No insurance, where to find help in IL

[HepHubby]

My wife has Hepatitis C and is getting sicker. We have no insurance. We live just outside Chicago. Is there any place where we can get help?

[HepHubby]

We live in Cook County. We found that we can go to Cook County Hospital. I went there because of abdominal pain I have been having. The Dr. said he thinks it is my gallbladder, I have to go back for an ultrasound. The scary thing is he said my  liver enzymes are high. The test for hepatitis will take awhile. He said they will tell me when I come in for the ultrasound.

[B-bunch]

Hello,
I live outside Chicago too, I don't have any insurance either. What county do you live in? Each county
has an Access Cook County, I use Access DuPage. They will provide medical care and free parmacueticals as well.I had my thyroid removed for free before I started on my clinical trial with Dr. Yapp. You will be able to have all your blood tests for no charge there. Central DuPage Hospital has a Hepatitis C Support Group run by this incredible Nurse Kelly Hoffmann (my HepC guru) she can hook you up. The 1st Thursday of each month she has her meeting at the hospital with speakers from all over the Chicago area. Give her a call: Kelly Hoffmann 630-399-5709, this is her cell phone. If you can't get through call the Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield,IL.630-933-1600
Also Dr. Rockford Yapp works out of Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove,IL. He is starting a clinical trial right now, 630-434-9312 ask for Joanne Sundstrum his medical manager who runs his clinical trials. They will provide a free liver biopsy before the clinical trial, which is great.

Illinois Liver Foundation has a website with a list of all the Hepatologists in the area and a list of all up coming clinical trials. Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago was a great doctor Dr. Steven Flamm 312-695-0652 ask for Mary Kozlowski his nurse clinition. Northwestern has a financial Assistance program 312-695-2262 ask for LaToya, the financial assistance Supervisor's name's are Yvette Tucker/Vicki Stokes 312-695-4604. Sometimes LaToya is a little overworked.

Good Luck.
Don't forget about Commitment to Care 800-521-7157
and Procrit 800-553-5851. These are free, you just need a doctor to prescribe and Access DuPage for provide blood tests.

[orphanedhawk]

All the big pharmaceutical companies have programs for receiving their medicines for free if you have no insurance, as meki mentioned. Do phone around to hospitals and universities. Find one with a liver clinic and ask if they have any charity care. Don't be timid, call the best first. Then be sure and find out what it covered by their program. Besides the meds, your wife will need to see a heptologist and have lab work done.  
     The other option is for her to do a clinical trial. They are very specific about requirements,( genotype, labs etc) but will pay all expenses.
    Good luck.

[Catll]

You got pretty good advices.

[l-horn]

Schering Committment to Care program. 1-800-521-7157

Print out this application and fill it out.

http://www.schering-plough.com/pdf/commitapp.pdf

Fax it to: 800-683-7855

[Tippyclubb]

You might want to consider doing a clinical trial--its all free.

clinicaltrials.gov

type in hepatitis c and where you live then do search

[hightrekker]

I am on patient assistance with Roche (I have lived outside the corporate feudal system, and can never integrate myself into a buraracy). They were very cooperative. Personally, I find I get better care at clinics (more time, committed doctors and nurses, not under the constraints of "managed care")--
It is doable, you must just advocate for yourself, and maybe jump through a few hoops---
Your wife will get care.

[meki]

First call the pharmaceutical companies - they have assistance.

Second check with your welfare - church - public assistance agencies.

Third - check with Salvation Army.

The Pharmaceutical Companies have EXCELLENT assistance programs - especially Pegassist.

If your doctor has ordered Treatment - you should be able to qualify for assistance from some of those agencies.

Don't be too proud - go get  the assistance now.

Especially if she is getting sick. Go to a doctor - doesn't matter which one - advise that you have no medical - no health and no money.

Also - Go to welfare agencies and advise them the same.

YOU CANNOT BE KEPT FROM MEDICAL TREATMENT - REGARDLESS OF YOUR MONETARY SITUATION.

Good luck.

Meki