via Tuan Nguyen
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
I just wanted to send a quick write-up of going after and obtaining a prescription for PrEP.
My experience was actually simpler and easier than the ones of some other people whom I've read about on your blog. I made the decision in August 2014, and when I make up my mind, then I just do it. I printed out the recommendations under the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for Truvada for PrEP, and took it to my primary care person, Allison.
I'm a scientist, and specifically chemist, by education and former careers, so I know enough to be dangerous (^_^).
Allison had not had prior experience with anyone requesting Truvada for PrEP, which didn't surprise me because I live in the middle of suburban straight-white-people-land. She's a fantastic certified nurse practitioner (CNP); knows my educational and career backgrounds, and medical history; and we have a great rapport. I carefully explained my reasons to her about why I wanted to start PrEP, and I'm pretty sure that the "I know enough to be dangerous" part helped quite a bit there. I was also confident, which goes back to when I make a decision, then I go for it. She was very supportive, and was more than willing to go ahead. I also let her know about the Gilead REMS site for medical care professionals.
I had my bloodwork done, which came back HIV-negative and with the proper creatinine levels. Allison phoned the order into my preferred pharmacy, but there was some sort of miscommunication because someone at the pharmacy forgot to order the Truvada, which was annoying but mistakes happen so I understood. Then the mail order pharmacy only shipped thirty days of a ninety day supply, and pharmacies can only give out exactly what's written on the prescription, so I had to wait a few more days haha. When I picked up the prescription, the retail cost for ninety days was $4991.99, and the Aetna member cost was $3881.80; however, with my Aetna prescription insurance, it cost ninety dollars. I'm mentioning this to give you some insurance data and pricing data for your website.
I'll also mention that I have scheduled in HIV testing every three months, and I also want additional routine bloodwork done to make sure that my kidneys are all right.
It's interesting how I had a relatively easy time of getting onto PrEP, similar to "Anon in Tampa", especially considering that I don't live anywhere close to a "large" city and/or influential medical university, and/or LGB area.
P.S. I forgot to enroll in the Gilead Co-Pay Coupon Card program, so I probably would have had my ninety dollar copay covered by Gilead. Ah well. I signed up, and I'll use it on my first refill (^_^).
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
I just wanted to send a quick write-up of going after and obtaining a prescription for PrEP.My experience was actually simpler and easier than the ones of some other people whom I've read about on your blog. I made the decision in August 2014, and when I make up my mind, then I just do it. I printed out the recommendations under the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for Truvada for PrEP, and took it to my primary care person, Allison.
I'm a scientist, and specifically chemist, by education and former careers, so I know enough to be dangerous (^_^).
Allison had not had prior experience with anyone requesting Truvada for PrEP, which didn't surprise me because I live in the middle of suburban straight-white-people-land. She's a fantastic certified nurse practitioner (CNP); knows my educational and career backgrounds, and medical history; and we have a great rapport. I carefully explained my reasons to her about why I wanted to start PrEP, and I'm pretty sure that the "I know enough to be dangerous" part helped quite a bit there. I was also confident, which goes back to when I make a decision, then I go for it. She was very supportive, and was more than willing to go ahead. I also let her know about the Gilead REMS site for medical care professionals.
I had my bloodwork done, which came back HIV-negative and with the proper creatinine levels. Allison phoned the order into my preferred pharmacy, but there was some sort of miscommunication because someone at the pharmacy forgot to order the Truvada, which was annoying but mistakes happen so I understood. Then the mail order pharmacy only shipped thirty days of a ninety day supply, and pharmacies can only give out exactly what's written on the prescription, so I had to wait a few more days haha. When I picked up the prescription, the retail cost for ninety days was $4991.99, and the Aetna member cost was $3881.80; however, with my Aetna prescription insurance, it cost ninety dollars. I'm mentioning this to give you some insurance data and pricing data for your website.
I'll also mention that I have scheduled in HIV testing every three months, and I also want additional routine bloodwork done to make sure that my kidneys are all right.
It's interesting how I had a relatively easy time of getting onto PrEP, similar to "Anon in Tampa", especially considering that I don't live anywhere close to a "large" city and/or influential medical university, and/or LGB area.
P.S. I forgot to enroll in the Gilead Co-Pay Coupon Card program, so I probably would have had my ninety dollar copay covered by Gilead. Ah well. I signed up, and I'll use it on my first refill (^_^).
No comments:
Post a Comment