Treatment cost and ideas of where to get started?

[brazeagle]

interferon peguilado alfa-2a 180 mcg/Pegasys and ribavirina pills of 200 ou 250 mg for 24 to 48 weeks from 10,000 to 24,000 US DOLLARS?
Is it possible?
that is the figure my doctor gave me in Brazil.

I don't have a Insurance in Brazil, but I do have Blue Cross in the US.

Any ideas? any doctors I could contact in NY area or Fort Meyers,FL?

Thanks again,

[friole]

Those dollars sound about right.  I don't understand your Blue Cross insurance in the states.  Do  you live state side?  You will have to contact Blue Cross and find out how they will cover you.  There are many different Blue Cross plans.  I had Blue Cross and treatment including the biopsy cost me about $5000 in total.

[brazeagle]

I live in HAITI right now, I am with the UN FORCE.
I am Brazilian but hold US residency.

I do not know exactly what Blue X - PPO is, but I was told if i switch it, that is what it is going to be.

My insurance is VAN BREDA INTERNATIONAL but I can swicth to BLUE CROSS in just one day if i decide to.

Thanks again

[Kalio1]

I'd start with contacting your insurance company, your doctor's office should help you do this or do it for you. If they don't cover it or the copay is too excessive you can contact the drug company at 800 521 7157 see if you can qualify for their program. I too have Blue Cross but had a terrible time getting them to pay for it and the companie's program Commitment to Care picked up the cost and supplies my drugs. The other company that makes interferon is Roche, they too have a program their website is www.pegassist.com, you can find info. about their patient assistance program there.

Some counties are supplying the drugs to locals, (drugs also provided by the drug company) you might check and see if yours does. It's worth a shot.
I'd call the doctor and get them working on your insurance company with you and get ahold of the Commitment to Care program if Blue Cross doesn't come through.

Also ask your doctor if he has any ideas, I know someone that mentioned it to their doctor and the doctor had enough drugs available to supply a major portion of her treatment so it never hurts to ask.

[bobbyullc]

I GOT CLOSER TO $31,000 . $1200 MO / RIBA  AND $1400 PEG. CHECK YOUR BLUE CROSS POLICY. MINE HAD A CLAUSE WHERE "INJECTABLES" WERE EXCLUDED. T

THEY  WOULD PAY FOR A TRANSPLANT.

LOOK AT THE POLICY UNDER EXCLUSIONS.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

And I paid $60 for a 4 week supply under my B/C & B/S policy.....

[Tallahassee]

I'm paying $70 for interferon & riba for 3 month supply.  I have BCBS of FL (PPO)

I'm very happy with them ... except they don't cover anything with fertility treatments, therefore we paid almost $60K for it (!), but some BCBSs from other states cover even that!
If I travel, they should cover it at the same price.  Only Doctors visits will be somewhat higher, because they will be outside of preferred providers.

Good luck & call your insurance!

[friole]

As Kalio said, you need to contact the Blue Cross administrator or get a telephone number so you can find out which plan they have.  There are just so many and all seem to be state oriented.  A PPO means there are specific doctors and hospitals in the network.  You can use doctors and hospitals outside the network but it costs more.
frijole

[nygirl7]

I figured my treatment all cost total involved was well over $100,000.

No where near where the doctors said it would cost. It's not just the interferon/riba but the procrit costs $6000 a box alone and if you need them for the entire cost of treatment with Paxill, Ambien, Neupogen whatever...the med cost alone gets high FAST.

Let alone the biopsy and test and regular doctor appts.

[lab-rat]

My copay would have been around $1100 a month for the peg & copeg...since I wasn't willing to blow that much money I opted not to treat (believing I had that option as a stage 1).  

However, my GI then offered to get 'free sample' meds from the drug company so I could undergo treatment.  I'm not sure what they had to do besides fill out some paperwork, etc.  I didn't have to do anything and income level was never mentioned.  I ended up getting into a clinical trial instead so it was all moot.  But my point is that maybe your doctor could help you get free drugs?