Medicaid and Hep C Medication

[Jazmine6]

Hi.  I am new here and have always been a reader of the forums.  Everyone always has great information to offer.  I have my first appointment on the 14th of April to see a doctor about my Hep C.  My only insurance is medicaid and I'm concerned that being on state insurance they will want me to take the less expensive medication with harsher side effects. Can anyone help me with this?  I just want to know what I can say when I go in and if I still have the option to ask for one of the newer medications being on  low income insurance.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Also is there a place on the forums or on the web where I can be referred to a good doctor in my state if I need to search out a different doctor?

[Dee1956]

Thanks for the link.  It looks like the state of CT will be getting the deal very soon.
I am glad things are moving ahead.

[dontworry_behappy1]

It really depends on the current condition of your liver.  See your doctor and
get that information.  Here is a recent list of the drugs covered in CT.

http://www.ctdssmap.com/CTPortal/Portals/0/StaticContent/Publications/CT_PDL_medicaid.pdf

Here is the requirements for your state to obtaining better treatment other than what is on the list of Medicaid Drugs.  

http://www.huskyhealthct.org/providers/provider_postings/New_Hepatitis_C_Prior_Authorization_Criteria-Sovaldi.pdf

Its very important to have information you need like your genotype and results of a liver biopsy.  If you don't know these things then see your doctor and get this information.   You can't do or find treatment without that information.  

Get back with us and let us know the results.  Maybe by then there will be
new information concerning the approval of drug treatment for Medicaid patients.  

Your first appointment is next week.   Looking forward to hearing from you.

[AWorriedMom]

George Y. Wu, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Hepatology Section and Herman Lopata Chair in Hepatitis Research
Viral hepatitis, chronic liver disease, screening colonoscopy, ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, ultrasound-guided paracentesis. UConn.

[Dee1956]

I can find out who is the best doctor in CT.  I would normally say Yale but not positive.  

[Dee1956]

Well...duh, I looked at your status, see you are in CT, found an article that I hope helps you.  Ct is in the process of striking a deal with manufacturers so I think that you should be good to go depending on your geno type

http://www.wsj.com/articles/states-work-to-strike-deals-for-hep-c-drug-discounts-1422492687

[Dee1956]

Hi here is a thread with some Medicaid information.  If you could tell me state I can look

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-Social/The-Medicaid-Debacle/show/2528484#post_12368133