Drug assistance programs

[mlkinmb]

At my doctors appointment on Monday I decided it was time to take the plunge. The PAC said she thought I would be able to get all the drugs at no cost. They said the office would call me whaen I needed to go in to fill out and sign some paperwork. I went today and all paper work was faxed out around 2:00 PM. I was surprised by a phone call from Vertex before 6:00 PM to verify some info, they are to send me additional paperwork to complete and send back. I'm just amazed that one company has responded so quickly! The PAC said she figured it would take about six weeks to get everything lined up for me. The receptionist said she has had approvals for HIV drugs in 3 days, but she had never done requests for HCV (No, I only have HCV, not HIV). I'm curious how long it has taken others to get approvals from the drug companies? BTW, 1a, 2/2, over 25mil, Thanks

[hrsepwrguy]

I called the hotline on the pegasys web page and they were very helpful. They gave me a reference # and said to have my doc call them and use that # and they would fax the paper work right away. I was only on the phone with them maybe 15 min.

[mlkinmb]

The receptionist seems to be the advocate, she is the one who got all the paperwork started, I think she does a lot at the office. I don't have any insurance at all, the doctors office knows I use the WalMart close to home for all my meds. I was just wondering how long others had to wait, but at least Vertex has already got the ball rolling for Incivik, so maybe it all go quickly. I think i may have been able to contact each company myself, but with all the requests coming through the doctors office it may be better. Thanks.

[streamline569]

There should be someone in you doctors office who knows how to get you an advocate. The advocate will call you and get you the approval from the pharmacy that you ins. uses. As far as vertex they were wonderful call them directly and they will work with you doctors office and advocate to get the drug approval and get it into you the pharmacy you will be using if it's not already there. The receptionist doesn't know these things. You have to find the one person in the office that does. Good luck . We seem to have to be proactive and educate ourselves as we learn along the way.