Qualatative Quantative Heptimax jeez.....

I know this has been asked before and further down even but i'm still confused.

I had 1 week post tx labs done today.
backstory is i'm uninsured. i wanted doc to just wait and let me do 4 week but he wouldn't..
the order form called for all the usual cbc stuff etc but also for Heptimax, which i know is the most sensitive, but also for Qualatitive pcr AND a Quantative pcr.
Well it totaled $1400.00!!!!!!! I almost had a heart attack. i refused the Qualatative and the Quantative and got it reduced to 700.00 by deleting those.
Was I right? Can't i just do the heptimax and get the same info. ie detectable or undetectable? or did i delete a test i needed in addition...

thanks,
tracy

[ladybug52]

Well, based on what Jmjm told me time and again, I asked for the heptimax since it is so sensitive. Why would you need anything else? Did they reduce the cost any because you don't have ins? The quantitative real time pcr tests to <50. The heptimax tests to <5. I think you did the right thing as the paying consumer.

[jmjm530]

You were right cause the tests were redundant. Heptimax is all you need and you should be able to  negotiate a price directly with Quest for around $350 if you explain it's coming out of your own pocket. Ask to speak to a supervisor.

Alternatively, you might be able to negotiate an even better deal with Quest's
"HCV RNA Qualitative TMA".

Both are sensitive down to 5 IU/ml and either should do the trick post treatment.

Also, if it was coming out of my pocket, I wouldn't test viral load one week post treatment unless my plan was to jump right back into treatment if I relapsed.
From a financial point of view, testing four weeks post treatment makes a lot more sense. One week is really too early and the only thing it will tell you for sure is if you relapsed, it is a few weeks early for predicting SVR compared to the 4 week test.

All the best,

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

last sentence a little unclear... what I meant to say was that a one week post treatment viral load test will only tell with certainty if you relapsed. It will not tell with much certainty if you're going to relapse. On the other hand, a negative four-week post treatment viral load test can tell you with around 90 per cent certainty that you will not relapse.

[dylmar]

thanks alot. i really appreciate the response.
my doc is virtually clueless. when i first started tx i asked for 4 week pcr and he said no. he'd never heard of that before. i wanted to wait to do this pcr at 4 weeks post knowing it be far more revealing that 1 week post. again, he'd never heard of that either. unbelievable how far behind the curve some of these docs are...
thanks again.
tracy

[jmjm530]

Testing at weeks 4, 12 and 24 weeks post treatment is all you need and some might argue that the 24 week test is all you need although frankly I couldn't wait that long myself so I tested at weeks 3,6, 12 and 24 BUT  my insurance also paid for it.

[sfbaygirl]

My Doc also seemed clueless as to a 4 week Pcr. Do I understand you are post tx now? My dr. wanted to do a 12 week PCR during tx and then a 48 week PCR...this just isn't enough. I would call you ins. co and find out what they pay for...okay, just read that you are paying for this all. I agree totally with Jmjm, the first ones are the most important! Afterwards I would get a 2 week PCR if you plan on retreating right away, otherwise the 4 week post would be the way to go. Good luck!

[dylmar]

thank you thank you.
you are right. i am POST tx. yay!!!!!!!
and no. i will definently not retreat right away.
was stage 2, hopefully less now. so i will wait if this one
doesn't work.
read about your house and the fire! at least you're all okay. scary stuff.
i'd love to stay in a luxury hotel w/ a spa for a month or two.
i guess i mean i'd love it if it was just me and the hubby.
wouldn't love it at all w/ the kids and the dogs. lol.
hope you're doing well. hang in there.
tracy

[returntosender]

My last Heptimax was $464 and the UntraQual was $439.  I prefer Labcorp and will be going there for the UltraQual for future post tx testing. Interesting thing was the amount my personal choice paid for the tests - $31 for the UltraQual and $47 for the Heptimax.  I had no co-pay for either one.  Given the amount they receive from insurance companies, I would think they would be happy to negotiate on these things.

[sfbaygirl]

Great you went the distance and are post tx. I can't wait to get there. The hotel is already getting old, I want to be home! But I suppose if I have to be somewhere this sure beats Motel 6. We got a microwave and frig. The pool is a lifesaver with the child. I have my grandkids coming Sat nite, so I hope I can keep them occupied ! Thanks for asking!