Treatment for HCV can be expensive, but the good news is that help is out there. All of the pharmaceutical companies have a patient assistance program (PAP) to help uninsured people, and some also provide help for underinsured people to cover all or part of the costs of their drug. There are also pharmaceutical co-pay programs and non-profit organizations that can help with some additional support for co-pays. Check with each program for details.
Additional financial assistance and access advocacy programs
Harbor Path
Provides a single site for all patient assistance program applications for both HIV and HCV medications.
HealthWell Foundation
(800) 675-8416
Their newly formed hepatitis C co-pay assistance program can provide up to $30,000 to eligible patients who are insured and have an annual household income of up to 500% of the federal poverty level.
Link2Labs
A discount lab service for uninsured, low income and high deductible insured persons. They have lab services in all states except California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Their easy to use website allows you enter the labs you need, pay for them, find a lab near your zip code and receive your results securely online.
Medicine Assistance Tool
A free, confidential program offered by the pharmaceutical industry, this serves as a one-stop shopping site for over 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including around 200 offered by the drug companies themselves. They also have a directory of over 10,000 free or low-cost clinics that can be searched by ZIP code.
Needy Meds
Provides a one-stop site for patient assistance programs and other discount opportunities for a variety of pharmaceuticals; also has a very useful database to find free and low-cost medical clinics that can be searched by ZIP code.
Patient Access Network Foundation
(866) 316-7263
Has an HCV-specific program, and can offer up to $6,800 in financial assistance for eligible individuals.
Hepatitis C resources, services, and information
Caring Ambassadors
An education and advocacy organization whose website offers a wealth of information for people living with HCV. Their “Hepatitis C Choices” book offers a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the disease.
HELP-4-HEP
877-435-7443 toll-free
National hepatitis C support line staffed by peer counselors. Health education, resources, referrals for testing and treatment, and emotional support. Monday–Friday, 9 am–7pm EST.
Hep C Association
An excellent source for HCV news and information.
Hepatitis C.net
Provides education, tools and resources to help you manage your hepatitis C. Articles are written by people living with HCV (including some who have been cured), patient advocates, and medical providers.
HEP Mag
An excellent resource for hepatitis B and C news and information. Their blog series, written by people living with HCV, and other HCV advocates, is a great source of practical information and inspiration.
The Hepatitis C Mentor and Support Group, Inc.
An excellent resource for HCV support groups throughout New York, with links to many other resources for people living with HCV. They publish an excellent newsletter, too.
infohep
Based in the U.K., this is an excellent resource for viral hepatitis news and education.
Liver Health Connection
Array of services for people throughout Colorado. Excellent site for news and information.
National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project
Easily the best website for scientific results from HIV and HCV conferences and academic articles.
Treatment Action Group
National advocacy, research, and policy think tank on HIV, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis. They produce fact sheets, policy papers and an annual Pipeline Report.