Sage:
Thank you all for the support and information. My Dr. has been treating people on medicaid but I have medicare. There was a consult with a specialist and a letter written to send to my insurance but the letter didn’t get sent until I showed up with an urgent problem on the Monday before. Someone just didn’t do their job, her name is Misty and she is afraid to speak with me now. So I intend to become such a pest that they make sure my needs are met so I go away, lol. I am the first person they have treated on medicare so we are learning together. If the online pharmacy is correct my co pay will be around $2500 for 4 weeks of Mavyret. I also have a grant from Healthwell Foundation to pay for my copay. I can’t get the copay coupon with medicare. I found the foundations by calling a number found on the drug companies website abbvie gave me names of 5 foundations. Looking back now I am glad I didn’t start Mavyret just before a 3 day weekend because I don’t know what side effects I might get. With chemo the only side effects I didn’t get was death and that’s only because I refused to complete the rounds. My liver just couldn’t clear all that poison. That’s why I want this virus out of me. Thanks for letting me blab and blubber.
Nina Mae:
Hi Sage,
I feel for you. You can blab and blubber away here! I do it all the time and you won't find more compassionate people than you will here.
Remember how we had to be our own advocates with our cancer(s)? Well, it's the same thing with this; continue being vigilant with everything. They mean no harm but we have no time for incompetency either. Good catch, Sage re: 'Misty'.
I just completed my tx (Epclusa and Ribavirin) on May 23 (EOT). I'm waiting to hear what the HCV RNA test results. The test was done and it feels like an eternity to get the results!
My point is this: since my own cancer and all that's involved, I, too, was terrified to start HCV tx. Trust me, this is not like anything you went through with chemo et al.
The new drugs that are used to cure HCV now are so much less invasive than what many of this forum's members endured. I, for one, am grateful for the new meds and I am humbled by those warriors before us who led the way.
It seems you're navigating it all well and by looking at your signature, I know you're gonna be great!
Keep your chin up! You'll get your meds, you'll get treated and you'll be cured!
Nina~
Sage:
Just got a call from my supplemental insurance company to let me know they got the letter from my Dr. I guess I will know by the end of the week if there will be a final denial or not. They said my Dr. is a trained hepatologist but is practicing in family practice.
lporterrn:
I have a few more tips, but rather than inundate you with them, let's see what happens. Hopefully you won't need this tips. As for your co-pay - most likely that can get dropped to a more manageable $.
As for your question re seeing a specialist - as was said, some insurers require the Rx to come from a specialist. Also, if you have cirrhosis, you will need to see a specialist since successful hep C treatment does not always mean your cirrhosis is treated. You will need to be followed post-treatment if you have cirrhosis.
Sage:
hi Iporterrn
I would welcome all the tips I can get.
F2 fibrosis is what I have and AST 64 ALT 81 and usually rising.
My grant from Healthwell foundation should more than cover my copay.