Help with paying for Hep C medicine

[PLD088]

Please help, I have Hep C I need the medicine and I cannot afford it. It would be over 1000 a month, I have insurance this is what I will pay out of pocket. I am not working now, I have diabetes too, I have been sick all winter I need this bad, I am a single mother and my kids need me. I can barely make the mortgage, electric, phone, and a loan, as well as diabetes medicine. that is 50.00 a month please help Me. I am scared and want to take this medicine. I have had this for a while, Dr said it would cost approx 12,000.00 for a year treatment. possibly more than that now. I do not know what to do.

[NorthIdaho54]

I'm one of those "no medical insurance" gals too and currently on the Pegassist program and get the shots and meds at no charge but I am responsible for the blood work and dr. office calls during treatment. Ask your dr or nurse for the application and they will submit it for you or call them directly (Bill has included the phone # above, the correct # is the Genotech not Roche).

If you haven't had a biopsy yet go to your local hospital and apply for assistance there before you go in. I was unaware of such a program when I had mine but they have made arrangements for a 5 year payment plan.

Yes, the cost of having Hep C is expensive but the cost of NOT getting treatment is even higher.

My heart goes out to you and your kids, just know you are not alone in this. Rhonda

[Mary4now]

Hi,
First of all what is your genotype? have you had a biopsy done to determine what level of damage your liver has?
can you get yourself into a study in your local hospital?
I ask about your genotype to possibly determine what kind of treatment and your damage to determine if you can wait a bit.
let us know
Mary4now

[Resilient_Mimi]

I spoke with my MD and I think you can contact the provider of your meds, like for instance..."Pegassist" that is the type of interferon I'll start in July2011.  If Im not mistaken you can contact them and they have med for people that dont have the money to buy it.  I hope this helps!

[Bill1954]

Both HCV drug manufacturers provide patient assistance programs to help with the cost of meds; you should call them even if they state publicly that they only cover patients that are uninsured; they previously also covered those that are under insured.

These numbers might be a bit dated, so if they don’t work be sure to Google search the programs by name and you’ll get new phone numbers if needed:

Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-866-422-2377

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

I had both Medicare and supplemental insurance, and Commitment to Care covered all my meds 100%; no copays, deductibles, etc.

Good luck and let us know how things work,

Bill