Hiya Binnie,

I'm one of the fortunate ones that does have health insurance here in US with "doable" co-pays. My drug co-pays are $25.00 and my doctor visit co-pays are $20.00.

For those here in the US without insurance or with much larger co-pays, it's a major struggle. If they are lucky they get government assistance. The drug companies are really good about helping those that need it.

Mouse

hi binnie, i'm in the uk too and i agree, ppl in the states are much better informed and they get their tests quicker and their results. i say grrrrrrrrrr! to the NHS here. they're pretty useless and stats show they have gone lower than europe now. it isnt the docs. its the system. we pay NHI from the day we're born, so by rights we should be entitled to private treatment or equivalent, i.e., choose our docs, get copies of test and scan results and letters, get to see the consultant quicker and get diagnosed quicker. i've been waiting around since feb and still dont know the full extent of my liver damage, just that i have portal hypertension, varices and cirrhosis. its a crazy system here i think, but unless you have money, its the only system. watch you dont upset them tho cos they'll just as soon put you out to pasture, lol
and on that note, nice to meet a fellow uk-er:) where r u from? i'm in kent. sorry you have the beast, but try and stay positive with it and keep smiling:)
ps.... have you done any tx yet?

oh and i'm genotype 3a, which is good cos tx is more effective, but at first they said i would be on tx for a year, now they're saying that they may not treat me cos of all the other health issues i have. i'm waiting to see hepatologist now and will battle that one with him. treatment should be up to me, not him. write an let me know how you're doing. in the meantime, you take care:)

I'm trying to get preauthorization with my new insurance co, hubby got a new job and they are jacking us around. Our previous insurance would only pay 75% of the drug cost, so we had to pay $500.00/month to get my meds. Hopefully, the new insurance BS will get resolved here in the next few days, but I'm not holding my breath. Universal Health Care would be nice, but there is too much $$$ involved, I won't hold my breath on that one either. xoxo

I JUST FINISH MY COBRA. SO WAS ABLE TO GET COVERAGE WITH THE HIIPPA LAW. BUT IT COST A LITTLE MORE. U,S, NEED TO WORK ON A BETTER, HEALTH SYSTEM.

I'm in Canada and I do pretty well with our medical setup. In my province, my tx is mostly covered by applying to the govt. I pay a small percentage based on my earnings. If I were not employed, I guess I would pay the same percentage but on nothing LOL.

fred what's Cobra.
Pepy, yes it would be nice to get that but I think the NHS would collapse under the pressure. My hospital is 45 mins away - country driving and there is ONE consultant luckily he specialises in Hep. My partner's mother was treated further west and she had to see a gastroenterologist!! We're in Cornwall, both genotype
1 didn't ge the a,b whatever part, will ask about that when I'm in in 12 days. both did treatment mine didn't work she's still clear but waiting for results of 12 month test. It's worth thinking long and hard about the treatment - I was surrounded by people telling me to go for it - most of whom didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Apart from the fact that I would always have wondered about it, I wish I hadn't done it. I don't know enough to comment on how your other problems would affect the Tx talk about that with the dr I guess - you have a much better chance of it working than me tho'. I know of somebody in London with type 3 who did a three month course which didn't take, so although it'd be nice to take the shorter course it's good they're ofering you the longer option. He needs a liver transplant, but they want him clear first, or something like that, I ge this third hand. Good luck, and let me know how you get on.
when were you diagnosed??

This system is horrible. You all have it right over there.Health Care should be a gimme.We all work hard (wherever you live) to keep all fed,clothed,warm etc. These health issues shouldn`t be an added drain. However,to our benefit our taxes are lighter still and we do have a choice in how our checks are divided.

THERE ARE SO MANY HERE THAT ARE UNINSURED AND IT IS HELL FOR THEM TO SEE A DR, MOST VISITS CAN RANGE FROM $75.00 TO $150.00 AND THESE PEOPLE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DO WITH OUT. I DIDN'T HAVE INS FOR ABOUT 3YRS AND THEN WHEN I DID GET IT I WAS TREATED SO GOOD, IF YOU HAVE NO MONEY THEY TREATED ME LIKE TRASH AND WITH IT I WAS ACCEPTED, AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE INS B/C I THINK WE HAVE THE BEAT B/C FEDERAL RESERVE... BUT YOU KNOW I DID HAVE A DR WHO TREATED ME FOR N/C AND A DENTIST WHO DID CHAIRTY WORK FOR ME WHO TREATED ME LIKE A PIECE OF GLASS...ANYWAY THIS COUNTRY IS RELLY MESSED UP AND I DON'T SEE IT GETTING ANY BETTER IN THE FUYURE....LOVE...HELEN

binnie, i've sent you a message with my response to your questions. dont wanna be taking up space talking bout my issues when the question is meant for ppl in the states.
sorry guys for interrupting this thread.
sounds like the major probs in the states is insurance. i say give it for free! god knows you suffer enough without having money worries too and they make plenty of money as it is. its not fair.
please god theres a solution to all our probs soon. in the meantime, all of you, be strong, stay positive and try to keep smiling