Monday, October 18, 2010

Attention: All my migraine patients!

Look, people, I know Botox for migraines was approved by the FDA on Friday.

This does NOT, however, mean that your crappy insurance company immediately has to cover it. Quite the contrary. Most of them will drag their feet for another 6-12 months before they're willing to cover it. So as much as you may want it, or I want to treat you with it, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON.

So STOP CALLING. Mary and Annie logged 47 calls from Botox-seeking-patients today, all somehow under the impression that since it's now FDA approved I suddenly have an endless Bucket O' Botox and can inject it at the drop of a hat. I don't have a drive-thru window. This stuff costs $525 a bottle, so I don't keep it lying around.

I have nothing against Botox. Or migraines. But get real, people. Your insurance company moves at the speed of an arthritic snail, and in this case is actually trailing the government bureaucracy.

So relax. Your insurance will catch up with the 21st century. Hopefully before it ends.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can any physician inject Botox, Dr. Grumpy, or do you need a special permit or something?

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Just training. For migraines it isn't that hard.

Anonymous said...

apparently an effective treatment for reynaud's phenomenon, too

Anonymous said...

and after checking your twitter box, it is clearly time for a sincere self criticism session. love, the gang of four

Deb said...

He he he. "Arthritic Snail". I'm going to have to use that sometime. Thanks for the early morning giggle.

The Mother said...

If you really want botox, you just have to go to a Hollywood party. So I've heard. No real experience with Hollywood parties.

Anonymous said...

What? I can get Botox for my migraines?

I'll be right there.

stacey said...

Will Botox used for Migraines smooth out the wrinkles and convolutions of the brain?

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Only if you use a REALLY long (and sharp) needle. And push very, very, very hard.

Texas Pharmacy Chica said...

...there's always the option of paying for it yourself......

Botox.............$550
Administration....$67.325
(covered, negotiated ins. allowable)
Total.............$617.325


Sign here___________________

wv: zinga. Like an abbreviated "Bazinga". Well, I AM shorter than Sheldon....

Kat's Kats said...

I think I'll keep taking my Imitrex, thank you very much! Initially it only came out in a shot format and when I first tried it the shot hurt worse than the migraine. I love it now that I can take the pill but I avoid needles like the plague. I'm glad I'm not diabetic like my husband!!

sques - the face I make when told I have to have an IV, injection, or blood drawn.

Anonymous said...

I'd say if you have had 47 desperate phone calls already that you have some seriously under treated patients!

Amy said...

Wow, that's really interesting. I'm a migraine sufferer and I get by on my preventatives plus triptans as needed. I didn't even know Botox had been approved, but now I'm intrigued. I wonder if the intense interest means that a lot of people are really desperate for a better solution for their migraines, or if they're hoping to get some kind of cosmetic benefits out of it as a side effect. I know nothing about Botox as a migraine treatment and whether it's at all similar to how Botox is used cosmetically.

Swami Dil said...

So, she can't use the "Not tonight dear, I have a headache" line anymore?

Anonymous said...

mother- there is botox in texas. try lufkin.

Frantic Pharmacist said...

I hope that Bucket O'Botox is Extra Crispy. Amazing how people don't think about the "who pays for it" thing.

quixote said...

(Arthritic snails? Only in LA could you find snails, boneless in the whole rest of the planet, with arthritis. Probably a side effect of overdoing Pilates in a quest for the perfect bod.)

Anonymous said...

Speaking as a fellow practicing neuro, I am getting the same phone calls! Everyone thinks they will get Botox for free. Assuming of course they fail the dozens of other medications and can meet the prior authorization guidelines that read like a doctoral dissertation.

Anonymous said...

Excuse the dumb question, but where is the Botox injected if it is to be effective against migraines? Surely not in the facial wrinkles?

Grumpy, M.D. said...

It's a whole series of muscles in a circular pattern around the head.

Anonymous said...

"It's a whole series of muscles in a circular pattern around the head."
Oh, well, there's your solution then. Tell them it will make their hair lose its body! Tee hee hee.

Sarah said...

http://sarahberardi.blogspot.com/2010/10/botox-approved-by-fda-for-migraines.html I read your blog and had to write my entry about it for the day. Thanks for the fodder! Lovin' your blog.

Anonymous said...

Does it work? Depakote, Lyrica, and Lamictal did nothing for me but make my hair fall out. And gain weight. If Botox would work, I would pay the full price! I just don't want any more headaches.

Anonymous said...

I've been getting Botox for migraines and TMJ for years...the whole cosmetic side is just bonus!! Thanks for the laughs!

 
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