Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => Considering Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: Bearkate on May 30, 2016, 09:50:05 am
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I have hep c most likely since teen years or childhood since my
Mom has same genotype. Maybe from sharing razors. So I've had it a while. I'm healthy. Mom of three. Busy. My insurance won't cover it. I've even switched insurance. Still won't cover it. Gilead won't give it to me since I have insurance. I've already tried support path. I've heard I can get it in India for $900. Do any of you know about this? Thanks.
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Bearkate
You should soon be getting the information you need from the wonderful folks on this forum.
Good luck and keep me posted!
Morab
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Hi Bearkate,
Check with Morab. I sent her the info. Join REDEMTPTION at GP2U.com would be a great way to access quality generics at an affordable price. Guaranteed delivery and quality. Plus, as part of the generic clinical trial, you will be helping this wonderful study gain more data while curing yourself of this vile disease. Don't fool around here. The clock may be ticking down as far as generic access in the U.S. is concerned.
Coach Mike
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I don't know what genotype you are, but we now have some other meds on the market, like Zepatier and Daklinza, that may be possible for you to get.
ALSO -- Gilead's new drug which is similar to Harvoni but is for ALL genotypes is due for an approval decision by the FDA on June 28th. This may well be an option for you to get insurance coverage, so in addition to the generics & other meds, there are other possibilities for you. FT
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Good points, FT,
but, it's next to impossible in Arkansas to get insurance approval unless you are at least F-3 without appealing it to the external review stage. As I have posted earlier, My insurance company, Health Advantage, hasn't budged in its willingness to force its members to fight for coverage. They are merciless. They also cover every public school and state employee, typically requiring being on the transplant list before granting voluntary approval.
Bearkate: What is your genotype, viral load and liver condition?
cm
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Hi Bearkate,
Long before considering the India route, I have a question for you - how many appeals and denials have you had? If it is only one or two, you are very likely to get approved if you appeal again. I highly suggest working with an advocate via a patient assistance program. Lots of good ones, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation's Hepatitis C CareLine 800-532-5274 www.hepatitisc.pafcareline.org (http://www.hepatitisc.pafcareline.org)
When possible, there are advantages of getting your meds here. So far, we've heard only good things regarding the imported generics, but since we know that there are occasional complications, if that were to happen, its better if you were on a drug you purchased through traditional means. However, if after you have exhausted all appeals, considered a clinical trial, or alternative meds, then I the FixHepCBuyersClub is the only operation I trust.
Also, FT's observation that a new drug is about to come out may be a game changer - perhaps wait 2 months for the dust to settle before pushing the insurance company for coverage.
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The only way I was able to get Harvoni was through my state insurance board review to force BS to cover my treatment. So that is a very possible route to take. FT
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One thing we need to keep in mind is that some people had a very hard time getting treatment, but various state and private insurers are changing their tune - nearly every week I read about somebody new who is now covering treatment. So although I really value everyone's experience on the forum, when it comes to coverage, everyone needs to go through the process themselves rather than assume that someone else's insurance denial will apply to them.
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Yes indeed, insurance is a funny business and what applies to one won't to another. FT
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And if all the insurers cover everybody at today's cost, all our premiums and taxes will skyrocket. Big Pharma and their investors will continue to rake in their blood money.
This is not about rewarding innovation anymore. This is simply a business making as much money as the market will allow.
The Australian government forced Gilead into making a deal to treat every infected person in the country for a set fee. The threat of generics was a big factor in forcing Gilead to bargain.
I am 100% in favor of having insurance cover all treatments for all diseases but, knowing what I know now about generics-they are just as effective as the branded product-I would not wait one day longer than absolutely necessary to start the healing process. Life is too precious to waste fighting for months to get something that should be as accessible as penicillin.
The REDEMTPTION clinical trials, brought to you by the good folks from FixHepC.com, cost $2000. That is what my plane ticket to eastern Europe cost this summer. I have been unable to visit my inlaws there for two years due to my illness and ongoing fight for insurance coverage. Time I will never be able to recover.
I bought generics and fought and got insurance coverage.
Times have changed.
12 weeks of Harvoni is worth $2000, no more. An Australian or Indian would pay far less. Our insurers shouldn't have to pay $40,000 for the same medication.
cm
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hi ..yes in india you can get hepcinat and hepcinat lp ... even less than 500$. guranteed original stuff
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And if all the insurers cover everybody at today's cost, all our premiums and taxes will skyrocket. Big Pharma and their investors will continue to rake in their blood money.
This is not about rewarding innovation anymore. This is simply a business making as much money as the market will allow.
The Australian government forced Gilead into making a deal to treat every infected person in the country for a set fee. The threat of generics was a big factor in forcing Gilead to bargain.
I am 100% in favor of having insurance cover all treatments for all diseases but, knowing what I know now about generics-they are just as effective as the branded product-I would not wait one day longer than absolutely necessary to start the healing process. Life is too precious to waste fighting for months to get something that should be as accessible as penicillin.
The REDEMTPTION clinical trials, brought to you by the good folks from FixHepC.com, cost $2000. That is what my plane ticket to eastern Europe cost this summer. I have been unable to visit my inlaws there for two years due to my illness and ongoing fight for insurance coverage. Time I will never be able to recover.
I bought generics and fought and got insurance coverage.
Times have changed.
12 weeks of Harvoni is worth $2000, no more. An Australian or Indian would pay far less. Our insurers shouldn't have to pay $40,000 for the same medication.
cm
Posts like this are part of the reason I really, really wish we could "rep" one another on this board. Consider this my big "thumbs-up."
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After seriously considering India and taking out a loan because insurance co. denied treatment so many times, finally we have good news and my hubby will be starting Zepatair with no out of pocket cost or co-pay. Sure do feel fortunate for that stroke of luck.
My husband also has had a prostecotomy and is dealing with that as well which comes with depression and severe anxiety for him. His Dr has now prescribed Prozac and we are wondering if anyone is aware of adverse reactions for these two medicines together?
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I say yes Go to India if you can and get the meds you need. Sounds like you have been jacked around enough.
I went to Australia and got the generic harvoni. I am cured now. 6 months post treatment. It was so worth it.
email me if you want more info laublair@comcast.net
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This is my first post to this forum. I went the India route for my meds. I purchased the generic version of epclusa and actually it came from Bangladesh. It cost me $2200 for a 12 week regimen. My dealings with insurance and Gilead have been a real wake up call for me. These are not expensive drugs to make. In India I believe it is $900 for the generic epclusa and you know Gilead is making a nice profit at that price or they wouldn't be selling it. This experience has left me questioning what kind of people have we become? Believe me I have no problem with someone being well compensated for a great product. But to price a life saving drug that is inexpensive to make out of the reach of 90% of the population is beyond greedy, it's immoral and evil.
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This is my first post to this forum. I went the India route for my meds. I purchased the generic version of epclusa and actually it came from Bangladesh. It cost me $2200 for a 12 week regimen. My dealings with insurance and Gilead have been a real wake up call for me. These are not expensive drugs to make. In India I believe it is $900 for the generic epclusa and you know Gilead is making a nice profit at that price or they wouldn't be selling it. This experience has left me questioning what kind of people have we become? Believe me I have no problem with someone being well compensated for a great product. But to price a life saving drug that is inexpensive to make out of the reach of 90% of the population is beyond greedy, it's immoral and evil.
I'm glad you understand, believe me.
Most want to live in their happy lil DaddyDoctor world, even denying evidence put forth in clear light.
I don't know how we're going to get out of this Profit Before People mode.
Maybe our society is just going to implode.
And welcome to the forum.
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I removed the post that was selling medications. This is illegal.