Aa
hepatitis C
My wife is a healthcare worker for many years and recently diagnosised with hepatitis C, first of all she is afraid to tell the people she is employed with that she is sick, afraid of they will dismiss her from her job, we know she contracted it from her occupation.
Second the Dr. told her that the treatment cost about $100,000 and the insurance company inwhich she pays though payroll deduction (at a very high price) BCBS and has declined the claim and cost of the treatment, it was I thought the Obama care was all about, to stop insurance companies from being your final desision, as time goes by i can see my wife struggling everyday to maintain her way of life.
Second the Dr. told her that the treatment cost about $100,000 and the insurance company inwhich she pays though payroll deduction (at a very high price) BCBS and has declined the claim and cost of the treatment, it was I thought the Obama care was all about, to stop insurance companies from being your final desision, as time goes by i can see my wife struggling everyday to maintain her way of life.
Hi Gerald...I have to agree with Pooh "If she is trying to get coverage for the treatment as a regular illness (not work related) then the doctor needs to appeal the treatment denial decision. The insurance co. should pay for the treatment. Some insurance companies try very hard not to pay, but usually if you appeal, they will pay for it. In addition, there is financial help with co-pays and medications if you qualify. "
I was originally denied Vic and my Dr filed the appeal and it was approved in about 3 weeks. So talk to your Dr.
Jules
I was originally denied Vic and my Dr filed the appeal and it was approved in about 3 weeks. So talk to your Dr.
Jules
Welcome to the forum. I think you will find it very helpful.
"she is afraid to tell the people she is employed with that she is sick, afraid of they will dismiss her from her job"
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The employer cannot fire her from her job because she has Hepatitis C. If they tried to fire her, they could be reported for discrimination. She is not a risk to others as long as she does not get her blood into another person's blood stream. Millions of people who are working have Hepatitis C and many of them are health care workers.
"we know she contracted it from her occupation"
-------------------------------------------------
There is actually no way to know this for sure unless the incident (exposure) was reported to occupational health at the time it happened, blood was drawn from the infected patient and was confirmed to have Hep C, there was blood drawn (from your wife) at the time of exposure and it was negative for Hep C, then a subsequent blood was drawn at the appropriate time interval, and that specimen was positive for Hep C. That would be the only way you could document that she contracted Hep C from an occupational exposure. I am not saying that she did not get it from occupational exposure, but there is no way to prove it unless those steps were followed. There are many, many ways to acquire Hep C (unsterile/improperly cleaned dental and medical equipment, acupuncture done ith improperly cleaned equipment, nail salons, nail clippers and toothbrushes, blood and blood products if they are contaminated, rough sex in which blood is exchanged, mother to bay transmission, etc.).
"Second the Dr. told her that the treatment cost about $100,000 and the insurance company which she pays though payroll deduction (at a very high price) BCBS and has declined the claim and cost of the treatment"
-----------------------------------------------
If she told the insurance company that she got the Hep C through work, then they will decline to pay (since it would be considered a work related injury/illness). So she should tell the insurance company that it is NOT work related (unless she followed all of the steps outlined above and can prove that it is work related). If it is work related (and can be proven) then the work place is responsible for payment. But do not go the work related route unless she followed all of the steps outlined above and can prove it. She cannot prove it years down the line if she never reported it in the first place and blood was not drawn and the injury/illness was proven to have appeared after the work related exposure.
If she is trying to get coverage for the treatment as a regular illness (not work related) then the doctor needs to appeal the treatment denial decision. The insurance co. should pay for the treatment. Some insurance companies try very hard not to pay, but usually if you appeal, they will pay for it. In addition, there is financial help with co-pays and medications if you qualify.
"she is afraid to tell the people she is employed with that she is sick, afraid of they will dismiss her from her job"
-------------------------------------------
The employer cannot fire her from her job because she has Hepatitis C. If they tried to fire her, they could be reported for discrimination. She is not a risk to others as long as she does not get her blood into another person's blood stream. Millions of people who are working have Hepatitis C and many of them are health care workers.
"we know she contracted it from her occupation"
-------------------------------------------------
There is actually no way to know this for sure unless the incident (exposure) was reported to occupational health at the time it happened, blood was drawn from the infected patient and was confirmed to have Hep C, there was blood drawn (from your wife) at the time of exposure and it was negative for Hep C, then a subsequent blood was drawn at the appropriate time interval, and that specimen was positive for Hep C. That would be the only way you could document that she contracted Hep C from an occupational exposure. I am not saying that she did not get it from occupational exposure, but there is no way to prove it unless those steps were followed. There are many, many ways to acquire Hep C (unsterile/improperly cleaned dental and medical equipment, acupuncture done ith improperly cleaned equipment, nail salons, nail clippers and toothbrushes, blood and blood products if they are contaminated, rough sex in which blood is exchanged, mother to bay transmission, etc.).
"Second the Dr. told her that the treatment cost about $100,000 and the insurance company which she pays though payroll deduction (at a very high price) BCBS and has declined the claim and cost of the treatment"
-----------------------------------------------
If she told the insurance company that she got the Hep C through work, then they will decline to pay (since it would be considered a work related injury/illness). So she should tell the insurance company that it is NOT work related (unless she followed all of the steps outlined above and can prove that it is work related). If it is work related (and can be proven) then the work place is responsible for payment. But do not go the work related route unless she followed all of the steps outlined above and can prove it. She cannot prove it years down the line if she never reported it in the first place and blood was not drawn and the injury/illness was proven to have appeared after the work related exposure.
If she is trying to get coverage for the treatment as a regular illness (not work related) then the doctor needs to appeal the treatment denial decision. The insurance co. should pay for the treatment. Some insurance companies try very hard not to pay, but usually if you appeal, they will pay for it. In addition, there is financial help with co-pays and medications if you qualify.
Hi Gerald
I found a couple of things of interest
An excerpt from a CDC page
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00055154.htm?mobile=nocontent
Currently, no recommendations exist to restrict professional activities of health-care workers with HCV infection. As recommended for all health-care workers, those who are HCV-positive should follow strict aseptic technique and standard precautions, including appropriate use of hand washing, protective barriers, and care in the use and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments (154,155).
Also are you familiar with Naomi Judd mother of Wynona Judd of the singing duo the the Judd's? She also contracted hep c when she was a nurse. Here is a link about her story:
http://savannahnow.com/stories/100403/LOC_naomi.shtml
Good luck
Lynn
I found a couple of things of interest
An excerpt from a CDC page
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00055154.htm?mobile=nocontent
Currently, no recommendations exist to restrict professional activities of health-care workers with HCV infection. As recommended for all health-care workers, those who are HCV-positive should follow strict aseptic technique and standard precautions, including appropriate use of hand washing, protective barriers, and care in the use and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments (154,155).
Also are you familiar with Naomi Judd mother of Wynona Judd of the singing duo the the Judd's? She also contracted hep c when she was a nurse. Here is a link about her story:
http://savannahnow.com/stories/100403/LOC_naomi.shtml
Good luck
Lynn
Welcome to the forum. This is a great place to get information and support. It is the lifeline for many. Ask Ask and Ask if you want to know. I have been cured of Hepatitis C and glad I treated when I did. The lessons I've learned here made the Hepatitis C journey doable. You can do this and prevail.
Best to you
Best to you
Appeal the insurance decline. That happens often and approved on appeal. In the best interest of your wife...,refrain from tell others. Hepatitis C has a stigma that is far from going away. It's hard to prove where she got it. Unless a claim was made at the time of the accident. It would have had to be an event of exposer that was reported. There is help getting treatment. Take a deep breath and get as much info as possible about hep C. Does your wife have a viral load or just tested positive?
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