Cost for treatment

Does it cost much for the treatment?

[FlGuy]

You posted a while back and seemed unsure of testing results.  We you able to get any further info or results?  You can always ask your doctor for copies of any test results.

[bobbyullc]

my shots were $419 a week and the pills were $300 a week. my insurance would not pay for the injections. the drug company has a program called COMMITMENT TO CARE that will pay all or part if you qualify. good luck.
bobby

[cougareyes]

Without insurance it is very expensive. The retail cost for the tx drugs is over $3000/mo. The intervention drugs if ever necessary are also really expensive. Doctors visits of course, specialist visit where I live is about $165. Frequent blood test, the pcr test alone I believe is over $500. When everything is said and done I believe my total treatment cost is about $5000/mo, and I'm on no intervention drugs.
There are programs out there to help you, if you don't have insurance and need help. The two best places to start are www.beincharge.com(peg-intron) and www.pegassist.com(pegasys). Good Luck

[v eggie dip]

hey coug, how's it going?

I had no idea the cost of the tx was that high!!!  holy macaroni!!!

[NYgirl]

Found out last night that 10 tx of Procrit - they are billing $6,000.

What a fight with my insurance company, in fact I can't even get the meds until tomorrow instead of today because of all the hassle.

and that's just an "extra" that we can throw in on top of our interferon type tx.

[cougareyes]

My doctor told me it was up to me to determine what I can and can not do; and I wholeheartedly agree. Getting up and about is very important, but so is resting. If you are operating at a low HGB count, be careful yet risk your brain of even more oxygen depletion. Low wbc and anc you don't want to push yourself to to a sinus or respritory infection. Yet you don't want your muscles wasting away, and a little activity will help with the aches and pains. And don't let people tell you it's just your attitude, because if that was the case our blood chemistry would mean nothing. I'm in week 15 and I work 2 days a week and other than that not a whole lot. We do what we can and don't feel guilty about what we can't.     Peace

[friole]

You bring up something I have been thinking about for awhile. I have good insurance, so don't have these worries, but I do wonder how everyone is managing who does not have insurance.  I know the pharmaceutical companies are very helpful for the meds, but what about all the lab work, doctor's visits, and what about the extra prescriptions - antidepressants, pain pills, and most especially, Procrit and Neupogen.  How is everyone without insurance coping with this?

I also have not heard anyone on the board say if the companies that make the PRocrit and Neupogen offer eny help to the uninsured or under insured.

My PCR's cost about $400 and the CBC's cost about $50.  Doctor's appointments vary, but, other than the initial cost, the fees billed to the insurance company don't seem to be too high.

And then there is the biopsy?  I have been wondering about this, since I had a laproscopic surgical biopsy - and it cost in total, about $2600 -- how much does the needle biopsy cost?

Just curious, me being the old anal retentive accountant type
bean counter.
Friole

[NYgirl]

Good for you.  I have to be serious with you. I am TOO tired to even get up and take a walk.  Most days I can barely make it from my car to my desk. If I did not have a desk job I could not handle this at all.

It really does s*ck but we have to stick together or we'd all drown.  I've found whenever I am feeling really down just coming in here and talking to people...helps me regain my focus.

PS you are a smart guy - girls DO handle things like this better that's why God has us have babies ;-)

I do like being the whining crybaby sometimes...like as soon as I get in the door tonight and lay on my bed for example - my favorite new hobby!

[friole]

I am with New S here.  If you can force yourself to do a little, I think it helps.  Now, if you are dizzy to the point of fainting, I don't think you will be able to but any walking (my excercise of choice too) would be good.  I am sorry you are having such a rough first couple of weeks and I do hope it evens out soon.  You should get a CBC after two weeks.  If you haven't had one, call your doc for one.  You need to monitor those blood counts.
Best wishes, Friole

[GoofyDad]

..." girls handle these things better than guys" OMG - haven't I heard that before. LOL

Anyway, as for when does it get better? Different for everyone I suppose, but I had a real slump about halfway through week 2. Week 1 was good, and knock wood, week 4 is pretty OK. I couldn't frame houses (how ya doing adoubter), or clear hillsides (strator, you out there?), but I'm managing pretty well. Enjoy it while I can I suppose.

I try to make a point out of walking no matter what, even when I can limp along just a couple blocks. If I'm feeling bad I make sure there's someone close a cell call away.

TIP: I keep one of those big thera-balls in the living room, and hop on it several times a day. Sometimes its just a few minutes of stretchnig, sometimes I can manage a couple set's of crunches or some push-ups. It's handy though, and having it in sight makes me stop and take a turn.

I'm thinking about getting one of those heart monitors. My baseline resting point is 55-60, but on tx I'm often at 80-85 at rest. Walking can easily put me over 100, which is like aerobic for me. Has anyone used one? I guess I'll see what they're hawking on ebay. I admire what New Sojourn does, but for me to go plowing up a hill right now in my semi-anemic state would, I think, be irresponsible.    

friole, I look to you as the beacon I'm following. I hope your hgb takes an uptick this week, and you can keep at your 3 miles. In anycase, keep up your good spirits. I'll be waiting to hear.

[Chriskid]

Hey it was great out there.  The weather is kinda brisk here on Cape Cod and it finally stopped raining after 5 days.

Really appreciate the words of wisdom, compassion and experience.  Goof, I must be going through what you went through in week two.  Maybe I

[dammitjanet]

My ultrasound assisted needle biopsy was $4350.05.  But cquest says that my hospital charges are way out of bounds.  DJ

[Chriskid]

What exactly is a CBC?  I have a GI who basically said

[cougareyes]

Thanks for asking, I'm slowly coming to terms with "cougareyes - this is your life", for the next 8mo. on tx then detox this **** out of me. Even though I was slowing down before tx, I'm was still much more active than most people. So I'm going crazy. At least I'm not in torture anymore, I'm now just a useless zombie. Everything seems to be evening out, so I have confidence that I will make the distance. Sad but true, some of us really do have to put our lives on hold during tx; but it is only a year for the rest of my HCV-free life.
I know you're still waiting on results, the waiting game is torture. I have a feeling you're going to have some positive results. Good Luck      Peace

[Chriskid]

Hey Coug, I have a question about my couch.  Any idea when I'll get off it?  Week two has me camped out in the living room. Should I be forcing myself to go take a walk? Seems to me other folks have mentioned week 4 is when things get more tolerable.  Any comments/words of encouragement?  Anybody?

[NYgirl]

God you are lucky to be on your couch. I am at work. I wish more than anything my couch was here!  LOL.

I'm sure you will know when you'll give up the couch and nobody else can really tell you - enjoy it while you can!  It's the one perk of treatment, watching tv and resting!

;-)

Debby

[Chriskid]

Yeah but you're a girl, girls handle these things better than guys.

Seriously, I'm having a problem imagining myself working under these conditions.  I sold my company last June.  Not enough to completely retire on at age 52, but I don't have to worry about the next year.  Which is why I'm taking this poison now.

I'm going for a walk and see what happens.

[avidreader]

Well--good luck. These meds have side effects that need to be monitored--in some cases without intervention they can be life threatening. Where on the Cape are you? I lived in P-town till I was about 4 and then spent summers in Eastham/Wellfleet/Truro from the time I was about 12 years old on. Still go back to N. Truro every summer and somtime still think of moving there. (I'm 54, but on treatment, I'm ready to retire tomorrow!)

[GoofyDad]

A CBC is the standard blood test that checks, among other things, your white blood counts, yuor hemoglobin level, and your platelete counts. Minimally, this should be done every 2 weeks. You should get copies.

My doc rarely sees me (every other month at the begining), but they watch my CBCs and I'm in contact at leat twice a week.

I hope they're monitoring your blood work, and maybe you just didn't know the term CBC?

I've been thinking about the work involved in managing tx, and what little the docs get. In my case, the office I'm now with has billed for 2 office visits. This is not a profit center.

[go-girl]

Gee that seems like alot of $$$$$$ how far does $6000 take you, a month or what? I was told $800 for a pkg of six that carries you for two wks, $1600 a month, I thought that was pricey. I'd posted a few days ago if there was a cheaper alternative to procrit, didn't get any feed back! Does anybody know? Am making notes on it all will be starting tx in a  week or two, thanx

[avidreader]

Did he perhaps mean that you would be followed by an NP or PA for routine care and only see him every few months?

I know that I see a nurse practitioner every month for normal visits. I only get CBC's monthly because that is all my insurance will approve. The last time I 'officially' saw my doctor was in early July and I'm not scheduled to see him again until January, but I don't feel ignored or undertreated (within the limits of my insurance.) My doc's office seem to genuinely function as a team--even the receptionists can answer many of my questions although I do get: "You'll have to ask the doctor about that" more often then I would like.

I am reminded though that I can call the office any time with any problems/questions. He also will see me if needed when I get my 12 week PCR results (again, the first one that my insurance would pay for.) Basically, I gather that the 'as needed' is if I am not responding or responding slowly so that we can discuss next steps/decisions re: treatment.  

Anyway, I would consider the amount of care and monitoring I am getting to be the absolute minimum necessary for safety. Any practice that offers less then that would be very suspect in my mind.

Good luck--I hope you get the support and good medical advice you need to fight this battle.

Tracy

[Chriskid]

I'm not sure what the hell he meant.  But I took it as, this really isn't a big deal so you won't be needing a lot of monitoring.

I think I'll copy some of these posts and bring them to my first appt after starting tx on Nov 8.  Hopefully I'm not falling down sick by that point.

[new-sojourn]

Yeah, get up and take a walk!  W/in days of being discharged from icu after a massive varies bleed and liver failure, I got up off my lazy butt and took my dogs for a walk-a long brisk walk.

Something or it might have been God, told me that if I didn't start walking I would die.  I've never stopped walking since-I mean a long hard walk w/border collies-not a stroll around whatever w/a latte @ the end.

Vegging out will only make things worse.  Even healthy people get rrestless, achy, fatiqued, etc when forced to be inactive.  So  if tx makes you feel like that, giving into laziness w/ a reason will only make all the things worse.

[GoofyDad]

Have you had a blood test? Is one scheduled prior to 11/8? I'd call and ask for one. Or go see your PCP. Good luck.

[Chriskid]

Avid, I

[NYgirl]

They told me that the $6000 covered the treatment.  I know they are sending me ten.  Is it for the entire treatment another 44 weeks? I dont know but that sounds more reasonable.

The only thing that makes me think NOT and that it's for only the TEN is that the pharmacy absolutely would not fill it until THEY were guaranteed by the insurance company that they would pay for all ten (not the four the ins co originally said they would cover) because the packs come with ten in them and they said cost $6000 and they would NOT get stuck with the cost.

I thought it unbelievable too but am still waiting to start as they did not come in this morning. I am going to go ahead and figure it out tonight by myself with Jims notes cause I just can't wait anymore until next week.  It's too hard right now.

[friole]

Glad you took that walk; I bet it smelled great.  I spoke to my brother in West Chatman yesterday.  He said it was stormy.

Chris, it sounds like your GI is taking this too lightly.  It's not that you have to see him that many times but you do need your white blood counts and red counts monitored very frequently during the first 8 weeks of treatment.  The Interferon does destroy the white blood cells, thus making it hard for your body to fight infection.  The Ribavirin explodes red blood cells and makes you anemic.  When that happens, the red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells. THat is what wipes us out and makes us too tired to get up from the couch.  And believe you me, it is not just the sissys that the ribavirin ko's

First you need to find a CBC from before you treated.  This is your baseline. Have you had your blood drawn maybe for a normal physical prior to the diagnosis?

Next you need to call the GI and ask him to order you a CBC now.  My doc gives me an order for 5 CBC's - one every other week.  Right now I am doing them weekly because the counts are low. (I will do #14 tonight)Another thing, have the doctor write on the orders that the lab is to fax or mail a copy of the lab work directly to you.

When you get some blood work, post it here.  The important numbers for the reds are the hgb - hemoglobin, and ANC - absolute neutrifils for the whites.


My doctor referred me to a hemotologist to monitor the blood - that is a blood specialist.  I feel in good hands with her.  If you can get a referral, I suggest it.

You need to get copies of ALL tests run so far.  Do you know what your viral load and genotype are? Thru this forum I have learned that we must advocate and be assertive.  Believe me, they are sick of me at the GI's office.

The bottom line is that you may need additional medicines to keep you on treatment at the maximum doseage.  I know, that is not what you want to hear right now, but, as you get into this farther you will wish for them.

Here's too success
friole

[friole]

Did my 3 miles this morning.  So far so good.  hgb up to 11.7 yesterday so I am hanging in there.  In case you didn't catch it on whatever thread I posted tho, the ANC is down so I will probably be joining the Neup shooters very soon.  

By the way, except for those paltry little 3 miles 5 times a week, I lead a pretty sedintary life.  Desk job, hobby is quilting - also a sitting thing, and way too much tv. So if I am the beacon, we are all in trouble!

friole

[Chriskid]

All right I guess I

[go-girl]

I would be interested to know, post it when you find out, just curious. I hope you get it soon so your able to feel better, it takes a couple of weeks to kick in, doesn't it, or did I read posts wrong? I've asked the question a few times now, whether there is another alternative to Procrit, no one has answered so I guess either nobody knows or there isn't an other choice, maybe thats why its so damn expensive, they have a monopoly on it, do you suppose? Can you not just get procrit at your pharmacy, thats where I will get mine if needed once I start tx wich is around the 24th of Oct.

Good luck, hope you have a speedy delivery on your meds

[friole]

Sounds like your doc just has a case of the god complex.  He assumes that he is in control and does not have to tell you anything.  I am also a 1a and started with a VL of 1.52million.  At my 4 wk PCR it was downt to 2320 and I am waiting for the results of my 12 wk PCR which I am hoping will be clear.

Let me give you an example of why you need to be in charge of your labs.  I took a CBC (regular blood test to check the ANC and hgb) on Oct 6th.  The doc okayed it for me to get the results directly from the lab, but the lab says they need a letter signed from the doc and won't do it.  Anyway after 6 days, I parked myself in the GI's office until she got the results from the lab.  They were holding them up until the PCR got back (and that may take 2 weeks).  Meanwhile that lab that took 6 days, showed my whites and reds to be lower than they ever had been, and the doc wanted me to confer with the hemo (blood doc).  Point is, if I did not take charge, no one would know even yet what those labs were because the PCR is still not out yet.  Meanwhile , the scheduler is so sick of me, that she is (supposedly) getting that letter signed so she won't have to deal with me again.

Do get copies of all that work.  Especially the VL and genotype test and a pretreat CBC.  

Enjoy,
Kathy

[cheddar]

hi, am over from England for 6 months visiting my boyfriend so not on any US healthcare plans and need to go to the doctors to get a mole checked.  I have travel insurance but have been told that having a mole checked & any testing required is not covered as not a "medical emergency" and so will obviously have to pay myself. Do not want to leave it 6 months til I go home to have it checked out and am trying to find out how much medical stuf costs here - Does anyone have any idea how much it costs on average if not covered by medicare to
(1) see your doctor
(2) have a biopsy/test, if necessary

Any comments gratefully received
Thanks
:-)

[cheddar]

hi again, just found where my questioin was posted. Had selected "cost for treatment" as thats my query but looks as if I managed to post on the hepatitis site instead of tests / skin cancer site. Sorry bout that folks! Still if any of you have any info....

[mariamc]

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/07/05/hepatitis_c_epidemic_where_is_the_virus.htm

[mariamc]

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/07/05/hepatitis_c_epidemic_where_is_the_virus.htm