Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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Brigid13 12/17/2013

Today my liver dr. (who I only saw once but has called me two other times to give me HCV info while not earning any money for this) called and said "THe future is now." He offered me the combo everyone wants,said he can get insurance to pay for it because of the Cosmo study, even though it's off-label. Said Aetna, which I have, is one that covers it. So, after 30 years with this, I could finally be free of it in 12 weeks. BUT, my Aetna plan ends Dec. 31 due to Obamacare. (PLEASE, no political replies. I need help here, and those threads make me want to quit the group) I asked my dr. which O plans he'll be on, because I have to choose soon, and he said none of them, and that none of the GI drs in the county that he knows of are going to accept the crappy payment. He says I'll hav e to go to WEstchester and see a med student. This is very scary. I knew I might have to wait after reading the ExpressScrips thread (Yeah, Cat and others that that changed) but now it seems that the new plans not only don't cover TX, I won't even be able to see a decent dr. I also wanted to keep monitering with Fibroscan but that seems unlikely. Does anyone know of any Obamacare plans that are decent for HCV? My whole family is sick with the stomach flu, and the kids are home from school and needing Mommy, so I'm not able to research each plan. I don't have a lot of time to choose one and sign up. If anyone knows a decent NY plan, I'd really appreciate it. I'll even pay for the Platinum level if it means I can get the oral meds.

catmagic 12/17/2013

Oh my gosh - I have no idea about any obamacare plans - I'm sorry. BUT you are being offered Sovaldi and Simeprevir (Olysio), and girl, that is a fantastic tx for Geno 1's. It's what I am praying for for myself. Yep, it's the tx the COSMOS study backs up.

http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/sofosbuvirgs7977simeprevirtmc435.html

I would say TAKE IT - TAKE IT NOW - but surely, the system can't just leave you hanging in the beginning of tx with NO doctors? Can it? Oh my God. I bet it can.

So is Aetna going to cut you OFF on January 1? I'm thinking yes, it is. Or if they start you NOW on the tx, will Aetna cover the entire 12 weeks? Probably not. THAT is the important part. If they won't - whew, I am just stumped as far as advice.

Are you "early" stage - like no higher than 2? Can you safely wait a year?

I hope someone can help you.

Folks - she needs advice on an "obamacare" plan in NY state - that covers HCV and tx - halfway decent doctors.

I have no idea how you follks who have having to deal with "obamacare" are even beginning to figure out what to do. I feel really bad for you and am so sorry. Being so fortunate and on Medicare and Tricare4Life, I have absolutely no idea how to research this for you, Brigid.

Katanda may be of some help - she lives in NYC. Maybe she will see this thread.

My prayers and thoughts are with you, B.

catmagic 12/17/2013

Brigid - what you are being offered is Gilead's Sovaldi and Janssen's Olysio - however, yes, call Gilead - what the heck - can't hurt - maybe they will be able to give you some guidance.

But as I read it, your issue is that you are losing your current insurance at the end of this month - and so far you have not signed up for an Obamacare plan. You need help in choosing a plan in NY state that will give you a good level of care for your HCV. Right?

Also - you are being offered off-label tx with Sovaldi and Olysio, but... it's really too late for you to take that offer from your current doctor because he will not be available to you as of January 1. Right? So really, I guess that has to be a moot point - how can he offer it to you when there are basically 14 days left in this YEAR? What would he expect you to do as of 1 January without .... Aetna to cover the meds; without him as your treating physician? I don't get why he even offered this to you under these circumstances.

Regardless THE ISSUE is you need help in choosing one of the "obamacare" plans - right? I pray someone here sees this thread and can help you.

Brigid13 12/17/2013

THanks, Cat, for caring and trying to understand even if you don't have the info (Does anyone? Even the dr's seem confused about the plans) The reason he offered it to me (and I can't even start, because I would have to pay the rest) is that he didn't know my plan was dropping me. I only saw him once, almost a year ago, and he urged me to do triple. I told him about the new stuff on the way, and he was humble enough to research it and call me and tell me what he knew. Then, when he learned he could give this combo to people, he remembered me and called to offer it. Above the call of duty. But it doesn't help me. And yes, what i need is help with Obamacare. I finally got signed into the system after a nightmare. I waited for hours at my library to see a counselor -- then she wouldn't see me because i didn't have an apt. (nor did the other people waiting) When we told her we kept calling to make apts and no one called us back, she agreed to squeeze us in. Then she tried to sign me up but had trouble on the computer and told me to do it at home. Finally I was rescued by a helper at the NY site who did "computer-sharing " with me from her office and signed me up. But I need to pick a plan and pay my first premium by Dec. 23.

deleted_user 12/17/2013

Brigid, I know nothing about the Obamacare and the health exchange options but Dieterich takes United Healthcare; I don't know if that option is available to you.

Contact Dr. Ira Jacobson, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, at Weil Cornell, one of the most highly regarded in his field. I read back in the day he took medicare and other less than stellar insurance plans. Not sure if that's still the case. Really hope you find something. It sounds so frustrating.

catmagic 12/17/2013

Thank you, Kat. This poor woman -

dragonars 12/17/2013

I'm sure these doctors will eventually take these plans. They like to eat.

deleted_user 12/17/2013

And Brigid, I will respect your request not to make any comments on the politics of healthcare but just know that it is with great difficulty. I am not known for my restraint...

catmagic 12/17/2013

Kat - ;)

WarriorGal 12/17/2013

That SUCKS. I agree with starting then trying to continue getting it directly from the pharm cos. I know virtually nothing about the Affordable health care except that each state is running it - and some are not. So, the answers to your questions are dependent upon your state. But sounds like you doctor already knows what the situation will be... What a LOUSY Catch-22..to be so close and have the rug pulled out from under you.

barbbey 12/18/2013

Probably the ans is no, but does your current company allow a 90 day prescription option? You could get the meds now and be 3 months through tx..... Pharm companies will provide drugs for anything with a script--- My ins approved me for 24 weeks, but i ended up with 33 weeks worth of meds because i had a script that was filled just before the 24 weeks....

WarriorGal 12/18/2013

that's GENIUS Barbbey!!

Brigid13 12/18/2013

THanks, everyone. Barb, I thought of that, but the answer is 30 days. And they probably wouldn't, knowing they're dropping me.

I asked Dr. Deitrich which plans he'll take. He hadn't decided. The pts need to choose by Dec. 23; the drs have longer

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