New Hope For Non-Responders

[Magnum]

Just read an exciting article in the Las Vegas paper today. I know this has been passed around before, but I particularly wanted to alert non responders like myself and Susan and others. There is a man who failed three treatments (I failed 4, and Susan more), and afer his Telaprivir trial, he has been virus free for three years.

The cost is suspected at being over $30,000, so insurance is important. This is still much less expensive than a transplant at a typical price of $250,000. So, let's smile at this new hope for us non-responders which is predicted to cure at least 75% of non-responders, and a time line of six months as opposed to eleven months. Look for these drugs release at mid-year. Unfortunately, the awful Ribavirin and Interferon have to be thrown into the mix, but it could be worse. We could be in line for a liver transplant. Hope is a good thing...

Magnum

[susan400]

Since you have Medicaid, Medicaid would pick up your drug costs.  I don't have Medicaid, just Medicare and as such, under Medicare there is no drug coverage, for Medicare A/B unless you are a hospital inpatient.  You have to select a Medicare drug plan under Medicare Part C.  It has a drug formulary and it basically will only cover some of the generic drugs until you hit the 'gap'.  It's too complicated to go into on here.  Basically, unless you go out and purchase a private health care plan to just cover your drugs as a secondary policy, then your stuck with Medicare Part D, which is not very good coverage.  I don't qualify for Medicaid because my assets are more than the allowable when the Soc. Sec. income + husband's small income + car's value are added together it makes me over the cutoff.

Susan400

[Magnum]

I don't know about this confusion, all I can say is that I have Medicare part A & B and Medicaid. I was never refused Riba and Peg on my 4 tries. Maybe it's something the doctor has to write. I know he had to send for approval all 4 times. I hope this doesn't present a problem with the upcoming PI's. Remember, you calso appeal their decision...

Magnum

[susan400]

Medicare is good for tests and things of that nature, however, their drug plan s*cks!  I know because I am a Medicare patient on the Medicare Advantage plan in order to be able to obtain prescription drug coverage you must take the Medicare Part D (which is not good), or have your own private insurance company's drug plan.  The Part D basically only covers Generic drugs and the upper Tier drugs, such as a Pegasys (not covered until you are out of the GAP), has a HUGE co-pay.  Pegasys is not a generic and as such would not be covered until you are out of the GAP.  Ribavirin is generic but is an upper tier drug and has a HUGE co-pay.  The new drugs will not even be included in Medicare Part D's formulary for 2011.  This is the Medicare that I know and love..., not really when it comes to their drug coverage.  Susan400

[HectorSF]

Blondie, and you're still partying at 110? Gee, I thought I knew how to party...
YOU GO GIRL!!!

: )

Hectorsf

[blondie717]

Dont be a party pooper. lol

[Isobella]

Good to hear from a patient's perspective.  My years of working in a doctor's office and dealing with insurance companies has me a bit jaded, so it's nice to know that Medicare works well.  Maybe they can actually pull off the changes in healthcare and we can all get coverage.

Bill...it's always good to see you too!!

Iz

[Bill1954]

Heya Izzy!

That article provides a pretty good overview of the disease and management, but I have to agree with others regarding Medicare. I’ve been on it now for roughly four years, and it’s the best in town; at least from a patient’s perspective. If it could be properly funded, I’d love to see the entire nation receive it.

Good to see you around,

-Bill

[ASTAR1]

What did u mean about Medicare?? I have just gotten my Genotype yesterday 1a and awaiting my Medicaid/Medicare. New to this.
ASTAR1

[pcds]

Medicare and Medicaid are government run insurance.  Personally I would love to have Medicare.  It's the gold standard of health insurance.

[HectorSF]

.."But then, I've always had a deep mistrust of insurance companies-especially those run by the government. "

What medical insurance companies are run by the government?

Hectorsf

[Isobella]

Below is a link to the article.  I was very surprised by the 3rd paragraph.  I've always thought routine screening would never happen because of the potential cost of treating all of those cases that may otherwise have gone undetected.  But then, I've always had a deep mistrust of insurance companies-especially those run by the government.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_HEALTHBEAT_HEPATITIS_C?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[HectorSF]

Hi Magnum -

I don't mean to rain on the parade although the news is very good indeed for "non responders" the data is a little different.

I believe the latest data shows an SVR rate of 29-40% for previous non-responders (depending on the STAT-C drug used) and treatment duration is dependent upon viral load response. I recall the 24 weeks of treatment is only for RVR patients only.

But make no mistake this is a marked improvement compared to SVR and retreating with SOC. (single digit at best)

: )

From the REALIZE study

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/1130_2010_a.html

"In the three major subgroups of people with hepatitis C who had not achieved a viral cure with a prior course of treatment (treatment-experienced):
83% of prior relapsers, 59% of prior partial responders and 29% of prior null responders achieved a viral cure with telaprevir-based combination therapy compared to 24%, 15%, and 5% of people in these subgroups, respectively, who received pegyalted interferon and ribavirin alone."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Previous Nonresponders Benefit From Boceprevir"

http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/gastroenterology/single-article/phase-iii-results-telaprevir-boceprevir-improve-hcv-cure-rates/1eaa61f74a.html

"SVR rates in the control group (SOC meds)
previous relapsers 29%, null responders 7%, and nonresponders 0%  

In the response-guided therapy group
previous relapsers 69%, null responders 40%, and nonresponders 33%

In the fixed-duration group
previous relapsers 75%, null responders 52%, and nonresponders 34% "

HOPE is around the corner!
hectorsf

[nygirl7]

Hopefully the big insurance joe's will see what a real cost savings this is. In addition to transplants just the cost of having to retreat alone is worth it!