Episode 136: Ocrevus & Other MS Disease-Modifying Therapies and COVID-19 with Dr. Marwa Kaisey

This week, and for the foreseeable future, we're committed to sharing the most updated and reliable information on COVID-19 and MS.

Joining me as my guest is Dr. Marwa Kaisey, an Assistant Professor of Neurology specializing in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

We're talking with Dr. Kaisey about the things that people need to know about Ocrevus, Tecfidera, Gilenya, and other specific MS disease-modifying therapies in light of COVID-19. Dr. Kaisey will also share information about the status of people living with MS who have already been diagnosed with COVID-19.  And we'll even hear about some MS disease-modifying therapies that are being tested as potential treatments for COVID-19.

We'll connect you to the video replay of last Friday's Ask An MS Expert webinar.  I hope you already consider these weekly webinars with leading MS experts answering your questions to be “can't miss” viewing.

We're also talking about the federal government's decision not to re-open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act for 39 states, and we'll tell you which 11 states have re-opened enrollment during the pandemic.

And we'll share the federal government's guidance, reminding states, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities that it's a violation of federal law to withhold medical treatment due to disability. (We're also sharing a link to that document that you can download and keep with you on your phone!)

We'll review the specific provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that MS Activists advocated for. And we'll talk about how COVID-19 is already delaying the development and distribution of new MS disease-modifying therapies.