Treatment FAQ

where can i receive free treatment for hep c in houston tx

by Alanna Bradtke Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Full Answer

Where can I get help with hepatitis C treatment?

8 Resources That Can Help You Afford Hepatitis C Treatment 1 Pharmaceutical Programs. 2 The American Liver Foundation (ALF) 3 NeedyMeds. 4 Help-4-Hep. 5 The HealthWell Foundation. 6 The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) 7 The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation. 8 The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

What are affordable health clinics in Houston?

These affordable clinics in Houston are also known as FQHCs or Federally Qualified Health Centers. While you do not need health insurance to receive medical treatment at these clinics they are not necessarily free. These clinics do however operated on a sliding scale. What this means is you will be billed according to the income you make.

Where can I find a clinic in Houston TX?

Santa Clara Clinic – 5616 Lawndale St Suite A108 Houston, TX 77023 – 713.921.0075 San Jacinto Clinic – 4301 Garth Rd Houston, TX 77521 – 281.420.8400 Deer Park Clinic – 3430 Center St Houston, TX 77536 – 281.628.2040 10. Pasadena Community Health Center

Where can I find a Christus clinic in Houston?

East End – St. Mary’ s clinic – 2002 S. Wayside Dr, Houston, TX 77023 – 713.803.1840 Dickinson – Point of Light clinic – 2401 Termini Street, Suite 100-D, Dickinson, TX – 713.803.1830 School-Based Clinics – Here is a listing of schools that have a Christus clinic at their locations. Click HERE. 4. El Centro de Corazon

How can I get hep C medication for free?

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) offer free hepatitis C drugs to lower-income people who are uninsured or underinsured, and who do not qualify for insurance programs such as Medicaid or Medicare.

How do you pay for hep C treatment?

Visit Medicare.gov. to see if your state is among them. You can also apply for assistance from nonprofit organizations to pay for your hepatitis C drugs. For example, PAN Foundation may provide $6,800 a year if funding is available. Other groups don't help directly but can point you to sources of assistance.

Does medical cover hep C treatment?

Jerry Brown and state lawmakers have set aside $70 million in next year's budget — which starts July 1 — so that almost all Medi-Cal recipients with hepatitis C will become eligible for the medications, as long as they are at least 13 and have more than one year to live.

Do Most insurances cover hep C treatment?

Most health insurance plans require treatment for HCV to be medically necessary. Whether or not treatment is medically necessary depends on each plan's coverage policy.

Who qualifies for hep C treatment?

With the exception of pregnant women, the World Health Organization recommends treatment be offered to all individuals aged 12 years or older diagnosed with HCV, regardless of their disease stage.

Does Obama Care cover hep C treatment?

Providing free preventive care. Under the ACA, all new health plans must cover certain preventive services—like shots and screening tests—without charging a deductible or co-pay. This includes important viral hepatitis services such as hepatitis A and B vaccination and hepatitis B and C testing.

Does Texas Medicaid cover hep C treatment?

Starting on September 1, 2021 – if you want your doctor to give you treatment for Hepatitis C, Medicaid may cover the medicine you need without considering the level of your illness, the specialty of your doctor, and without any need to have a drug screening.

How long can you live with hep C?

The prognosis of chronic HCV is typically very good, and as treatment continues to improve, it will only get better. Most people with chronic HCV can live a normal life, providing that doctors are able to diagnose it before any liver damage or other complications occur.

How long does it take to be cured of hep C?

Treatments are available that can cure most people with hepatitis C in 8–12 weeks.

How much is Harvoni per pill?

Meet Harvoni, which launched in October and costs $1,125 per pill, or $94,500 for a 12-week course of treatment. The drug comes from Gilead Sciences, which earlier this year broke records with $2.3 billion in first quarter sales of Sovaldi.

How much does generic Epclusa cost?

(Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir) Epclusa is an antiviral prescription medication used to treat hepatitis C, which is a viral infection of the liver. The generic version of this drug is sofosbuvir-velpatasvir. The average retail price of Epclusa is about $38,932.29 for 1, 28 Tablets Tablet.

How long does it take to cure hepatitis C?

Current treatments usually involve just 8–12 weeks of oral therapy (pills) and cure over 90% with few side effects.

How old do you have to be to get tested for hepatitis C?

Testing for Hepatitis C. CDC recommends hepatitis C testing if you: Are 18 years of age and older (get tested at least once in your lifetime) Are pregnant (get tested during each pregnancy) Currently inject drugs (get tested regularly) Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago. Have HIV.

How do you know if you have hepatitis C?

A simple blood test will tell if you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. More specific blood tests can assist in determining the status of the infection. There are three stages. Approximately 15-25% of persons with HCV are able to clear HCV from their system without medical treatment, known as resolved. Persons may be in an acute stage in which the virus is rapidly attacking the liver. Persons in the acute stage may have symptoms but the majority are asymptomatic. The virus may also be in a chronic stage during which time the virus is slowly attacking the liver. Most persons with

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

If symptoms are present they are generally mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue, and fever.

How is hepatitis C transmitted?

Transmission. Hepatitis C (HCV) is transmitted when the infected blood of one person gets into the blood stream of another person. Prior to 1992, persons receiving blood transfusions or other blood products were at risk. New screening tests have been used in the United States since 1992 to screen blood.

What to do if you spill blood?

Do not share personal items which could be contaminated with blood (i.e. razors, toothbrushes). Avoid unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Clean up spilled blood with bleach and wear gloves when touching blood.

Can you get HCV from a needle?

Health care workers who have been stuck by a needle or cut with other contaminated instruments may be at risk, although the risk is fairly low. Studies show the transmission of HCV through sexual intercourse is possible, but less common than direct exposure to HCV infected blood.

3 Answers

I also have HepC. Was diagnosed in95'. I did the only availabe regiment of Interferon and Ribavirin. It was supposed to be done for12 months. Interferon is a drug they give to kids with a type of cancer. I had to inject my constantly and take pills. This tore my body up.

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Hepatitis C Cure (Symptoms, Transmission, Treatments, and Cost)

Hepatitis C (HCV, hep C) is one of several viruses that cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It Is hard for the human immune system to eliminate the virus from the body, a ...

CHI St Luke's Health Sugar Land Hospital

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein.

What is the number to call for hepatitis C?

They can be reached at 877-HELP-4-HEP (877-435-7443). 5. The HealthWell Foundation. Individuals living with hepatitis C may get copay assistance from the foundation.

How long does it take to cure hepatitis C?

The course of treatment is also much shorter, ranging from 8 to 12 weeks rather than a year. One concern for people seeking treatment ...

Can hepatitis C be treated?

Hepatitis C can be effectively treated, but cost is often an issue. Here are some financial aid resources that can help you get the treatment you need. Since 2014, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have dramatically changed the landscape for hepatitis C treatment. These drugs are almost 100 percent effective in curing the disease, ...

What are some examples of financial support for hepatitis C?

For example, you might qualify for one or more of the following: copay, coinsurance, premium, or deductible assistance, if you have insurance. discounts on medication, with or without insurance coverage.

What to do if you are not happy with the price of a prescribed medication?

If you’re not happy with the price of a prescribed medication, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They might be willing to negotiate a lower price. They might also recommend another treatment plan that’s less expensive. Or they may have discount coupons or codes to use to reduce the price.

Is hepatitis C high cost?

The financial costs of treating hepatitis C can be high. But there are many strategies and resources that you can use to manage the costs of care. Take some time to learn about the resources that are available to you. Last medically reviewed on March 25, 2019.

Can you get hepatitis C if you have no insurance?

Overview. With proper treatment, most people can be cured of hepatitis C . But antiviral treatment can be expensive, especially if you have little to no health insurance coverage. Here are some strategies you can use to help manage the costs of hepatitis C.

Do clinics offer free care?

Some clinics offer free or low-cost care to people. Sometimes you may need to qualify for free or low-cost services based on your income and other factors. To find a free or low-cost clinic in your area, consider using one of these resources: Health Resources and Services Administration’s Find a Health Center.

Can you get experimental treatment for free?

If you’re willing to try an experimental treatment, you might be a good candidate for a clinical trial. By participating in a trial, you can receive experimental treatment for free. You might even receive a small payment for your participation. To learn about the potential benefits and risks of participating in a trial, talk to your doctor.

Can you get disability for liver disease?

Consider applying for disability benefits. If complications of liver disease have made it hard for you to meet your responsibilities at work, you might qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. If you receive Social Security disability benefits for two years, you will also be enrolled in Medicare.

Why are low cost clinics important in Houston?

These low cost clinics are important to the Houston neighborhoods they serve because roughly 20% of Houstonians are uninsured . One of the benefits of living in Houston is access to literally the best healthcare services in the world.

What is FQHC in Houston?

To receive treatment at a FQHC you do not need to be working or have health insurance. Because of this, FQHCs are ideal for anyone who is uninsured in Houston and needs medical care.

What does it mean when your medical bill is lower in Houston?

This simply means they will bill you according to your ability to pay. The lower your income is, the lower the scale will slide in regards to what your medical bill. The bottom line is if you are uninsured in Houston, underinsured, or recently lost your job these are all good options for treatment.

Transmission

Image
Hepatitis C (HCV) is transmitted when the infected blood of one person gets into the blood stream of another person. Prior to 1992, persons receiving blood transfusions or other blood products were at risk. New screening tests have been used in the United States since 1992 to screen blood. The majority of HCV is curr…
See more on dshs.texas.gov

Typical Symptoms

  • Most people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus do not have symptoms and lead normal lives. If symptoms are present they are generally mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue, and fever.
See more on dshs.texas.gov

Diagnosis

  • A simple blood test will tell if you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. More specific blood tests can assist in determining the status of the infection. There are three stages. Approximately 15-25% of persons with HCV are able to clear HCV from their system without medical treatment, known as resolved. Persons may be in an acute stage in which the virus is rapidly attacking the l…
See more on dshs.texas.gov

Can Hepatitis C Be Treated?

  • Treatment is recommended for all people, including non-pregnant women, with acute or chronic hepatitis C (including children three years or older and adolescents). Current treatments usually involve just 8–12 weeks of oral therapy (pills) and cure over 90% with few side effects. The FDA has approved several medications to treat hepatitis C.
See more on dshs.texas.gov

What Can A Person with Chronic Hepatitis C Do to Take Care of His Or Her Liver?

  • People with chronic Hepatitis C should be monitored regularly by an experienced doctor. They should avoid alcohol because it can cause additional liver damage. They also should check with a health professional before taking any prescription pills, supplements, or over-the-counter medications, as these can potentially damage the liver. If liver damage is present, a person shou…
See more on dshs.texas.gov

Testing For Hepatitis C

  • CDC recommends hepatitis C testing if you: 1. Are 18 years of age and older (get tested at least once in your lifetime) 2. Are pregnant (get tested during each pregnancy) 3. Currently inject drugs (get tested regularly) 4. Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago 5. Have HIV 6. Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease 7. Are on hemodialysis 8. Received donat…
See more on dshs.texas.gov

Prevention

  • Do not share needles or "works." Do not share personal items which could be contaminated with blood (i.e. razors, toothbrushes). Avoid unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Clean up spilled blood with bleach and wear gloves when touching blood.
See more on dshs.texas.gov

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