Author Topic: Sculptra Financial Assisstance for HIV facial wasting (Read 26654 times)

RonG20YRSpoz · « **on:** October 06, 2007, 01:07:37 pm »

I have just finished having my third and last treatment of Sculptra facial filler injections. Dermik Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Sculptra (PMMA type filler), has a financial assistance program and I did not have to have to pay anything for this! The results are dramatic, amazingly positive, and my self-esteem has improved as a result in the fullness of my previously wasted face! The contact number for the assistance forms to qualify you is 1-888-728-5787, follow the automated menu until they ask in you want financial assistance forms for Sculptra to be faxed to you. If you go to www.sculptra.com there is a like if you type in your zip code they will list cosmetic surgeons in your area that participate in this area. I was lucky the doctor I chose, his assistant had the forms faxed to her and she did all the paperwork for me and I didn't have to do a thing except provide my insurance information and medicare info. You can have insurance, as long as you make less than $50,000/yr. and are HIV poz. you qualify because insurance companies do not recognize this, yet, as a medical treatment although the FDA approved it as a medical treatment in 1996 and it has an ICD9 billing code. Good luck to you, if you want to ask me any questions to help guide you through this email me at rbg115@charter.net Good Luck

J.R.E. · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2007, 01:51:16 pm »

Thanks !

Although I am currently not in need of sculptra treatments, thanks for this information. My doctor does this in his office. I believe he started this, back in 2005. I went to the link you provided , just to recheck, and his name is there.

Glad to hear that things went well for you.

Take care

RonG20YRSpoz · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2007, 02:22:42 pm »

I appreciate your email and am new to this forum so I can't get my replies on the site, only through my email. I am glad that you don;t need any treatment for lipoatrophy but it is comforting to know it is there if you ever do. I think being 20 yrs poz and on so many meds I lost a lot of facial collagen and started to look scary to myself. This treatment has really made me feel better. Health wise I have been fine through the years so I don't complain. Best of luck to youl
Ron

poznva · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2007, 11:39:14 pm »

Hi Ron, Thanks for the information youve provided. i have decided to act upon it and i'm currently waiting on my information to be mailed to me from Sculptra. I live in the Washington DC metro area/ Northern Va and I'm currently running into problems finding providers that will administer this drug for a resonable fee. All of them state that there is no such ICD9 billing code the insurance will not approve and also the lowest cost I've been quoted to have the injections done is so far $600.00 per INJECTION. Can you or someone out ther send me information as to where I might get some additional help? I really am in desparate need of this treatment but $2,000 is way out of my price range.Any information from anybody will be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!!!!!!

madcowcorn · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2008, 03:21:22 am »

hi i dont have any photos
however i think its starting to happen in the face
i have been taking trizavir for 5 yrs now and just got a test
so not sure where im at however my last test showed detectable of 400 and tcell at 450
which was down from 600 and up from zero
im afriad this will go further
any suggestions on what todo?
also how much does the surgery cost
thanks
robert
p.s. would love replies to madcowcorn@yahoo.com since im not sure if i will recieve replies yet

Peter Staley · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2008, 12:23:22 pm »

Welcome, Robert -- glad you found us!

I wouldn't switch meds with a VL of only 400 -- could be just a "blip", and return to undetectable.

However, discuss your concerns about lipoatrophy with your doctor -- see if she/he agrees with you. You might also ask very close and honest friends or family if they think you are losing fat in your face.

If it is happening, then switching meds might be an option worth considering.

By the way, I don't often hear of HIV+ folks losing fat in the face without also loosing it in the arms and legs (and even the buttocks). It's not usually isolated to the face.

Peter Staley
Founder
AIDSmeds.com

rondrond · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2008, 12:12:54 pm »

Quote from: RonG20YRSpoz on October 06, 2007, 01:07:37 pm

I have just finished having my third and last treatment of Sculptra facial filler injections. Dermik Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Sculptra (PMMA type filler), has a financial assistance program and I did not have to have to pay anything for this! The results are dramatic, amazingly positive, and my self-esteem has improved as a result in the fullness of my previously wasted face! The contact number for the assistance forms to qualify you is 1-888-728-5787, follow the automated menu until they ask in you want financial assistance forms for Sculptra to be faxed to you. If you go to www.sculptra.com there is a like if you type in your zip code they will list cosmetic surgeons in your area that participate in this area. I was lucky the doctor I chose, his assistant had the forms faxed to her and she did all the paperwork for me and I didn't have to do a thing except provide my insurance information and medicare info. You can have insurance, as long as you make less than $50,000/yr. and are HIV poz. you qualify because insurance companies do not recognize this, yet, as a medical treatment although the FDA approved it as a medical treatment in 1996 and it has an ICD9 billing code. Good luck to you, if you want to ask me any questions to help guide you through this email me at rbg115@charter.net Good Luck

Do you have to have a diagnosis of lipo/ facial wasting, or do you send them a photo? I have noticed that my cheeks are looking sunken, especially in photos, which has suddenly made me very camera shy. My family thinks I look fine. I am 55. So I have to consider...is this due to aging, or HIV? oh, wait, I don't have SSDI or medicare. Maybe I'm just being a silly old queen.

atlq · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2008, 06:45:34 pm »

Rondpond,
I had three treatments through the assistance program in 2005 and will be returning for a touch up soon. In my case it worked like this: Select a dermatologist who injects Sculptra (the search for providers from sculptra.com will help), then set up an appointment for a consult. The dermatologist will "grade" your lipo and suggest the number of sessions required. The staff at the office will have the assistance paperwork. Fill it out COMPLETELY (they will return paperwork to you for any omission). Once you are approved the drug is shipped to your doctors office and they will set up appointments. You get the drug for free, you pay the dermatologist (in my case it was $350 per session). Sessions are a month apart....

atlq · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2008, 06:49:33 pm »

OOPs....Ronrond, I meant...sorry!...

rondrond · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2008, 12:14:56 am »

Quote from: atlq on July 21, 2008, 06:45:34 pm

Rondpond,
I had three treatments through the assistance program in 2005 and will be returning for a touch up soon. In my case it worked like this: Select a dermatologist who injects Sculptra (the search for providers from sculptra.com will help), then set up an appointment for a consult. The dermatologist will "grade" your lipo and suggest the number of sessions required. The staff at the office will have the assistance paperwork. Fill it out COMPLETELY (they will return paperwork to you for any omission). Once you are approved the drug is shipped to your doctors office and they will set up appointments. You get the drug for free, you pay the dermatologist (in my case it was $350 per session). Sessions are a month apart....

Thank you for the info. I will check into finding a dermatologist in my area and then going from there.

boylikertampa · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2008, 11:51:05 am »

Yesterday resumed my Sculptra, after nearly 2 years since my last series. I used Sculptra Patient Assistance...I make over $50,000 per year and I paid $800 for 2 treatment series (i.e., 2 visits to my HIV dr. to inject my face about 15 or so times). I really feel my face responded this time. My HIV dr. is certified or whatever to give Sculptra. I would highly recommend applying for the financial help through your doctor and having it done (my dr. charges me $350 for each set of injections). I am a teacher and now I won't feel as self-conscious about my face when school starts soon. My lover makes less than $30,000 per year and got his Sculptra product free...still have to pay the dr. $350, which is cheap by cosmetic standards.

pozitivefuture · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2008, 04:09:53 pm »

Quote from: atlq on July 21, 2008, 06:45:34 pm

Rondpond,
I had three treatments through the assistance program in 2005 and will be returning for a touch up soon. In my case it worked like this: Select a dermatologist who injects Sculptra (the search for providers from sculptra.com will help), then set up an appointment for a consult. The dermatologist will "grade" your lipo and suggest the number of sessions required. The staff at the office will have the assistance paperwork. Fill it out COMPLETELY (they will return paperwork to you for any omission). Once you are approved the drug is shipped to your doctors office and they will set up appointments. You get the drug for free, you pay the dermatologist (in my case it was $350 per session). Sessions are a month apart....

Atlq or anyone with this information Can you please tell me where u had the injections done for $350. Im tryn to get Sculptra done with in the next month. It would be very helpful, eveywhere i call there charging 500 to 600 dollars . Thank you in advance

atlq · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2008, 09:25:46 am »

Pozitivefuture,

I had to use the Sculptra website and its "Locate a Doctor" feature (typing in your zip code). Depending on your area, you should get a list of dermatologists who perform the procedure. Call various offices and inquire about rates. As I said, my last series was in 2005 and even then most docs were in that 500 area (and mine could be this time as well-I haven't asked even though I am going back. My doctors listing is below:

http://www.sculptra.us/us/locator/default.aspx?template=map&transaction=locMap&recordId=68&pWidth=400&origAddress=&origPostalCode=30306&origCity=Atlanta&origStateProvince=GA

pozitivefuture · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2008, 08:00:50 pm »

Quote from: atlq on August 12, 2008, 09:25:46 am

Pozitivefuture,

I had to use the Sculptra website and its "Locate a Doctor" feature (typing in your zip code). Depending on your area, you should get a list of dermatologists who perform the procedure. Call various offices and inquire about rates. As I said, my last series was in 2005 and even then most docs were in that 500 area (and mine could be this time as well-I haven't asked even though I am going back. My doctors listing is below:

http://www.sculptra.us/us/locator/default.aspx?template=map&transaction=locMap&recordId=68&pWidth=400&origAddress=&origPostalCode=30306&origCity=Atlanta&origStateProvince=GA

Thank you soooo much

atlq · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2008, 08:14:18 pm »

Best of luck....

OneTampa · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2008, 09:36:46 pm »

I completed my Sculptra treatments last year while unemployed. I went through the process exactly as Atlq explained a few posts up. It was a very efficient process all around. I remain very pleased with the results on my face. I am employed now and will likely pay a pro-rated amount if I need a touch up at the end of this year or in 2009.

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Author Topic: Sculptra Financial Assisstance for HIV facial wasting (Read 26654 times)