Do Doc's have to do anything special to perscribe Olysio?

[Mendeemoo]

Went to my first appt with the gastroenterologist, and had print outs (and coupons) for Sovaldi and Olysio in hand. I was actually excited to get the ball rolling and get this stuff GONE! My eternal optimism got me all psyched up for nothing. Doc is prescribing Sovaldi, Ribavirin, and Peg. Said most insurances wont pay, unless it's the "tried and true" 12 week 3 drug combo.  When I mentioned to the nurse later about just checking anyway to see if mine might cover S/O, she said something about seminars or conferences before they could prescribe it? Almost sounded like they were not "certified" to prescribe Olysio. Do the Docs have to be approved to prescribe Olysio?

I actually really liked the Doc as he seemed to think a lot like me... Not doing a biopsy because I have no symptoms other than elevated liver enzymes and am going to treat anyway....did not care where I though I contracted it...
I may just go ahead with the 3 drug combo as it will probably have the lowest out of pocket cost. I just really didn't want to deal with the side effects of the ribavirin and Peg. 

[lporterrn]

Hi - Your doc sounds on top of it, but may not have had success with getting insurance to pay for S+O. The main thing to know is that insurance companies are mostly only paying for it if you have stage 3 or 4 (cirrhosis), Docs don't need certification to prescribe this combo.
So, if you don't have stage 3 or 4, another option is to wait a mere 2 months for the new treatments (sofosbuvir + ledipasvir). It certainly is worth the wait. http://blogs.hepmag.com/lucindakporter/2014/08/new_hepatitis_c_trea_1.html The AbbVie drugs are close behind:http://www.hepmag.com/articles/AbbVie_3D_priority_2501_25781.shtml

[Bucky]

Went to my first appt with the gastroenterologist, and had print outs (and coupons) for Sovaldi and Olysio in hand. I was actually excited to get the ball rolling and get this stuff GONE! My eternal optimism got me all psyched up for nothing. Doc is prescribing Sovaldi, Ribavirin, and Peg. Said most insurances wont pay, unless it's the "tried and true" 12 week 3 drug combo.  When I mentioned to the nurse later about just checking anyway to see if mine might cover S/O, she said something about seminars or conferences before they could prescribe it? Almost sounded like they were not "certified" to prescribe Olysio. Do the Docs have to be approved to prescribe Olysio?

I actually really liked the Doc as he seemed to think a lot like me... Not doing a biopsy because I have no symptoms other than elevated liver enzymes and am going to treat anyway....did not care where I though I contracted it...
I may just go ahead with the 3 drug combo as it will probably have the lowest out of pocket cost. I just really didn't want to deal with the side effects of the ribavirin and Peg.

Mendeemoo,   You really should go to your insurance web site and see who handles their pharmacy benefits. You can check there as to whether or not they will pay for Olysio. If they do print it out and show your doctor. Sometimes you have to be your own advocate and take a stand for your health. I certainly wish that S&O and been available before my liver got to stage 4.
  As Lucinda pointed out, there are even better meds coming soon. I was at the place where I needed treatment now because of low platelets ( less than 90,000). If your platelets are less than 90,000 it rules out interferon for you as well. This is noted in the treatment guidelines. If I don't achieve SVR with S&O then I will be prescribed the once a day pill.
I wonder if the manufacturers of ribivirin & interferon are behind the push back concerning the prescribing of S&O since they are now the AZT of the HepC infected.
Bucky   

[Cicero]

I am on S & O and I have no cirrhosis (I see a Hepatologist). They were able to get the drugs free from the company.   

I just recv'd my labs for 4 Weeks on the new drugs, S & O ((Sovaldi & Olysio).   This is my 4th treatment. I have had (1) Interferon & ribavirin, (2) Pegalated interferon & ribavirin, (3) triple therapy, i.e., Telaprevir, pegalated interferon & ribavirin and now (4) Sovaldi & Olysio. Here are the best readings I have ever had:

- AST 18, ALT 9
- Total bilirubin 0.4
- HCV viral load -  Not Detected.

I am happy to say the least.  I must continue treatment for 8 more weeks (2mths) and then, 12 weeks AFTER I stop treatment we will retest again & if  am still at virus  non-detectable I am considered cured. (as long as I stay that way.)
 

[Cicero]

Oh Yes, Bucky is right again. My specialists told me that they will have access to a newer, better drugs, later in the year. But I wanted to go now b/c they said S & O would not create a resistance. I guess that will be the S & L, Sovaldi, which is the brand name for (same as) sofosbuvir + ledispasvir.