Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => Considering Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: andrew856 on May 24, 2016, 10:56:56 am
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Good morning everyone.
I found out last week my hep was back after not being checked since finishing interferon years ago. My viral load is about one million and I am genotype 1b I have yet to have a liver biopsy and hope to avoid it all together. My question is does anyone here have any experience wth bcbs Texas and getting them to approve the new drugs? My out of pocket is a significant 6,000 dollars but I hope to get one of the cop pay coupons or some other assistance with that. But my main concern is bcbs turning me down. Any words of advice or encouragement welcome.
Thank you
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It all hinges on Your plan ,Your Doctor and his team. My Doc has a great team that knows the program with BCBSTX and Gilead , as well as the specialty pharmacy that provided the Rx. After all of My testing was done , I was approved and had Rx. in hand in less than two weeks. Once all of My testing , Labs , biopsy , and ultrasound was done I had met My deductible and out of pocket expenses. The Rx. was basically covered after that.
Good Luck , Godspeed , and most of all stay after them the whole way until You get the approval.
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Thank you for your response. This whole mess is giving me anxiety the more I read the more anxious I get. My appt isn't for another two weeks with the specialist but he was highly recommended my my primary Doctor. Is the biopsy standard now? I didn't have to do one last time when I did the interferon. I almost want to call bcbs to feel them out about chances of approval but think it might be best for them to hear it from my doctor.
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Mine was. The last one I had was back around 1990. Dr. wanted to verify scarring and fibrosis level to be sure. Also , to have for the insurance company to help with the approval for Harvoni. I know this is easy to say ,BUT here goes! Go easy on Yourself and try to relax as much as possible. The anxiety and stress levels will hurt Your overall well being to a great extent.
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!!! OH YEA , IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF!
Your chances are really good for approval and the cure with new Meds. coming down the pipeline as well. Have faith and be patient ( pun intended ) and stay on their asses until You get Yours!
When You get some time , see if You can fill in some info. on Your signature line. It helps.
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Hi Andrew856, RE: biopsy: I chose to have one when I was diagnosed in 2011, as it was likely I'd had HCV for decades and was concerned w/ just how much liver damage was present, which influenced my decision on whether to wait for the DAAs or go with the current inf/riba treatment. I chose to go to a large teaching hospital w/ a hepatology dept. where they performed this procedure all the time, as it does have some risks. Mine went without a hitch, no problems at all, so just be aware it is an "invasive" procedure but in the right hands, should go well.
I also have BS but not in TX, so can't shed any light on that aspect. Hopefully some other members will be able to help you there. Good luck! FT