on medicare no luck w/them approving new tx !!!???

Hello to all!! Talked with CNA yesturday. She said that they wasnt having any luck with medicare approving the telaprevir for txs.She said it could be months b4 I could start txs on that combination. But she is saying there is alot of great success with some free clinical trails right now that would start in a couple of weeks at no cost to me. Cause my cost on medicare is 20% out of my pocket which cant do!!! She said txs are only lasting 12 to 24 weeks & some with no injections just pills. Im just so tired of this hanging over my head & want 2 get started on something & get my life going again. But a little worried how it would effect my fibromyigia which is serve!!!!  Any ideas???
Thanks, Boxerbabs (Paula from ohio)

[nygirl7]

I'm pretty sure that Magnum is on medicare and he was prescribed (finally) as soon as boce was approved.  I'm pretty sure that is the case anyways......

[boxerbabs]

thanks for the responce!! But my Dr. has been wanting me to do the telaprevir. i guess she favors that one over the boce!!! but now shes kinda pushing the clincial trail here at UCincinnati liver clince. Guess i'll just go in an talk with her about it all. weight out the options after the talk!!!!! thanks again

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

I'm not sure if this helps but both Telaprevir and Boceprevir are supported by mfgr's patient assistance programs:

Merck/Boceprevir (Victrelis) patient assistance program:

866-363-6379

http://hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2011/0531_2011_a.html

Vertex/Telaprevir (Incivek) Patient Assistance Program:

855-837-8394

http://hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2011/0531_2011_b.html

Maybe you could give them a call and see if anything is applicable to Medicare patients--

--Bill

[boxerbabs]

thank you for the information Bill. I will be sure to give them a call to see what they say. Will check back with what they say in case somebody else might be having this problem to.
Thanks Boxerbabs