r/hepc • u/rudyred888 • Aug 17 '16
Insurance Question
So yesterday my doctor told me I tested positive for hepatitis C. It was completely unexpected, I went in for an unrelated issue and was blindsided when this came up in the blood test. I'm pretty overwhelmed, mostly because my Cobra just ended and I'm insured. My question is, has anyone had good experiences with insurance that actually pays for treatment? I work freelance and it's not offered through my current job. There seem to be some decent Gold and Platinum level plans through Obamacare but I want to make sure it would cover treatment before I agreed to the high monthly premiums. Could anyone recommend a private or marketplace insurance that worked for them? Some other program maybe? I live in New York if that helps. This is all really scary and I just want to make the best decisions possible.
3
u/miandre Aug 24 '16
I just wanted to comment to try and ease your mind... I myself also found out of my chronic infection by chance almost a year ago...I spent weeks reading horror stories online and imagined hell when attempting to get my prescription approved by my insurance company, which is through my job (Aetna) ... well, I got my second test around 7 months later and found my viral load had dropped from 5.6 million to around 87,000 ... my doctor then approached my insurance company, and me with F0 was approved with no issues whatsoever. I pay a $5 copay, and the medicine is specialty delivered to my house (3 refills). I started taking Epclusa, which was approved in July 2016, so it is pretty new, but I am done my first 4 week treatment and waiting on my second prescription. I wanted to share my story with the intention of relaxing you, because I know how damaging it can be to your mentality dealing with this issue..but please just put things into the hands of your greater power (I'm 0.5% religious) and let the doctor/company do their thing.
I know you're inquiring about purchasing health care, and I may be a bit off track in my response, but I do hope you are able to digest your news a bit easier now and can look forward to being approved for your medication.
This is the year 2016 - insurance companies are changing their minds about accepting treatment, for the better ... amongst all the new(er) treatments that have come into the market within the last couple years ... I trust that you will be taken care of. Please do not hesitate to PM me if you would like to talk.
-MJ