Granted, I am very very grateful for my insurance, which has covered the lion's share of my MS diagnostic costs over the last six months. I would really be lost without it. But that fact does not make insurance *fun* to deal with.

I am trying to start my first DMD, and I looked over the literature provided by my insurance company on drugs and coverage. All the drugs were listed as being "covered with prior authorization," which my doctor said was routine. I picked Tecfidera. He approved of my choice. Well, it turns out that the "prior authorization" step is a weed-out step for my insurance company. The company will not cover Tecfidera until I try the injectible meds. Talked to my doctor's office again about it, was told I could appeal the decision, but that the appeal could take a few weeks to resolve and would likely not come out in my favor. I could then appeal to Biogen to cover the meds, but no guarantees there.

I said no to further appeals and will be starting Rebif whenever my insurance gets around to approving that. I find the interferon drug profiles to be a little frightening, but all of the MS drug profiles are like that, frankly. At least the interferons seem to be safe, if also not terribly effective. My neuro assured me that if the interferon didn't work out, I'd be switched to Copaxone quickly. I thought about just requesting Copaxone initially, but the site reactions for it sound like no fun either. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a long and tedious existence with MS and insurance.