Aa
Cost for treatment
Does it cost much for the treatment?
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/07/05/hepatitis_c_epidemic_where_is_the_virus.htm
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/07/05/hepatitis_c_epidemic_where_is_the_virus.htm
hi, am over from England for 6 months visiting my boyfriend so not on any US healthcare plans and need to go to the doctors to get a mole checked. I have travel insurance but have been told that having a mole checked & any testing required is not covered as not a "medical emergency" and so will obviously have to pay myself. Do not want to leave it 6 months til I go home to have it checked out and am trying to find out how much medical stuf costs here - Does anyone have any idea how much it costs on average if not covered by medicare to
(1) see your doctor
(2) have a biopsy/test, if necessary
Any comments gratefully received
Thanks
:-)
(1) see your doctor
(2) have a biopsy/test, if necessary
Any comments gratefully received
Thanks
:-)
hi again, just found where my questioin was posted. Had selected "cost for treatment" as thats my query but looks as if I managed to post on the hepatitis site instead of tests / skin cancer site. Sorry bout that folks! Still if any of you have any info....
Sounds like your doc just has a case of the god complex. He assumes that he is in control and does not have to tell you anything. I am also a 1a and started with a VL of 1.52million. At my 4 wk PCR it was downt to 2320 and I am waiting for the results of my 12 wk PCR which I am hoping will be clear.
Let me give you an example of why you need to be in charge of your labs. I took a CBC (regular blood test to check the ANC and hgb) on Oct 6th. The doc okayed it for me to get the results directly from the lab, but the lab says they need a letter signed from the doc and won't do it. Anyway after 6 days, I parked myself in the GI's office until she got the results from the lab. They were holding them up until the PCR got back (and that may take 2 weeks). Meanwhile that lab that took 6 days, showed my whites and reds to be lower than they ever had been, and the doc wanted me to confer with the hemo (blood doc). Point is, if I did not take charge, no one would know even yet what those labs were because the PCR is still not out yet. Meanwhile , the scheduler is so sick of me, that she is (supposedly) getting that letter signed so she won't have to deal with me again.
Do get copies of all that work. Especially the VL and genotype test and a pretreat CBC.
Enjoy,
Kathy
Let me give you an example of why you need to be in charge of your labs. I took a CBC (regular blood test to check the ANC and hgb) on Oct 6th. The doc okayed it for me to get the results directly from the lab, but the lab says they need a letter signed from the doc and won't do it. Anyway after 6 days, I parked myself in the GI's office until she got the results from the lab. They were holding them up until the PCR got back (and that may take 2 weeks). Meanwhile that lab that took 6 days, showed my whites and reds to be lower than they ever had been, and the doc wanted me to confer with the hemo (blood doc). Point is, if I did not take charge, no one would know even yet what those labs were because the PCR is still not out yet. Meanwhile , the scheduler is so sick of me, that she is (supposedly) getting that letter signed so she won't have to deal with me again.
Do get copies of all that work. Especially the VL and genotype test and a pretreat CBC.
Enjoy,
Kathy
I would be interested to know, post it when you find out, just curious. I hope you get it soon so your able to feel better, it takes a couple of weeks to kick in, doesn't it, or did I read posts wrong? I've asked the question a few times now, whether there is another alternative to Procrit, no one has answered so I guess either nobody knows or there isn't an other choice, maybe thats why its so damn expensive, they have a monopoly on it, do you suppose? Can you not just get procrit at your pharmacy, thats where I will get mine if needed once I start tx wich is around the 24th of Oct.
Good luck, hope you have a speedy delivery on your meds
Good luck, hope you have a speedy delivery on your meds
Did my 3 miles this morning. So far so good. hgb up to 11.7 yesterday so I am hanging in there. In case you didn't catch it on whatever thread I posted tho, the ANC is down so I will probably be joining the Neup shooters very soon.
By the way, except for those paltry little 3 miles 5 times a week, I lead a pretty sedintary life. Desk job, hobby is quilting - also a sitting thing, and way too much tv. So if I am the beacon, we are all in trouble!
friole
By the way, except for those paltry little 3 miles 5 times a week, I lead a pretty sedintary life. Desk job, hobby is quilting - also a sitting thing, and way too much tv. So if I am the beacon, we are all in trouble!
friole
Glad you took that walk; I bet it smelled great. I spoke to my brother in West Chatman yesterday. He said it was stormy.
Chris, it sounds like your GI is taking this too lightly. It's not that you have to see him that many times but you do need your white blood counts and red counts monitored very frequently during the first 8 weeks of treatment. The Interferon does destroy the white blood cells, thus making it hard for your body to fight infection. The Ribavirin explodes red blood cells and makes you anemic. When that happens, the red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells. THat is what wipes us out and makes us too tired to get up from the couch. And believe you me, it is not just the sissys that the ribavirin ko's
First you need to find a CBC from before you treated. This is your baseline. Have you had your blood drawn maybe for a normal physical prior to the diagnosis?
Next you need to call the GI and ask him to order you a CBC now. My doc gives me an order for 5 CBC's - one every other week. Right now I am doing them weekly because the counts are low. (I will do #14 tonight)Another thing, have the doctor write on the orders that the lab is to fax or mail a copy of the lab work directly to you.
When you get some blood work, post it here. The important numbers for the reds are the hgb - hemoglobin, and ANC - absolute neutrifils for the whites.
My doctor referred me to a hemotologist to monitor the blood - that is a blood specialist. I feel in good hands with her. If you can get a referral, I suggest it.
You need to get copies of ALL tests run so far. Do you know what your viral load and genotype are? Thru this forum I have learned that we must advocate and be assertive. Believe me, they are sick of me at the GI's office.
The bottom line is that you may need additional medicines to keep you on treatment at the maximum doseage. I know, that is not what you want to hear right now, but, as you get into this farther you will wish for them.
Here's too success
friole
Chris, it sounds like your GI is taking this too lightly. It's not that you have to see him that many times but you do need your white blood counts and red counts monitored very frequently during the first 8 weeks of treatment. The Interferon does destroy the white blood cells, thus making it hard for your body to fight infection. The Ribavirin explodes red blood cells and makes you anemic. When that happens, the red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells. THat is what wipes us out and makes us too tired to get up from the couch. And believe you me, it is not just the sissys that the ribavirin ko's
First you need to find a CBC from before you treated. This is your baseline. Have you had your blood drawn maybe for a normal physical prior to the diagnosis?
Next you need to call the GI and ask him to order you a CBC now. My doc gives me an order for 5 CBC's - one every other week. Right now I am doing them weekly because the counts are low. (I will do #14 tonight)Another thing, have the doctor write on the orders that the lab is to fax or mail a copy of the lab work directly to you.
When you get some blood work, post it here. The important numbers for the reds are the hgb - hemoglobin, and ANC - absolute neutrifils for the whites.
My doctor referred me to a hemotologist to monitor the blood - that is a blood specialist. I feel in good hands with her. If you can get a referral, I suggest it.
You need to get copies of ALL tests run so far. Do you know what your viral load and genotype are? Thru this forum I have learned that we must advocate and be assertive. Believe me, they are sick of me at the GI's office.
The bottom line is that you may need additional medicines to keep you on treatment at the maximum doseage. I know, that is not what you want to hear right now, but, as you get into this farther you will wish for them.
Here's too success
friole
They told me that the $6000 covered the treatment. I know they are sending me ten. Is it for the entire treatment another 44 weeks? I dont know but that sounds more reasonable.
The only thing that makes me think NOT and that it's for only the TEN is that the pharmacy absolutely would not fill it until THEY were guaranteed by the insurance company that they would pay for all ten (not the four the ins co originally said they would cover) because the packs come with ten in them and they said cost $6000 and they would NOT get stuck with the cost.
I thought it unbelievable too but am still waiting to start as they did not come in this morning. I am going to go ahead and figure it out tonight by myself with Jims notes cause I just can't wait anymore until next week. It's too hard right now.
The only thing that makes me think NOT and that it's for only the TEN is that the pharmacy absolutely would not fill it until THEY were guaranteed by the insurance company that they would pay for all ten (not the four the ins co originally said they would cover) because the packs come with ten in them and they said cost $6000 and they would NOT get stuck with the cost.
I thought it unbelievable too but am still waiting to start as they did not come in this morning. I am going to go ahead and figure it out tonight by myself with Jims notes cause I just can't wait anymore until next week. It's too hard right now.
Have you had a blood test? Is one scheduled prior to 11/8? I'd call and ask for one. Or go see your PCP. Good luck.
Yeah, get up and take a walk! W/in days of being discharged from icu after a massive varies bleed and liver failure, I got up off my lazy butt and took my dogs for a walk-a long brisk walk.
Something or it might have been God, told me that if I didn't start walking I would die. I've never stopped walking since-I mean a long hard walk w/border collies-not a stroll around whatever w/a latte @ the end.
Vegging out will only make things worse. Even healthy people get rrestless, achy, fatiqued, etc when forced to be inactive. So if tx makes you feel like that, giving into laziness w/ a reason will only make all the things worse.
Something or it might have been God, told me that if I didn't start walking I would die. I've never stopped walking since-I mean a long hard walk w/border collies-not a stroll around whatever w/a latte @ the end.
Vegging out will only make things worse. Even healthy people get rrestless, achy, fatiqued, etc when forced to be inactive. So if tx makes you feel like that, giving into laziness w/ a reason will only make all the things worse.
Thanks for asking, I'm slowly coming to terms with "cougareyes - this is your life", for the next 8mo. on tx then detox this **** out of me. Even though I was slowing down before tx, I'm was still much more active than most people. So I'm going crazy. At least I'm not in torture anymore, I'm now just a useless zombie. Everything seems to be evening out, so I have confidence that I will make the distance. Sad but true, some of us really do have to put our lives on hold during tx; but it is only a year for the rest of my HCV-free life.
I know you're still waiting on results, the waiting game is torture. I have a feeling you're going to have some positive results. Good Luck Peace
I know you're still waiting on results, the waiting game is torture. I have a feeling you're going to have some positive results. Good Luck Peace
Hey Coug, I have a question about my couch. Any idea when I'll get off it? Week two has me camped out in the living room. Should I be forcing myself to go take a walk? Seems to me other folks have mentioned week 4 is when things get more tolerable. Any comments/words of encouragement? Anybody?
God you are lucky to be on your couch. I am at work. I wish more than anything my couch was here! LOL.
I'm sure you will know when you'll give up the couch and nobody else can really tell you - enjoy it while you can! It's the one perk of treatment, watching tv and resting!
;-)
Debby
I'm sure you will know when you'll give up the couch and nobody else can really tell you - enjoy it while you can! It's the one perk of treatment, watching tv and resting!
;-)
Debby
Yeah but you're a girl, girls handle these things better than guys.
Seriously, I'm having a problem imagining myself working under these conditions. I sold my company last June. Not enough to completely retire on at age 52, but I don't have to worry about the next year. Which is why I'm taking this poison now.
I'm going for a walk and see what happens.
Seriously, I'm having a problem imagining myself working under these conditions. I sold my company last June. Not enough to completely retire on at age 52, but I don't have to worry about the next year. Which is why I'm taking this poison now.
I'm going for a walk and see what happens.
A CBC is the standard blood test that checks, among other things, your white blood counts, yuor hemoglobin level, and your platelete counts. Minimally, this should be done every 2 weeks. You should get copies.
My doc rarely sees me (every other month at the begining), but they watch my CBCs and I'm in contact at leat twice a week.
I hope they're monitoring your blood work, and maybe you just didn't know the term CBC?
I've been thinking about the work involved in managing tx, and what little the docs get. In my case, the office I'm now with has billed for 2 office visits. This is not a profit center.
My doc rarely sees me (every other month at the begining), but they watch my CBCs and I'm in contact at leat twice a week.
I hope they're monitoring your blood work, and maybe you just didn't know the term CBC?
I've been thinking about the work involved in managing tx, and what little the docs get. In my case, the office I'm now with has billed for 2 office visits. This is not a profit center.
Gee that seems like alot of $$$$$$ how far does $6000 take you, a month or what? I was told $800 for a pkg of six that carries you for two wks, $1600 a month, I thought that was pricey. I'd posted a few days ago if there was a cheaper alternative to procrit, didn't get any feed back! Does anybody know? Am making notes on it all will be starting tx in a week or two, thanx
Did he perhaps mean that you would be followed by an NP or PA for routine care and only see him every few months?
I know that I see a nurse practitioner every month for normal visits. I only get CBC's monthly because that is all my insurance will approve. The last time I 'officially' saw my doctor was in early July and I'm not scheduled to see him again until January, but I don't feel ignored or undertreated (within the limits of my insurance.) My doc's office seem to genuinely function as a team--even the receptionists can answer many of my questions although I do get: "You'll have to ask the doctor about that" more often then I would like.
I am reminded though that I can call the office any time with any problems/questions. He also will see me if needed when I get my 12 week PCR results (again, the first one that my insurance would pay for.) Basically, I gather that the 'as needed' is if I am not responding or responding slowly so that we can discuss next steps/decisions re: treatment.
Anyway, I would consider the amount of care and monitoring I am getting to be the absolute minimum necessary for safety. Any practice that offers less then that would be very suspect in my mind.
Good luck--I hope you get the support and good medical advice you need to fight this battle.
Tracy
I know that I see a nurse practitioner every month for normal visits. I only get CBC's monthly because that is all my insurance will approve. The last time I 'officially' saw my doctor was in early July and I'm not scheduled to see him again until January, but I don't feel ignored or undertreated (within the limits of my insurance.) My doc's office seem to genuinely function as a team--even the receptionists can answer many of my questions although I do get: "You'll have to ask the doctor about that" more often then I would like.
I am reminded though that I can call the office any time with any problems/questions. He also will see me if needed when I get my 12 week PCR results (again, the first one that my insurance would pay for.) Basically, I gather that the 'as needed' is if I am not responding or responding slowly so that we can discuss next steps/decisions re: treatment.
Anyway, I would consider the amount of care and monitoring I am getting to be the absolute minimum necessary for safety. Any practice that offers less then that would be very suspect in my mind.
Good luck--I hope you get the support and good medical advice you need to fight this battle.
Tracy
I'm not sure what the hell he meant. But I took it as, this really isn't a big deal so you won't be needing a lot of monitoring.
I think I'll copy some of these posts and bring them to my first appt after starting tx on Nov 8. Hopefully I'm not falling down sick by that point.
I think I'll copy some of these posts and bring them to my first appt after starting tx on Nov 8. Hopefully I'm not falling down sick by that point.
Well--good luck. These meds have side effects that need to be monitored--in some cases without intervention they can be life threatening. Where on the Cape are you? I lived in P-town till I was about 4 and then spent summers in Eastham/Wellfleet/Truro from the time I was about 12 years old on. Still go back to N. Truro every summer and somtime still think of moving there. (I'm 54, but on treatment, I'm ready to retire tomorrow!)
My ultrasound assisted needle biopsy was $4350.05. But cquest says that my hospital charges are way out of bounds. DJ
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