Has Anyone Started a Prescription for Sovaldi yet?

[nursehepc]

Just curious. I had an appointment with my hepatologist that was rescheduled from the end of November 2013 to the end of March 2014 because they stated that actual drug availability and insurance issues would need to be worked out. They stated that all patients that have been warehoused were rescheduled for appointments in March. I note that my BCBS insurance lists Sovaldi as covered but the pharmacy management plans for specialty drugs do not yet list Sovaldi. Gilead lists several pharmacy distribution centers that currently warehouse Sovaldi but not management plans (i.e., CareMark, Express Scripts).

I called to see if I could be put on a waiting list for an earlier appointment and was told they did not yet have the drug (was an administrator so I am not sure they understood how the approved use of the drug was being distributed).

Just curious whether anyone had actually filled a prescription in the U.S. I know that over 800 prescriptions have already been written since its approval, but how many have actually been filled?

Joanne

[nursehepc]

Not fun. Talk about raining down on your parade of joy! Glad you are out...but hope you are feeling better soon...

Good advice (translation: don't kill yourself while trying to endure treatment - listen to body complaints - don't minimize side effects - talk to your health care team about any concerns - even if they seem trivial)...I hope to be able to take it (your advice) soon (i.e., if and when I ever get approved for treatment)...

Be good to you...Jo

[Janee56]

Going to fess up and put this out there for everyone. Just got home from a 4 ,day hospital stay, due to infection. My Solv/riba tx ended Mon April 7, and I kept up my usual schedule, not wanting to admit our even Realize, at a certain point, that I was gradually getting sicker. Bacterial pretty much. Starting with a little bit of squamous cell(not unusual for a 40+ yr hepper) , that had to remain unaddressed for a couple months while on the HCV tx. Cellulitis, etc so bad I can't walk yet. What? Just not in my make up, this business of being down..so, this goes to show you..remain Positive, but not to the point of thou shalt overcome wo proper medical intervention. I should have voiced my concerns over low numbers on bldwrk, and the fact that doc and I were down playing them.  In the old interferon days, we got the rescue drugs like Procrit and neupogen, when things got that low. Love to all...Will post my final Cure Confirmations when we do bldwrk in the future. :)

[Verdugo]

Does your insurance not cover the medication or is that your doctor's prescription was denied?  If it's the later, you need to appeal the decision.

I read (on another forum) that some insurance companies always deny the first request!  And then grant it on appeal.  This is hearsay, of course but it does seem to be the experience of many here.

Good luck, V.

[Leasebabe]

It is so hard to read how well Sovaldi is working when my insurance will not cover it.  Makes me cry

[Blessed162]

Wonderful news to be "undetected" at week four! I have blood work next week and am hoping and praying for the same report.
I'm experiencing insomnia with treatment. Is anyone else experiencing that?

[oomimioo1]

awesome you got coverage!! i didn't have a problem wit geisinger at all. my doctor said it took her hours on the phone to get it approved, as the first time it was denyed because they wanted a pregnancy test before they can approve it. I got the test, and 2 days later the pills were in the mail to be delivered :)...my understanding is if one can get feisinger it is easier to get approved because gilead is discounting the price with geisinger. that's what i heard anyway. I hope everyone trying to get the insurance to cover the treatment can get it with no problem. i feel very blessed to have this opportunity, and at week 4 i am undetected. and the slight symptoms you may get are defiantly worth the outcome you will receive:). as of all the research i have done i haven't seen anyone who was not undetected at week 4 (or later on for the ones doing the 24 week treatment). as my symptoms are just the usual, anemic, headaches, and fatigue. good luck!!