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Harvoni-Canada insurance and age question?

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Posted 1/24/2015 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
New member here. I am a 67 year-old Canadian suffering with hepatitis-C, genotype 1a. I took a therapy with interferon and ribavirin a few years ago but it didn’t help. Now there are some new therapies on the market with a much better cure rate, but a liver specialist in Vancouver has basically told me that I am too old and too poor to get this therapy through Canadian health insurance. So what can I do? Anyone else in Canada have this problem?

Post Edited By Moderator (themiz) : 1/25/2015 6:09:12 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/25/2015 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Hep forum! We do have folks treating with Harvoni that post here, Human. I have no idea why your age would be a factor. People are on transplant lists in their 60's. Many of them have Hep C an are treating, or have treated that are your age...or very close to it.

The insurance is likely the problem, and hopefully, those from your area that post here will chime in soon with their experience. Again, welcome and know you are welcome here. Big Hugs
Posted 1/29/2015 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Human5481, I have been on a journey with private insurance and trying to get treatment to no avail or success. The first time I was with Manulife with work, and my doctor prescribed Sovaldi and Galexos, these 2 drugs were not approved by Manulife saying they were off label, my benefits with Manulife ran out because I was laid off last year so I bought health insurance from Sunlife, they approved the drug Harvoni prescribed by my liver specialist, but they pay up to $1,000.00 per year, in short I would have to either re-mortgage my house or sell it in order to pay for this treatment, and I am registered in the Momentum Support Program with Gilead, seems all treatments are out of reach for the working poor in Canada and is available to people who can pay the exorbitant price of these drugs out of their own pockets.

From my experience it's not the age that is a factor but money$$$$$$. The almighty dollar, why manufacture a drug when no one can afford the treatment is the question.

Posted 1/30/2015 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
You may want to consider researching the programs offered through the pharmaceutical companies that may cover the cost or a portion of the cost if the insurance company denies coverage. The Resource section of our forum contains the contact information for the pharmaceutical companies.
Hopefully, the Canadian government will reach a deal with the pharma companies so that you can obtain the medicine through your insurance company. In the US, whether the insurance companies have approved the medication has not been related to age but rather to ones condition. Because of the expense and the amount of patients that have waiting to be treated, they are trying to limit to stage 3 and 4 only. If you have complicating factors that helps to get approved if you are not yet in stage 3 and 4.

This may sound crazy but if your condition is serious enough consider what Themis and Themister have done to get in a position for transplant-- moved 1,000 miles. If Canada will not approve the medication, consider getting coming to the US as a visitor and getting health insurance under the new ACA (Affordable Care Act/ commonly known as "Obamacare". You will have to be considered "legally present" in the US and would have to pay a monthly premium for the health insurance The premium, however, would not cost $100,000.plus as is the price of the medication currently. Lots of nice places to get treated while you visit!!!
Posted 1/30/2015 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
As getcured mentioned, you can talk to the nurses in the doctors office and see if they have information on any helpful programs.
I had planned on letting the cat out of the bag and talk to the local news agency and bringing local publicity to the problem.
Good luck in your quest for a cure, human.
Posted 2/1/2015 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. Lots of good advice. If I can finally get Harvoni or some other new therapy I'll post here to let everyone know. If I do find a solution I don't think it will be in Canada.
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