I lurk here almost every day, but I rarely post. However, I wanted to take the time to thank you all for your previous discussions of VSL#3. Thanks to you I will save hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Let me explain.

I had my takedown on July 25 and my doctor suggested that I might want to try VSL#3 or another probiotic. I started researching cost etc. and also checked my health insurance. Although my Blue Cross brochure said that medical foods were not covered, after I had read on this board that some people were getting their insurance companies to pay for it, I contacted the BC/BS mail order pharmacy directly and asked about VSL#3. Well, they confirmed that it was not covered.

I thought that was the end of it until I read a subsequent post here about the DS double-strength RX only VSL#3. Well, armed with this new information (which is nowhere to be found on VSL's own website btw), I called the pharmacy once again and specifically asked them to key in VSL#3DS to see if it was covered. Well, lo and behold, it was! They told me that I could get a 90 day supply for a mere $35!!

I contacted my surgeon, had his office call in the Rx, and today I received 5 boxes (100 packets @ 20 packets/box) in the mail.

I just took my first dose this evening. Thanks again for posting this information here.

Scott

Fantastic story! Thanks!
Bill

wow, this is great. After reading this post I called my insurance company and the DS is covered. My prescription copay is $5, so if the script is written that my daughter needs to take 4 packets a day (4x30), I will get 120 packets for the grand total of $5!!!!

Ditto on the thanks

Ditto here too, thanks! Just called Blue Cross of Michigan, they confirmed it's covered under my policy. Called Dr. to request it. Was news to nurse, so probably new to my Dr. as well. Will find out soon enough. Was just ready to re-order and fork over the big bucks.

I'm in Canada and tried getting VSL-3 covered by my insurance company over here. Got the package from the producers, had my doctor fill everything out and had a prescription and it was a no go ( not a surprise). Perhaps the DS formula would be covered up here if the US insurance companies are covering it without having to people beg for it.

I'll give it a go when I see my GI this thursday. Keep your fingers crossed! Actually if anyone in Canada has had success getting VSL-3 covered by their insurance company, please let me know. Maybe there is a way we can get the Canadian insurance companies to cover it. And I think if one insurance company covers it then it lends more credibility and other insurance comapnies are more likely to cover it.

Thanks,

Suzanne

Wow Scott....

That is a great post! I'm BC/BS member also. I'm going to give that one a try. Thank you so much!

Scott,

I'm so glad the information was helpful to you and saved you $. We have spent so much money on our health over the years - it is nice to catch a break.

Steve

I'm very happy that my explaining my situation has helped others as well, but as I noted in my initial post, I can't take credit for the "discovery." I was as clueless as everybody else until I read a post by someone else on this board sometime ago about the Rx-only DS VSL#3.

But since this is relatively unknown, even to doctors and their staffs, and given the fact that the manufacturer itself doesn't even advertise this option, perhaps there is some way for the forum administrators to have the information prominently displayed somewhere on the board. I think that would greatly assist new members as they come to the board. Is this a possibility?

Scott

Does anyone know what the DIN number is for vsl#3ds.my drug store says they need to know what the DIN number is in order to see if a drug plan covers it,but this is Canada and I have never heard anyone getting vsl covered up here.
matt

Hi Matt,

According to my 2006 receipts for VSL#3, the DIN is 00903105.

My insurance (federal government, run through Sun Life) did not cover VSL#3. I wrote to them to ask that coverage be expanded, but never received a response.

I was able to use the receipts towards a medical expense tax credit. The key was that I had a prescription from my GI and it was filled by a pharmacy.

Kevin

It was a no-go for VSL-3 DS at my pharmacy too. and for the same reason - no DIN. I got a script from my surgeon for VSL-3 a couple of years ago and my group insurance company wouldn't cover it either.

Kevin, are you talking about the medical expense on your tax return? I'd never thought about that. Do you know how much you were able to get back? ie: did the tax credit cover 100% of the cost?

Okay everybody, I called my insurance company and the vsl company and this is what I got. The insurance company has an NDC (national drug code) and the nuber is 54482093001 and a GCN (don't know what that stands for) and the number is 9709. VSL told me they have a product code and that number is 930011 (looks like the NDC). Since the N stands for national, not sure if that will help in Canada, but certainly worth the try. Good luck to everyone.

Also, everyone should tell their GI's about the DS as I'm sure most don't know (mine didn't but I'm sure now will only prescribe the DS). I also think when you call up the VSL company they should let you know, but hey, I think we should all live in a perfect world and not need the stuff!!

In Canada, the DIN (Drug Identification Number) is issued by Health Canada for any prescription or over-the-counter drug product. Such products are not legal for sale without a DIN. This number would be different than any equivalent registration/approval number in the US or elsewhere.

Suzanne, the medical expense tax credit is claimed at line 330 of Schedule 1 to your federal income tax return. You can claim medical expenses in excess of three per cent of your net income or $1800+ dollars, whichever is less. Then the value of the credit is that amount multiplied by the bottom tax bracket rate (currently 15 per cent). Ontario offers a similar credit, at 6.05 per cent. CRA provides information on the credit, including expenses eligible for the credit; see http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/topics/income-...-350/330/menu-e.html .

Kevin

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone knows for sure if VSL#3DS is available in Canada yet. I'm going back for the holidays, and wouldn't mind picking some up while I'm there.

Is this something that most Doctors give you a Prescription for???