But whether you've only had a quick conversation with your assigned nurse or you know his or her name and phone number by heart, it's important you're aware of the full range of support your MS One to One team can provide.
MS One to One Nurses are dedicated to helping anyone with relapsing MS, as well as their care partners, feel supported. A nurse is always available to chat 24/7 and can help you in many ways, including:
Helping you navigate a concern or change with your insurance coverage once you are taking AUBAGIO
- Providing support with prescription refills for AUBAGIO
- Answering questions about potential side effects from taking AUBAGIO
- Answering questions about relapsing MS
- Offering emotional support
Here's just a few examples of the ways MS One to One Nurses have helped others in the AUBAGIO community…
Insurance help is just a phone call away
"I once received a call from a woman who was struggling with some changes in her insurance. She was feeling pretty overwhelmed and wasn't sure how she was going to continue getting her medication," recalls Amber, a MS One to One Nurse. "I told her there were foundations out there that could help her, and asked if I could call around on her behalf. She said yes, and after a little digging I found an organization that would offer her a grant to cover all her costs."
Thanks to one phone call with Amber, this woman went from thinking she'd never be able to afford her therapy to knowing it was completely covered—all in a few hours! A happy ending that stirred up strong emotions for everyone.
When I told her about the grant I found her, she started crying, which made me tearful. It was so touching. As we hung up, I told her what I tell all my patients, "I'm here for you. This kind of stuff is my job."
- Amber, MS One to One nurse
Refill reinforcements
It's possible that at some point you may hit a bump in the road when it comes to your AUBAGIO refills. Changes in insurance coverage or an update to a pharmacy's policies can happen, and when they do it might interrupt prescription fulfillment. It's frustrating, but the good news is MS One to One Nurses are available to help. They work directly with specialty pharmacies every day and speak their language. They're experts who can communicate—and advocate—on your behalf. No matter how big or small the issue may seem, don't hesitate to reach out to MS One to One—they may be able to help you speak to your insurance company and/or pharmacy to iron out the issue.
"I conference into a lot of phone conversations with my patients and their specialty pharmacies or insurance companies," says MS One to One Nurse Beth. "I know how these companies operate and understand their lingo. I can act almost like a translator for patients who might not be familiar with all the medical and insurance terminology. At the end of the day, it leads to clearer communication and is easier for everyone. I'm trained to be a liason. It's my job to ensure that my patients get their medication, and that it's a smooth process. It's just what I do."
I'm trained to be a liaison. It's my job to ensure that my patients get their medication, and that it's a smooth process. “It's just what I do.”
- Beth, MS One to One nurse
Side effect support
Whether you've been on AUBAGIO for a month, or a few years, there's always the chance you may find yourself with questions about side effects. You should always talk to your doctor about any side effect concerns. In addition to connecting with your doctor's office and its staff,MS One to One can also be a great resource for your questions.
"I get plenty of side effect questions, sometimes from people experiencing them, and other times it's people who are just curious about what to look out for," says MS One to One nurse April. "Every call is different, but the one thing they all have in common is they want to talk to a person. Factual information on a brochure or website is extremely valuable in most cases, but sometimes you just need that human touch. I love that I can provide that for my people when they're unsure about side effects."
An ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on
Do you ever feel like you need to talk to someone about your life with relapsing MS? Friends and family can be great sounding boards, but sometimes you're looking to talk with someone who truly understands what it's like. Or you've talked about it so often with your friends or family you're worried about sounding like a broken record to them. No matter the reasons, if you're looking to talk about relapsing MS with a caring, knowledgeable person, consider calling your MS One to One nurse. It's what they're here for.
"I speak with a lot of patients who say their spouses and friends are supportive, but they don't really understand what it's like to live with relapsing MS," says Karen. "I listen and provide emotional support. We talk about their symptoms like fatigue, or about the emotions they're going through when they feel relapsing MS is preventing them from being there for their family as much as they'd like. When we hang up, they often tell me how good it feels to 'talk these things out,' and I'm so glad I can be a part of that process for them."
The people I speak with often tell me how good it feels to "talk these things out," and I'm so glad I can be a part of that process for them.
- Karen, MS One to One nurse
And, even if your interactions are more technical than emotional—like insurance questions or prescription help—don't be surprised if you develop a real bond with your MS One to One nurse over time.
"I had one patient who I talked to a lot when she first started therapy, because she was having a difficult time navigating her type of insurance," remembers April. "I made some calls for her, got her issues all taken care of, and she told me, 'Honey, we got to find some new things for you to help me with… I like talking to you too much for this to end!' Now she calls me just to check in, and we always have such fun conversations. It's a great relationship."
Call any time
Regular MS One to One hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 8:00 pm ET. But, to ensure you're never alone, on-duty nurses are available 24/7 at 1-855-676-6326.