what to do if you do not have insurance

[Guest guest]

I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go

through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even

afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going

to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this

week for starters.

so what does a guy like me do to get this treated if i do not have

insurance? will the goverment help or do they just let poeple like me

walk around with untreated hep c?

I was diagnosed about three years ago.

[Guest guest]

The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month. But here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment. You have to apply with them to show need, copy of a bank statement, pay stub and so forth. You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test. But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic in your area. Love Janetrichlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote: I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this week for starters.so what does a guy like me do to get this treated if i do not have insurance? will the goverment help or do they just let poeple like me walk around with untreated hep c?I was diagnosed about three years ago. Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the impossible with a smile

[Guest guest]

In order to show need for my first round of treatment with Scherring, I divorced my husband and submitted my own documents. With out his income, I live at a very poverty stricken level. When treatment was over, we remarried in the little license bureau in our little town. THere were people there waiting to buy licenses and they stood respectfully behind and then applauded us when the ceremony was over. It makes for a very good repeatable story of that time. SharonJanet <doc_jade@...> wrote: The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month. But here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment. You have to apply with them to show need, copy of a bank statement,

pay stub and so forth. You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test. But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic in your area. Love Janetrichlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote: I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better.

[Guest guest]

I had insurance that wouldn't pay, I did not meet there "needy" income level, this was the solution and it worked for me. We laugh about it, but it took months and I was a basket case by the time I satisfied all their requirements. It seemed to go on endlessly. AND then I relapsed. Go figure.... SharonJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: OH SHARON,,, NO ONE should EVER have to do that! That is dispicable that you should have to divorce your hubby in order to get treatment.. Im glad you guys remarried. Did you tell your state rep's or your governor about this? THIS just broke my heart to read!! Im glad you are here! jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: In order to show need for my first round of treatment with Scherring, I divorced my husband and submitted my own documents. With out his income, I live at a very poverty stricken level. When treatment was over, we remarried in the little license bureau in our little town. THere were people there waiting to buy licenses and they stood respectfully behind and then applauded us when the ceremony was over. It makes for a very good repeatable story of that time. SharonJanet <doc_jade@...> wrote: The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month. But here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment. You have to apply with them

to show need, copy of a bank statement, pay stub and so forth. You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test. But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic in your area. Love Janetrichlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote: I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better. Jackie

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet,

I am in Clearwater Florida, Its on the west coast of florida. Thanks

for any input. I will also check out the compassionate care program

Thanks

-- In Hepatitis C , Janet <doc_jade@...>

wrote:

>

> The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month.

> But here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a

compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment.

You have to apply with them to show need, copy of a bank statement,

pay stub and so forth.

> You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test.

But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are

getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting

clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could

get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic

in your area.

> Love

> Janet

>

> richlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote:

> I am curios as to what it costs with, or without

insurance to go

> through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant

even

> afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am

going

> to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done

this

> week for starters.

>

> so what does a guy like me do to get this treated if i do not have

> insurance? will the goverment help or do they just let poeple like

me

> walk around with untreated hep c?

>

> I was diagnosed about three years ago.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Take the ordinary things of life, and make them your own. Do the

impossible with a smile

>

[Guest guest]

I would not do that except as a very last resort. I tried every other way I could find and there are many organizations who will help the truly needy, such as you and your family. You don't have to be divorced. We are on SS and his union pension now and make a decent living, and I would qualify through Roche, who has a more lenient requirement. At that time, he worked and we simply did not qualify for the Scherring program and could not afford the amount needed for treatment. I don't have the sites at my fingertips, but Janet, Jackie, Liz and several others can give them to you to get the help you need. If you are a veteran and a nurse, you should have at the very least Government insurance. Even if you have none, you can get help. Sharonjcellis63 <chrisellis63@...> wrote: This just reinforces my respect for the support forum because I am in a similar situation. My wife and I are considering devorce in order to qualify me for assistance. I may also have to move back to Tennessee because they are asking about everyone who lives in the house and how much they make. My wife is being stubborn about the financial disclosure requirements and its delaying my application. Her income is barely over the limit and she also is raising her 2 grandchildren who stay with me most of the time. I live in Florida currently and Department of Children and Families says I'll have to file for disability on basis of "medically needy" but I've been 3 years without insurance or care and have little documentation. Symptoms are worsening again and depression and brain fog are making it hard to make good decisions. I truly dont know what to do except present myself to the emergency room and go from there. I know

just what I need to determine the status of my liver and I want to do treatment again. It makes me sick to see how much our Government is spending to keep our troops in Iraq and their being killed in the most horrible ways and there are American Citizens at home suffering needlessly. It makes me think about how many people there must be dying from Hep C who have no one to fight for them. I'm a Nurse and a Veteran and never thought I would be in this situation. Lots of good support and info from this forum to help out though. Sorry for ranting. I understand your situation Sharon and my heart goes out to you. Best wishes. Your not alone. > I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go > through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even > afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going > to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this > > > > > ---------------------------------> Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better.>

[Guest guest]

Its my understanding that the drug companies WILL provide you the meds as long as you dont have ANY insurance for drugs.. at least thats what I have always been told,, I didnt realize that they have an income level too,, thats awful... I sure hope you can figure this out and re-treat! Lets see what Liz comes up withjcellis63 <chrisellis63@...> wrote: This just reinforces my respect for the support forum because I am in a similar situation. My wife and I are considering devorce in order to qualify me for assistance. I may also have to move back to

Tennessee because they are asking about everyone who lives in the house and how much they make. My wife is being stubborn about the financial disclosure requirements and its delaying my application. Her income is barely over the limit and she also is raising her 2 grandchildren who stay with me most of the time. I live in Florida currently and Department of Children and Families says I'll have to file for disability on basis of "medically needy" but I've been 3 years without insurance or care and have little documentation. Symptoms are worsening again and depression and brain fog are making it hard to make good decisions. I truly dont know what to do except present myself to the emergency room and go from there. I know just what I need to determine the status of my liver and I want to do treatment again. It makes me sick to see how much our Government is spending to keep our troops in Iraq and their being killed in

the most horrible ways and there are American Citizens at home suffering needlessly. It makes me think about how many people there must be dying from Hep C who have no one to fight for them. I'm a Nurse and a Veteran and never thought I would be in this situation. Lots of good support and info from this forum to help out though. Sorry for ranting. I understand your situation Sharon and my heart goes out to you. Best wishes. Your not alone. > I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go > through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even > afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going > to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this > > > > > ---------------------------------> Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better.>Jackie

[Guest guest]

I just dont understand how any insurance can get away with refusing to pay for treatment? HOW can they do that? Its standard of care for HCV treatment?Sharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: I had insurance that wouldn't pay, I did not meet there "needy" income level, this was the solution and it worked for me. We laugh about it, but it took months and I was a basket case by the time I satisfied all their requirements. It seemed to go on endlessly. AND then I relapsed. Go figure.... SharonJackie on

<redjaxjm@...> wrote: OH SHARON,,, NO ONE should EVER have to do that! That is dispicable that you should have to divorce your hubby in order to get treatment.. Im glad you guys remarried. Did you tell your state rep's or your governor about this? THIS just broke my heart to read!! Im glad you are here! jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: In order to show need for my first round of treatment with Scherring, I divorced my husband and submitted my own documents. With out his income, I live at a very poverty stricken level. When treatment was over, we remarried in the little license bureau in our little town. THere were people there waiting to buy licenses and they stood respectfully behind and

then applauded us when the ceremony was over. It makes for a very good repeatable story of that time. SharonJanet <doc_jade@...> wrote: The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month. But here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment. You have to apply with them to show need, copy of a bank statement, pay stub and so forth. You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test. But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic in your area. Love Janetrichlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote: I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better. Jackie Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Jackie

[Guest guest]

My husbands company was sold off when I was 12 weeks into treatment , so we lost our insurance. My husband applied for unemployment , and I applied for the commitment to care program . They paid for my meds 100% , but I hear the roche patient assistant program is tuffer to get into . Then I applied for SSI from social security and was accepted because my health was deteriorating quickly . But if you apply , while you are awaiting a decision you can apply for medicaid through your state and they will provide it .

Re: Re: what to do if you do not have insurance

Its my understanding that the drug companies WILL provide you the meds as long as you dont have ANY insurance for drugs.. at least thats what I have always been told,, I didnt realize that they have an income level too,, thats awful... I sure hope you can figure this out and re-treat! Lets see what Liz comes up withjcellis63 <chrisellis63@...> wrote:

This just reinforces my respect for the support forum because I am in a similar situation. My wife and I are considering devorce in order to qualify me for assistance. I may also have to move back to Tennessee because they are asking about everyone who lives in the house and how much they make. My wife is being stubborn about the financial disclosure requirements and its delaying my application. Her income is barely over the limit and she also is raising her 2 grandchildren who stay with me most of the time. I live in Florida currently and Department of Children and Families says I'll have to file for disability on basis of "medically needy" but I've been 3 years without insurance or care and have little documentation. Symptoms are worsening again and depression and brain fog are making it hard to make good decisions. I truly dont know what to do except present myself to the emergency room and go from there. I know just what I need to determine the status of my liver and I want to do treatment again. It makes me sick to see how much our Government is spending to keep our troops in Iraq and their being killed in the most horrible ways and there are American Citizens at home suffering needlessly. It makes me think about how many people there must be dying from Hep C who have no one to fight for them. I'm a Nurse and a Veteran and never thought I would be in this situation. Lots of good support and info from this forum to help out though. Sorry for ranting. I understand your situation Sharon and my heart goes out to you. Best wishes. Your not alone. > I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go > through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even > afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going > to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this > > > > > ---------------------------------> Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better.>Jackie

[Guest guest]

My insurance company denied my treatment the last time , so I had my doctor file an appeal on my behalf stating that treatment was necessary . I won the appeal , most people do when they have their doctors behind them .

Re: what to do if you do not have insurance

I just dont understand how any insurance can get away with refusing to pay for treatment? HOW can they do that? Its standard of care for HCV treatment?Sharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote:

I had insurance that wouldn't pay, I did not meet there "needy" income level, this was the solution and it worked for me.

We laugh about it, but it took months and I was a basket case by the time I satisfied all their requirements. It seemed to go on endlessly. AND then I relapsed. Go figure....

SharonJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote:

OH SHARON,,, NO ONE should EVER have to do that! That is dispicable that you should have to divorce your hubby in order to get treatment.. Im glad you guys remarried. Did you tell your state rep's or your governor about this? THIS just broke my heart to read!!

Im glad you are here!

jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote:

In order to show need for my first round of treatment with Scherring, I divorced my husband and submitted my own documents. With out his income, I live at a very poverty stricken level. When treatment was over, we remarried in the little license bureau in our little town. THere were people there waiting to buy licenses and they stood respectfully behind and then applauded us when the ceremony was over. It makes for a very good repeatable story of that time.

SharonJanet <doc_jade@...> wrote:

The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month.

But here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment. You have to apply with them to show need, copy of a bank statement, pay stub and so forth.

You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test. But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic in your area.

Love

Janetrichlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote:

I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even afford to get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better. Jackie

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Jackie

[Guest guest]

The doc I had was a one time visit and he was angry because I was depressed. He told me to go out and find my own financing and then come back. The rest of the treatment time, I saw only a nurse. Needless to say, I now have different doc. lol Live and learn. Sharonelizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Even if ya have a crappy doc as long as he feels you should treat he will file the appeal . But you dont have to worry about that now that you have medicare lol Re: what to do if you do not have insurance I did not have a good doctor, but I did call my insurance and talked to several people and could not get them to budge. This was in 1999-2000. I have learned much since then, but now have medicare and we KNOW what that is. lol Sharon Hepatitis C-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

That doc sounds like a real nightmare , I'm glad you have a doc you like now . Bad doc's should have their medical licenses revoked !

Re: what to do if you do not have insurance

I did not have a good doctor, but I did call my insurance and talked to several people and could not get them to budge. This was in 1999-2000. I have learned much since then, but now have medicare and we KNOW what that is. lol

Sharon Hepatitis C-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

Sharon Interferon Tx is standard of care for hep c, just like chemo for cancer. I dont understand HOW they can get away with that. YOUR doc needs to appeal the decision and what I did, when I had trouble with the insurance I had when I first started tx ( not medicare) I went online and found the state insurance commissioners office and filed a complaint on line,, within 10 days, it was resolved,, everytime.. Insurance companies do NOT want the commissioner in their business... what did they refuse to do? Why? I dont understand.. Ill try to give you some ideas if you can tell me the story,, you can email me privately if you dont want to post it on the forum,, or put OT (off topic) in the subject line so that not everyone has to read it,, just a thought jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: Perhaps I need some lessons fdrom you, Jackie. It does not pay all for me. AARP picks up SOMETHING from every payment of medicare. It never has paid for the HCV treatment, just during that trial period. SharonJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: I have medicare and it has been really good, so I dont understand..elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: Wow , I was always under the

assumption that medicare would not be a bad insurance to have . I am sorry to hear you had to be taken off of treatment .I was taken off for not long algo myself . Re: what to do if you do not have insurance I just dont understand how any insurance can get away with refusing to pay for treatment? HOW can they do that? Its standard of care

for HCV treatment?Sharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: I had insurance that wouldn't pay, I did not meet there "needy" income level, this was the solution and it worked for me. We laugh about it, but it took months and I was a basket case by the time I satisfied all their requirements. It seemed to go on endlessly. AND then I relapsed. Go figure.... SharonJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: OH SHARON,,, NO ONE should EVER have to do that! That is dispicable that you should have to divorce your hubby in order to get treatment.. Im glad you guys remarried. Did you tell your state rep's or your governor about this? THIS just broke my heart to

read!! Im glad you are here! jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: In order to show need for my first round of treatment with Scherring, I divorced my husband and submitted my own documents. With out his income, I live at a very poverty stricken level. When treatment was over, we remarried in the little license bureau in our little town. THere were people there waiting to buy licenses and they stood respectfully behind and then applauded us when the ceremony was over. It makes for a very good repeatable story of that time. SharonJanet <doc_jade@...> wrote: The cost of treatment is high. About 6,000 dollars a month. But

here is the good news. Both Scherling and Roche have a compassion care program that will get your the meds for treatment. You have to apply with them to show need, copy of a bank statement, pay stub and so forth. You will need to possibly pay for the doctors visits, and test. But many doctors will work with you. Ask around. Some folks are getting their meds through the compassionate care, and visiting clinics that do the test, monitor care and so forth. If you could get me your general area then I can look to see if there is a clinic in your area. Love Janetrichlee7 <richlee7@...> wrote: I am curios as to what it costs with, or without insurance to go through interferon therapy. i do not have any insurance and i cant even afford to

get much lab work done to see how bad my liver is. i am going to get a basic metabolic panel, and also a cbc diff anlysis done this Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better. Jackie Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Jackie Do

you ?Next-gen email? Have it all with the all-new Beta. Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Jackie Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Jackie

[Guest guest]

Jackie, I don't mind having this posted to the group. Perhaps it will help some one else. They just told me the drugs are not in their formulary. Simply. When I called SCherring, they agreed, but then put me through a massive mess of denial and paper work before they were satisfied that I was low enough income to meet their criteria. Now, that was in 2000. At that time, I had Community Health through my employer. Now that I have medicare, they told me that there was a period of time (about 6 months, now long past) that the drugs would be available to me through a special program which paid for them. I got in on that time, but had to quit because of depression. I have not tried since. I WILL try again as soon as the protease inhibitors are on the market. I'm 63, but am in reasonably good health. The gastro specialists I went to for the first

round of treatment just told me to go find my own financing, that that was not their job. They were specialists and recommended to me, so I was ignorant and went along. I went through all the online resources I could find and I DID get the job done, but at great cost to my mental health at the time. I'm wiser now and would not let them get away with what they did. I have a hep specialist now that I trust, but who does not believe in prescribing the drugs to releive the symptoms of the tx. The FIRST specialists made me feel like a cry-baby and did not believe I was having as hard time as I was. I don't know, I just know It was an all around miserable time for me.. It won't be like that again. I have the group's support for one thing and have learned soooo much since then. SharonJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: Sharon Interferon Tx is standard of care for hep c, just like chemo for cancer. I dont understand HOW they can get away with that. YOUR doc needs to appeal the decision and what I did, when I had trouble with the insurance I had when I first started tx ( not medicare) I went online and found the state insurance commissioners office and filed a complaint on line,, within 10 days, it was resolved,, everytime.. Insurance companies do NOT want the commissioner in their business... what did they refuse to do? Why? I dont understand.. Ill try to give you some ideas if you can tell me the story,, you can email me privately if you dont want to post it on the forum,, or put OT (off topic) in the subject line so that not everyone has to read it,, just a thought jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: Perhaps I need some lessons fdrom you, Jackie. It does not pay all for me. AARP picks up SOMETHING from every payment of medicare. It never has paid for the HCV treatment, just during that trial period. Sharonand talked to several people and could not get them to budge. This was in 1999-2000. I have learned much since then, but now have medicare and we KNOW what that is. lo

gets better. Check out the new email design. Plus there’s much more to come.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon Well, I feel really bad that you went through all of that! Most insurance companies will still cover meds that are not in their formulary but at a higher copay.. man I would have been sitting at the insurance commissioners office until THEY MADE them cover it.. WHAT would they do if you had cancer? Stinking insurance companies,, they make me so angry,, all this "for profit" crap ,, they certainly do not have any trouble taking our monthly premium,, Oh dont get me started,,, wol,, Well BEFORE you start treatment again, ask your doc about upping your anti-depressant BEFORE you start tx. I had my doc do that and I honestly had NO problem with increasing depression. Im so sorry that you did cuz I BELIEVE its totally un-necessary.. Yep, gastro's wont cover any meds for side effects so you have to have your PCP do that. I was so lucky because I KNEW my PCP long before I ever knew I had hep c professionally as I

used to bring patients to him while he was head of the ER that we took our patients too. He knew that I was educated and so therefore, he really worked "with me" instead of trying to be the boss and not listening to me. But I would MAKE SURE that you have your side effects covered BEFORE starting treatment.. Im glad that you are finding help here, thats what we are all about! hugs to you jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: Jackie, I don't mind having this posted to the group. Perhaps it will help

some one else. They just told me the drugs are not in their formulary. Simply. When I called SCherring, they agreed, but then put me through a massive mess of denial and paper work before they were satisfied that I was low enough income to meet their criteria. Now, that was in 2000. At that time, I had Community Health through my employer. Now that I have medicare, they told me that there was a period of time (about 6 months, now long past) that the drugs would be available to me through a special program which paid for them. I got in on that time, but had to quit because of depression. I have not tried since. I WILL try again as soon as the protease inhibitors are on the market. I'm 63, but am in reasonably good health. The gastro specialists I went to for the first round of treatment just told me to go find my own financing, that that was not their

job. They were specialists and recommended to me, so I was ignorant and went along. I went through all the online resources I could find and I DID get the job done, but at great cost to my mental health at the time. I'm wiser now and would not let them get away with what they did. I have a hep specialist now that I trust, but who does not believe in prescribing the drugs to releive the symptoms of the tx. The FIRST specialists made me feel like a cry-baby and did not believe I was having as hard time as I was. I don't know, I just know It was an all around miserable time for me.. It won't be like that again. I have the group's support for one thing and have learned soooo much since then. SharonJackie on <redjaxjm@...> wrote: Sharon Interferon Tx is standard of care

for hep c, just like chemo for cancer. I dont understand HOW they can get away with that. YOUR doc needs to appeal the decision and what I did, when I had trouble with the insurance I had when I first started tx ( not medicare) I went online and found the state insurance commissioners office and filed a complaint on line,, within 10 days, it was resolved,, everytime.. Insurance companies do NOT want the commissioner in their business... what did they refuse to do? Why? I dont understand.. Ill try to give you some ideas if you can tell me the story,, you can email me privately if you dont want to post it on the forum,, or put OT (off topic) in the subject line so that not everyone has to read it,, just a thought jaxSharon Crosby <blubirdxoxo@...> wrote: Perhaps I need some lessons fdrom you,

Jackie. It does not pay all for me. AARP picks up SOMETHING from every payment of medicare. It never has paid for the HCV treatment, just during that trial period. Sharonand talked to several people and could not get them to budge. This was in 1999-2000. I have learned much since then, but now have medicare and we KNOW what that is. lo gets better. Check out the new email design. Plus there’s much more to come. Jackie