Editor’s Note: A serious diagnosis takes a heavy toll on patients, medically and financially. Proactive financial navigation can make a huge impact by connecting patients with the resources they need to afford care. In the latest installment of our “Patient Stories” series, learn how navigator Derek Kestrel from our TailorMed Complete team helped lower an MS patient’s treatment costs by 98%.

 

Financial navigator: Derek Kestrel

Diagnosis: Multiple sclerosis

Type of healthcare organization: Infusion center

Medication: Tysabri (Biogen)

Assistance program: HealthWell Foundation

Costs covered: $8,000 per year

Patient financial responsibility without assistance: ~$2,257 per infusion

Patient financial responsibility with assistance: $52 per infusion

 

TailorMed Financial Navigator Derek Kestrel made a meaningful difference for a patient living with multiple sclerosis.

The patient had received conditional approval for a foundation grant to help offset the costs of her prescribed medication, Tysabri. But she had missed the deadline to submit the required paperwork—and had already received her first infusion, leaving her with a potentially unmanageable medical bill.

“When I followed up, the patient explained that she was struggling to complete the necessary forms due to her MS, making her handwriting unreadable,” Derek said. “She was actively trying to find someone to help her fill them out.”

Recognizing the urgency, Derek immediately began investigating alternative financial assistance options. He quickly secured an $8,000 grant from the HealthWell Foundation to cover the medication costs. Even better, HealthWell fully approved the grant without requiring additional documentation. 

“Within 20 minutes of my initial call with the patient, I was able to call her back with the great news of her approval,” Derek said. 

Thanks to Derek’s quick action, the patient will save more than $2,200 per infusion.

The patient was deeply grateful, telling Derek that he had “made her day.” When he asked if there was anything else he could do for her, she replied, “How can I ask you for anything else when you’ve already done so much?” 

“That’s what we’re here for,” Derek responded.

Because of Derek’s expert financial care, the patient was able to afford and adhere to her prescribed MS treatment, a critical factor in achieving better health outcomes.


Interested in partnering with our TailorMed Complete team to optimize financial assistance for your patients? Contact us to learn more.