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cost of treatment
Can anyone give some insight on what treatment could cost? I realize Insurance is all different. I have a HMO through my work. Just trying to prepare myself. Bills are already coming in from all the testing going on.
they told me if they did not have this program the cost would be $75,000 all I could think is as I'm just a working class person I'm going to die from this disease thank god the RX Cos are doing something with all the $ they charge us for the meds we have to have to survive. http://www.rxcrossroads.com/
It's great to see people can get these medications for free. I think people hesitate to do treatment because they don't have the funds or insurance.
It's tough enough to do the treatment. The opportunity to treat should be afforded everyone.
It's tough enough to do the treatment. The opportunity to treat should be afforded everyone.
as of now 3/16/2013 am not sure how long back it goes Rx Crossroads is supplying the drugs for free Iv been on Peglntron, rebatol, and Victrillis for approx 3 months and with in 2 months blood work showed no virus detected my Dr states we will keep the treatment going for 6 months and then we will talk about stopping treatment early as its a 1 year program
My hubby had Premera at the time. The copays totaled up to about $90 per month for the prescriptions. Some months were higher if he had other prescriptions to help manage side effects.
Advocate1955
Advocate1955
I was able to work most of the time while on treatment. It depends on what sort of work you do. While anemic, physical anything is much more difficult. Incevik had a co pay assist so I pd nothing for it. But the helper drugs such as neupogen and epogin had high copays. Injectables seem to have a higher co pay, in my case it was 100 dollars per month. Some months I was putting out $300 in copays. Riba is very cheap. I've been cleared of the virus for over a year now. Life is good being free of hep C. To all here on this forum the journey was hard, but it's over. I questioned many times whether it was worth it. It was now in hindsight. Getting married in a few months. Not sure it would have happened with the cloud of hep c over my life.
So you called your insurance company and the treatment medication is
covered. Nice!!!! Incivek offers help with co-pays. See the Vertex (incivek)
website.
covered. Nice!!!! Incivek offers help with co-pays. See the Vertex (incivek)
website.
Wow, so much information to take in. But this forum has already helped me put my mind at peace. I called my insurance Co. without knowing my results yet and gave them names of possible meds for the "triple treatment" and all are covered with a co-pay of course. I have figured out my finances if i have to take leave and I have 4 1/2 months worth of sick pay and vaca. If i do have to take short term, it would be after that runs out, so that is another 3 months i guess. But I will try to stand strong and continue to work with some sick days here and there. This forum is really helping me get prepared. I appt. for my biopsy results are Monday. Believing for a MIRACLE!
I agree with what has been said so far. Once you receive your biopsy results you will be able to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. It can often take a while to prepare for treatment if you decide to proceed right away. There are pre-treatment labs, and other screens (such as ophthalmology appointment), getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A & B, making plans or arrangements at home and work for possible "off days" you might have during treatment. Don't get me wrong since many people work full time during triple therapy but having emotional support and and some kind of financial net is a plus.
If you treat now the current standard of care (SOC) for HCV genotype 1a and 1b is called "Triple therapy." It is Pegylated Interferon (injection), Ribavarin (oral pills) and a Protease Inhibitor (oral pills). Your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each med and then you will pick one best suited to your treatment wants and needs. At that point you find out more about to expect and hopefully you and your doctor have a 'meeting of the minds' when it comes to rescue meds and how to treat your side effects.
To me, this would be a good point to verify your insurance coverage & ask co-pays &/or possible out of pocket expense for meds. In the beginning of treatment there is lots of labs and office visits. Further, you ought to be able to call the different HCV drug companies and see the support you might be eligible for. This is all based on a lot of ifs and keep in mind most of what I mentioned are examples of things that happen prior to treatment.
When you discuss your treatment options the doctor might mention the "all oral meds" in clinical trials. Be sure to ask if you are a candidate.
I encourage you to ask your Gastro, your PCP , your Hematologist and anyone else in medicine for a referral or reference to a Hepatologist in San Antonio. I treated with a Gastro but if my fibrosis were more advanced I would have treated with a Hepatologist.
I know this is a lot and it won't happen at once. It may take a while to wrap your head around all this but lots of people here have been in the exact same boat and found a way through.
If you treat now the current standard of care (SOC) for HCV genotype 1a and 1b is called "Triple therapy." It is Pegylated Interferon (injection), Ribavarin (oral pills) and a Protease Inhibitor (oral pills). Your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each med and then you will pick one best suited to your treatment wants and needs. At that point you find out more about to expect and hopefully you and your doctor have a 'meeting of the minds' when it comes to rescue meds and how to treat your side effects.
To me, this would be a good point to verify your insurance coverage & ask co-pays &/or possible out of pocket expense for meds. In the beginning of treatment there is lots of labs and office visits. Further, you ought to be able to call the different HCV drug companies and see the support you might be eligible for. This is all based on a lot of ifs and keep in mind most of what I mentioned are examples of things that happen prior to treatment.
When you discuss your treatment options the doctor might mention the "all oral meds" in clinical trials. Be sure to ask if you are a candidate.
I encourage you to ask your Gastro, your PCP , your Hematologist and anyone else in medicine for a referral or reference to a Hepatologist in San Antonio. I treated with a Gastro but if my fibrosis were more advanced I would have treated with a Hepatologist.
I know this is a lot and it won't happen at once. It may take a while to wrap your head around all this but lots of people here have been in the exact same boat and found a way through.
It is going to cost a lot so be ready for that...I looked back and saw that you have hep c so I assume that is what you would be treating for, I would need to know what co-pay etc with insurance company is, what type of meds will you be doing length of tx (treatment) etc....
If you are doing the triple tx with incivek go to incivek.com and get phone # they will give you ten thousand for the first year to go towards your co pay, just make sure when the specialty pharmacy runs your meds they run that one first, this should take care of co pay deductibles, then you will probably be paying 50 usd or less per month.
Now get ready for the expensive thing- you might end up out of work during the tx. everyone is different, but almost everyone I have talked to and myself had a very hard time with the treatment, if this is not an issue for you, great, if not get with HR manager and Dr. and start looking at short or long term disability, that in itself is a headache but if done right the first time is not to bad...
This journey you are about to embark on is a rough one, use this website to help you get through, I just went through this and all has ended up well so far , still waiting to confirm SVR (dont have it anymore) but all my test have been trending that way, feel free to look at profile and follow my journey (read notes posts etc) If you have any questions send me a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can, please forgive me If it takes a little time but I do not have much time for the site as I am back to working double shifts...GOOD LUCK.
If you are doing the triple tx with incivek go to incivek.com and get phone # they will give you ten thousand for the first year to go towards your co pay, just make sure when the specialty pharmacy runs your meds they run that one first, this should take care of co pay deductibles, then you will probably be paying 50 usd or less per month.
Now get ready for the expensive thing- you might end up out of work during the tx. everyone is different, but almost everyone I have talked to and myself had a very hard time with the treatment, if this is not an issue for you, great, if not get with HR manager and Dr. and start looking at short or long term disability, that in itself is a headache but if done right the first time is not to bad...
This journey you are about to embark on is a rough one, use this website to help you get through, I just went through this and all has ended up well so far , still waiting to confirm SVR (dont have it anymore) but all my test have been trending that way, feel free to look at profile and follow my journey (read notes posts etc) If you have any questions send me a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can, please forgive me If it takes a little time but I do not have much time for the site as I am back to working double shifts...GOOD LUCK.
Your really need to call your insurance company and ask what is covered
first. Before you start worrying about to cost.
first. Before you start worrying about to cost.
You have an HMO? I didn't know you get bills with an HMO. I think you
I would call my insurance company. If your insurance doesn't cover the
medication there is financial assistance available. It really depends on
what treatment is required.
I would call my insurance company. If your insurance doesn't cover the
medication there is financial assistance available. It really depends on
what treatment is required.
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