the people that probably don't NEED the medicine but are obviously trying to feel high. But I know starting in 2018 CVS will only give 7 days worth to people who are taking these kinds of pain medications. It's insane, everyone's trying to play God!

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Re: Susanna (# 1)

I don't know why Christians are being thrown under this bus. Christians don't want people to be in pain. Government regulations and the sorry state of healthcare is to blame.

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Thank you for this post. I didn't know there was an extended release oxycodone. I am going to ask my doctor about it. The morphine he added to my regimen, I am not crazy about. Prayers n hugs to everyone in pain out there...

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I have United Healthcare and they haven't covered OxyContin for the last two years unless you can get a pre - authorization explaining why another medication can't be used in place of that. I personally think the insurance companies should stay out of the doctors business. Doctors prescribe medications for a purpose and the insurance companies aren't in the office seeing the patients. Big brother is every where now a days!

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No, of course no insurance company should be allowed to dictate what meds you can take... But they are so powerful that they control the government!!! If this were not true none of them would be able to deny any med coverage, but they have been doing so for years! It's actually some pencil pusher in the office deciding what your MD can do for you or prescribe for you. Since this should be illegal under the patient - Doctor privacy laws. I have never understood how they have been getting away with it so long! Actually, it will continue to happen because we the patients do absolutely nothing to stop it!!! The insurance company control of government is because of the size and wealth of their lobbies. Literally, they are the largest in the U.S... Until we start organizing and filing civil suits, calling out our Congress-people and senators, and refusing to just continue to be the sheep we have become it will continue and ultimately get worse. We also need to stop all the baseless litigations going on. Because that's why the MD's don't fight for us anymore. How can they when their malpractice ins is already outrageous and because of all the frivolous legal cases (encouraged by ambulance chasing crackpot lawyers, who are the only ones who win).

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Like I said in my last message, I agree with Suzanna because it is a decision that affects everyone who has to live with chronic pain/fatigue/anxiety everyday. It's the people who abuse the medicine that ruin it for the people who really need these medicines. When I read posts from people asking stupid questions like how do I inj. this medicine? Or will it make me feel high? I mean there are people who live with pain everyday and when you have people asking questions like this, no wonder why they are cutting back on pain medicine!! That's extremely unfair for those who use the medicine as prescribed.

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Does anyone know if Cigna would cover Oxycontin with a prior approval by the doctor?

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Re: Mimi (# 8)

Your doctor would have to send a statement to the insurance to state why this medication is needed and why a substitute won't work. If you can get your doctor to do that you may have a shot. It might be worth a shot if the doctor will do it.

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I am not on this particular medication. However I have strong feelings against an insurance company refusing to cover prescription medications and endorsing a switch to another. I had a similar experience last year with a medication I have been using for 8 years. I was told to switch to Opana ER. Physically I was handling the change but my quality of life and emotional health were suffering. I could not go to work even though my doctor promised me that 1 week would be enough time for my body to adjust. My emotions were all over the place and I could not sleep. Everyday I felt worse rather than better. My doctor had to call insurance for pharmaceuticals and report that I was not tolerating the switch and my quality of life was deteriorating. I just got a letter that effective Jan 1,2018 the same situation will occur. The insurance companies should not be able to dictate which medications they will cover or suddenly change coverage.

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Re: Hop63 (# 10)

Call your insurance and remind them you can’t tolerate the substitute drug. They may need something in writing from your doctor. I’m sorry you have to face this again.

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I am currently on xtampza er and it is working great. You have to eat a fat based meal or even whole fat yougurt. I usually eat Jimmy deans sausage, egg and cheese croissant. You can also eat dark chocolate. You can find a list online. It to me is stronger than what I was taking for sure. It does work the full 12 hours and some days beyond. It was so strong I thought they gave me the wrong dosage. I take the 27 mg. It equals out to oxycodone 30s definitely worth trying. They are going to switch everyone eventually. The price we pay for people who abuse and overdose. I am happy with this as always popping the instant release sucked. Hope you find this helpful. I also have the instant release as a backup from my Dr but haven't really had to use them. You can also get a card to help pay the copays. My dr gave me mine. They also are online.

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We recently switched to Cigna on February 1 this year. We received a letter from Blue Cross Anthem stating they would no longer be covering oxycontin. Submitted prior AUTH to cigna and they denied it and said I would have to take 3 different meds and prove they didn’t work prior to going back on oxycontin. I had been on oxycontin for 3 years and it made a huge difference in my life. I could be more active and not in constant pain. Reluctantly I have started Xtampza 2 days ago. It is nowhere near the same as oxycontin. It’s a strange feeling. It helps with the pain but of course not for 12 hours just like the oxycontin. With the oxycontin I never felt a surge of something into my body. We went to dinner and I was so nauseous and freezing. I ordered something so I wouldn’t ruin dinner for others. Then I got this warm pressure in my chest and the nausea went away and I was hot. I’m assuming it was when the oxycodone was released. I never once felt the physical release of oxycodone while on oxycontin. One of the reasons I liked oxycontin was because I never felt high. I’m in recovery so I avoid feeling high. Today is Day 3 and I will say my pain is more under control than on oxycontin it’s just the strangest feelings I’ve ever experienced. I’d rather live with a little pain and feel normal. I think everyone is looking for a scapegoat for this illicit drug crisis and to show that they have done something! I hate that I was mandated by Cigna. Cigna really ought to look at there structure. I have called there over 50 times in the past week and have not spoken to anyone who speaks English. Pathetic!! I have no choice but to be a guinea pig.

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Re: Cin2525 (# 12)

I've never found a list anywhere of foods to take with extampza other than suggestions if you have to open pill because you can't take whole. Would appreciate sharing where you found the list (if you don't mind).

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Re: Hop63 (# 10)

I thought I would tell everyone what happened this year with my meds. The insurance company will no longer “cover” the cost of medication. Once again I am going through withdrawal due to decision made by my insurance company. The doctor appealed the decision twice and was turned down. You are only permitted to appeal twice. Apparently in NY insurance companies are more powerful than doctors in deciding on a patient’s treatment.

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Re: Cin2525 (# 12)

I replied to your original post and sorry to say I misspokea bit. The suggestions that come with the Rx have suggestions on how to take if taking whole is a problem. I have read suggestions on what has worked for some people and also some gave schedule that works for them. I have noted the suggestions but am still looking for a list that hopefully coming from the manufacturer. One person suggested almond butter granola bars. Will try them-with fingers crossed. Sorry so long. Just really want this Rx to work.

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It truly sucks that the patients medical well being is being run by bean counters. OPIOD abuse is bogus for most people, if dosing is supposed to be three pills per day and u take 15 why is it my problem if i follow the proper dosing?
Its as if u drive a car 40mph or 100 mph with your eyes closed.
BLue cross has already CUT A DEAL with walgreens, $20 for a months supply. After one pill taken with food, vomiting went on for day.

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As you noted collegium perform their own safety study I took one at stanza and was throwing up for about two days did nothing for pain pure crap just boils down to dollars and cents

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