Thanks to this site, I just ordered my first insurance paid for VSL. I am very excited! My doctor's ofice didn't even know it was available as a prescription, so hopefully by letting them know, others can be helped by the info. Hooray!!!

How did that work out? You paid for it and submitted the bill to your insurance?

I just got my first one, too, through our local drug store Walgreens. My surgeon's nurse called in a prescription for VSL#3 DS (which stands for double strength)... it is the only one that requires a prescription and thus the only one covered by my insurance.

Walgreens ordered it (they come in boxes of 20, so I get 2 boxes per month with a "use as directed notation) and it cost me $50 as a co-pay. I know that some people on here have better insurance and pay less of a co-pay or none at all. But it still saves me money because each VSL#3 DS packet is equal to two of the regular strength ones, so an equivalent amount would have cost me over $150 per month.

-Nicole

After multiple appeals I got them to cover VSL#3. I paid in advance and then submitted the bill for reimbursement.

Then I saw on the boards people used VSL#3 - DS. I then called my insurance company and they said "sure VSL#3-DS is covered". Now why didnt they tell me this when I was appealing several times for regular VSL#3. Now all I do is go to the pharmacy and pay a regular copay.

Nicole,

If your doctor wrote that you needed to take 2 packets per day (2 x 30days in a month = 60), your insurance company would probably give you 3 boxes for the same co-pay. I know mine would, even if I had a prescription for 3 or 4 packets a day (90 or 120 per month) I would get that many for the one co-pay. You can ask your insurance company the most they would allow and get your prescription.

Thanks, Mila... you are absolutely correct. My surgeon doesn't want to prescribe that much right now now but I am going to ask for that when my script is up next time for cost savings purposes.

-Nicole

Has anybody here in Canada had luck with the insurance companies paying for VSL3? I did that battle myself about three years ago and got no where. Had the option of 3 different insurance companies as well. Is VSL3DS available here as well?

I order my VSL directly with the official Canadian VSL3 distributor. In november 2007, they told me that the Double Strengh is not available in Canada. May be this has changed since.

They did confirm that the Double Strengh is the same as the standard VSL3, with twice the normal dose per packet.

Be careful when using your insurance to purchase VSL3. My insurance covers the double strength. I also have a million dollar life time cap on my insurance that includes health and prescription coverage. I researched the costs for my co-pay and the overall cost. YIKES! I could very easily go through my million dollar life time in a very short period of time. At this point I am considering trying only one month of VSL without using my insurance and then look for other alternatives for the future.