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Author Topic: New Atripla Co-pay  (Read 6365 times)

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Offline NycJoe

  • Member
  • Posts: 252
New Atripla Co-pay
« on: January 12, 2007, 07:45:24 am »
Ok with united health care my co-pay for a 3 month supply of Atripla was $75.  Now when I went to re up this morning...$250!  WTF?  I am waiting until 8a to call them but..is it just me..or is that just a bit dramatic?!

Offline alisenjafi

  • Member
  • Posts: 811
  • They say HIV comes from monkeys!
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2007, 07:51:57 am »
I would say "fahgetahboutit" I been on Atripla 4 months and am going back to the 2 pill regimen- despite the ease and the fact I been on Sustiva 3 years these side effects are just not on!
If we keep telling them we aren't into waking up and being up all night , or the crazy dreams  maybe they can figure why Atripla is more intense than the 2 pill regimen.
Then again I spaced my Truvada and Sustiva 2-4 hours apart.
Oh btw  I believe this is what some posters here refer to as paying for research and developement!
It's not really worth the cost is it?
J
« Last Edit: January 12, 2007, 07:54:08 am by alisenjafi »
"You shut your mouth
how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human and I need to be loved
just like everybody else does"
The Smiths

Offline NycJoe

  • Member
  • Posts: 252
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2007, 08:17:20 am »
I just spoke with 2 different people at United Health Care and that price is right for my plan.  So from $75/3mos supply to $250/3mos supply.  FUCK ME I am pissed

Offline poet

  • Member
  • Posts: 934
  • Poet living and working in Central Maine
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2007, 08:54:45 am »
Somewhere in these threads a number of posters have written that they, too, had to back off Atripla and take the drug via its components because of the cost.  Win
Winthrop Smith has published three collections of poetry: Ghetto: From The First Five; The Weigh-In: Collected Poems; Skin Check: New York Poems.  The last was published in December 2006.  He has a work-in-progress underway titled Starting Positions.

Offline Bartro

  • Member
  • Posts: 124
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2007, 08:58:42 am »
Go figure.  My Medco prescription plan just dropped the three month copay for Atripla from $375 to $50.  My copay on the Sustiva and Truvada were $50 each.  I kind of regret making the switch anyway.  My viral load became detectable again about one month after switching.  The doctor and my ASO counselor said the switch had nothing to do with it but I have a nagging doubt in the back of my mind.  I remember reading the first attempt at combining the two meds failed and they had to develop a second procedure for combining the two.  I have a whole months supply left and am considering asking to switch back to the old combo.

4/27/2006   Vl 40,800  CD4 339-17%  Platelets 1000
Started Sustiva/Truvada.
05/5/2006   Platelets 26000
06/1/2006   Vl 181 CD4 342-19% Platelets 27000
08/4/2006   Vl <50 CD4 301-20% Platelets 31000
11/2/2006   Vl <50 CD4 364-23% Platelets 38000
Started Atripla
12/29/2006  Vl 146 CD4 451-23% Platelets 41000


Rusty

Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2007, 09:09:39 am »
Wow this kind of info is good to know.  I am on sustiva and truvada. I don't mind taking the two at night. I heard that atripla is one hell of horse pill. I could see if it saved people money and was just as effective switching over to atripla, but my copay for each of the meds for one month is 10 bucks. So a three month supply would be 60 bucks for me. However they are still evaluating my regiment so only one month was prescribed. Would they just charge a double copay for atripla? I think the two pill regimen is a lot more flexible should the need arise to take them at different times. I don't know about switching to atripla now.


rob
« Last Edit: January 12, 2007, 09:12:41 am by koi1 »
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline onemoretime

  • Member
  • Posts: 142
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2007, 08:44:41 pm »
i have aetna, my co pay is 35 for 90 days of atripla.. thank god
08/04 diag 490 cd4 vl 50,000
10/25/05 436 50,513 hvb 1.1 billion
12/13/05 truvada sustiva
02/16/06 742 und, hpb 63,000
04/27/06 740 und hpb 60,000
01/05/07 458 und hvb und
03/08   470 undetectable still on atripla. Non smoking (chantex)
08/08 cd4 550 undetectable hiv, Hep B UND. Atripla
06/09  cd4 444, vl undetectable testo 130
09/09/09 CD4 687 46% UND  Testo 213 started androgel
10/12/09 cd4 682 46% und testo 597
01/12/10 cd4 842 48% und testo 434
041010 cd4 693  53% testo 492
100410 cd4 568 48% testo 523
012711 cd4 523 hcv 56 testo 596
083011 cd4 280 Hcv/HIV und
042912 cd4 158 hcv /hiv und, was on hep c for 11 months. do have ssdi filed and getting LTD
061912 cd4 151, bactrum, hep c and hiv und
071712 cd4 287 52% HIV HCV und
112012 cd4 520

Offline stevevaboy

  • Member
  • Posts: 60
  • In disguise ;>)
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2007, 09:12:36 pm »
Just wanted to mention that by applying for and being granted access to ADAP (Aids Drug Assist. Program) I pay NO Copays at all for my 3 pill regimen, so I went from $75 per month to zilch.  It's a national program, if I'm correct. 
;0

Offline Esquare

  • Member
  • Posts: 237
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2007, 10:14:40 pm »
I pay $195 per month for my Atripla supply on an 80%/20% plan.

Offline randym431

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,137
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2007, 12:03:28 am »
Thats exactly how it now works in this uncontrolled drug company environment. They spend a lot of time and research $$$ just to "repackage" drugs, then up the cost out of this world. Atripla is not a new drug. Its two older drugs packed into one (sustiva and truvada). Thats it! But... the costs goes WAY up.

And everyone is probably tired of me griping on the US med system, but since its mostly employer based, they can and do change the rules each year. As Dec - Jan rolls around, its hold your breath time to see what nightmares you will be hit with. And since this is how it goes, there is no consumer protection or protest. They do it and we have to accept it. And we all have to ask, when will they decide to just cut us off altogether. Its totally up to them.
Diag Sept 2005 VL 1mill, CD4 85, 3%, weight 143# (195# was normal)
Feb 2021, undetectable, weight 215#

Offline MoltenStorm

  • Member
  • Posts: 477
  • Poz & Fabulous
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2007, 12:09:18 am »
Currently, the great state of Texas is paying for my Atripla. I only pay a $5 co-pay.

I haven't had that much in the area of side effects. The only minor ones I get are some hot flashes, and a feeling of being drunk about an hour to an hour and half after taking it. I stopped having the dreams after about 3 weeks. It's amazing how the same drug has different effects.
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful nor conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, adaptation in A Walk To Remember

CD4: 555 / 29% / Undetectable - 7 Nov 2006
CD4: 555 / 29% / Undetectable - 5 Feb 2007

Offline Lou-ah-vull

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,029
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2007, 02:48:26 am »
I have one $30 per month copay for Atripla.  I have been fortunate I guess after one week I have had only very moderate side effects...some grogginess in the morning, some unusual (though not dramatically so) dreams.  I have no disruption of sleep, no rash, etc.  I just got back an hour ago from a west coast vacation/business trip where I started Atripla for the first time.  I could not tell the difference between "jet lag" and the Atripla effect.  I have been careful to take it at least two hours after eating and right before bedtime.

Gary
Diagnosed Oct. 2005
10/05:  367 (26.2%), 24556 VL
01/06:  344 (24.6%), 86299 VL
04/06:  374 (22.0%), 87657 VL
05/06:  Began HAART 05/15/06, Combivir/Kaletra
07/06:  361 (27.8%), 1299 VL
10/06:  454 (32.4%), 55 VL
01/07:  499 (38.4%), UD
02/07:  Switched to Atripla 2/8/07
04/07:  566 (37.7%), UD
08/07:  761 (42.3%), UD
06/08:  659 (47.1%), UD
01/09:  613 (43.8%), UD
07/09:  616 (47.4%), UD
01/10:  530 (44.2%), UD
07/10:  636 (48.9%), UD
01/11:  627 (48.2%), UD
07/11:  840 (52.5%), UD
01/12:  920 (51.1%), UD
07/12:  857 (50.4%), 40
10/12:  UD
01/13:  710 (47.3%), UD
07/13:  886 (49.2%), UD
01/14:  985 (46.9%), UD
06/14:  823 (47.2%), UD
01/15: 1366 (45.2%), UD
07/15: 1134 (50.7%), UD
02/16: 1043 (55.1%), UD
08/16:  746  (55.4%), UD
08/16:  Switch from Atripla to Genvoya

Offline Lou-ah-vull

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,029
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2007, 02:51:09 am »
I wanted to also add that the Atripla pill is not as large as the Kaletra pills I took before switching.  When I read some guys calling it a "horse pill" on here I was surprised when I saw the real thing.  I guess that is also in the eyes of the beholder.  So far, I am grateful that I am not having bad side effects and I hope my lipids are going to improve now.

Gary
Diagnosed Oct. 2005
10/05:  367 (26.2%), 24556 VL
01/06:  344 (24.6%), 86299 VL
04/06:  374 (22.0%), 87657 VL
05/06:  Began HAART 05/15/06, Combivir/Kaletra
07/06:  361 (27.8%), 1299 VL
10/06:  454 (32.4%), 55 VL
01/07:  499 (38.4%), UD
02/07:  Switched to Atripla 2/8/07
04/07:  566 (37.7%), UD
08/07:  761 (42.3%), UD
06/08:  659 (47.1%), UD
01/09:  613 (43.8%), UD
07/09:  616 (47.4%), UD
01/10:  530 (44.2%), UD
07/10:  636 (48.9%), UD
01/11:  627 (48.2%), UD
07/11:  840 (52.5%), UD
01/12:  920 (51.1%), UD
07/12:  857 (50.4%), 40
10/12:  UD
01/13:  710 (47.3%), UD
07/13:  886 (49.2%), UD
01/14:  985 (46.9%), UD
06/14:  823 (47.2%), UD
01/15: 1366 (45.2%), UD
07/15: 1134 (50.7%), UD
02/16: 1043 (55.1%), UD
08/16:  746  (55.4%), UD
08/16:  Switch from Atripla to Genvoya

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2007, 03:41:37 am »
I just can't believe what some of you are paying for co-payments these days.  Before I was on Medicare and on private insurance I don't recall anything ever being over $10 or $15.  They've obviously been hiking them up a lot in recent years.

I just received my year end 2006 statement, and actually it only kicked in with the new Medicare Part D in May I think and the total was over $26,000.  An entire year surely would be $40,000 perhaps even more now that I'm on fuzeon.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline David_CA

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,246
  • Joined: March 2006
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2007, 06:22:00 am »
My monthly  co-pay is $50, which is the highest of any of the HIV drugs listed in my plan.  A three-month supply is $150 - no discount.  My husband pays half of the TOTAL cost of a month's supply as his co-pay - $645.  Rob (koy1), it's not really all that much of a 'horse pill' to me.  It's big, but I've handled bigger!  ;)

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2007, 06:27:54 am »
NycJoe, your insurance must have found out they were loosing money. What is your co-pay for a months supply? Around 83 bucks? I hope when you get to the bottom of it, it will be an error in your favor.

Offline mjmel

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,069
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2007, 06:52:30 am »
Thats exactly how it now works in this uncontrolled drug company environment. They spend a lot of time and research $$$ just to "repackage" drugs, then up the cost out of this world. Atripla is not a new drug. Its two older drugs packed into one (sustiva and truvada). Thats it! But... the costs goes WAY up.

And everyone is probably tired of me griping on the US med system, but since its mostly employer based, they can and do change the rules each year. As Dec - Jan rolls around, its hold your breath time to see what nightmares you will be hit with. And since this is how it goes, there is no consumer protection or protest. They do it and we have to accept it. And we all have to ask, when will they decide to just cut us off altogether. Its totally up to them.

I agree with Randy's opinion and want to make an additional point. These hikes and major changes in insurance co-pays are the future, and will get worse. 
I am of the opinion that before any sort of national healthcare is considered the current state of affairs for the average Joe are going to first have to become a state of turmoil and discord. The middle class majority will have to become outraged before anyone will see significant steps being taken in the right direction.  Don't think that these hikes are just applying to us who recieve aid from the various state or federally funded programs. Some higher paid professionals are also being hit likewise in the form of premiums and copays. Yes, it's true many can absorb these increases due to their income levels--nevertheless, changes apply to all. New blanket policies. The poor or less fortunate suffer most. 

I believe national healthcare coverage for Americans will one day be considered. However, I'd be astounded if some sort of national healthcare coverage becomes reality because there is too much money to be made by various private entities.  America: we are so capatalistic, and less democratic than we think we are.
Honestly, I'm not a doom-sayer. Maybe just a bit distrustful and just-a-touch jaded by the gall and arrogance display by elected officials as they observe Americans' health coverages go down the toilet.

Offline SoSadTooBad

  • Member
  • Posts: 267
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #17 on: February 17, 2007, 09:39:10 am »
Co pays are rising, even for other drugs.  My co-pay for three months of Combivir and Sustiva was $100 for a three month supply last year.  It went up to $160 for the same two drugs in 2007.  So, a 60% increase in co pay for the same medications. 

It was a big increase, but I still thank God for the coverage. 

Offline jimenez50

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #18 on: February 18, 2007, 01:16:34 am »
I have been very lucky in what I pay for my Atripla.  My doctor precribes me a 90 day supply and I only pay a $10 copay.  I am just fortunate to have a job that offers an excellent health plan. 

Offline ndrew

  • Member
  • Posts: 695
  • ....-.-.-.-.-.....
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #19 on: February 18, 2007, 01:39:19 am »
My co-pay for Atrippin' is $35

The pill is big, but I am used to swallowing a whole handful of supplements in one gulp... maybe I shouldn't admit that in public.

Drew

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: New Atripla Co-pay
« Reply #20 on: February 18, 2007, 08:12:49 am »
Thats a hell of an increase,


Under Aetna, My Epzicom went from 25.00 to 50.00 ( they must consider it two drugs, and charge that way.  :-\

My monthy meds ( co-pay ) is now $110.00 . Also very thankful and fortunate to have Insurance through work. At least for the remainder of the year.


Ray

Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

 


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