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Hepatitis (HCV) FAQs

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  • HCV was officially identified in 1989
  • There are 6 different genotypes of HCV; 75% of people w/HCV have Genotype 1, which is the hardest one to treat
  • The most common and severe symptom of HCV is fatigue.
  • There is no correlation between a person’s health and the concentration (viral load) of the HCV the person has (in terms of the health of the liver).
  • Sexual transmission is low-risk for transmitting HCV because it is transmitted from blood to blood.
  • There is some controversy about the risk associated with sexual transmission of HCV because many people who believe they acquired the disease through sexual activity also had other risk factors for acquiring HCV, such as intravenous drug use.
  • It is estimated that the risk of an HCV positive mother passing the virus on to her baby at birth is about 3-5%.  These numbers are only estimates, however, because many studies of HCV do not include people in prisons or the homeless.
  • When a person first contracts HCV they need to limit their fat intake.  When the disease is more progressed they need to limit protein intake because the liver develops problems with processing protein.
  • HCV puts a person at increased risk for acquiring liver cancer.
  • About one quarter of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with HCV. Those that contracted HIV through injection drug use have a co-infection rate between 50-90%.
  • HCV is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in the United States and liver damage resulting from HCV infection progresses more rapidly in HIV-infected persons. HCV infection may also impact the course and management of HIV infection.
  • HCV lives longer outside the body than HIV, and is infectious for at least 16 hours and up to 4 days. If you are protecting yourself against HCV, you are also protecting yourself against HIV.

 

Medicare

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Medicare covers services (like lab tests, surgeries, and doctor visits) and supplies (like wheelchairs and walkers) considered medically necessary to treat a disease or condition.  If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare plan, you may have different rules, but your plan must give you at least the same coverage as Original Medicare. Some services may only be covered in certain settings or for patients with certain conditions.

Medicare is funded through two trust accounts held by the U.S. Treasury:

  • Hospital Insurance Trust Fund which pays for:
    • Medicare Part A:
      • Hospital care
      • Skilled nursing facility care
      • Nursing home care (as long as custodial care isn’t the only care you need)
      • Hospice
      • Home health services
  • Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund which pays for:
    • Medicare Part B:
      • Medically necessary services: Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
      • Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.  You pay nothing for most preventive services if you get the services from a health care provider who accepts assignment.  Part B covers things like:
        • Clinical research
        • Ambulance services
        • Durable medical equipment (DME)
        • Mental Health
          • Inpatient
          • Outpatient
        • Partial hospitalization
        • Getting a second opinion before surgery
        • Limited outpatient prescription drugs
    • Medicare Part D:
      • Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare. If you decide not to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you don’t get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty.  To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered.

For more information on Medicare visit Medicare.gov The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare or contact your Care Coordinator.

Low Income Subsidy

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Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS).  The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year.  Extra Help pays for the costs of monthly premiums,  annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments related to a Medicare prescription drug plan.

To qualify for the Extra Help:

  • You must reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia;
  • Your resources must be limited to $13,440 for an individual or $26,860 for a married couple living together.  Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count your home, car or any life insurance policy as resources
  • Your annual income must be limited to $17,235 for an individual or $23,265 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples where your income may be higher are if you or your spouse support other family members that live with you or have earnings from work.

Your eligibility for assistance can be determined by either the Social Security Administration (SSA) or you Senior Services office.  To apply online or get more information on Low Income Subsidy visit the Social Security website.

Steps To Access Dental Care

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Dental services through HIV Alliance are available for those who have no or limited dental insurance. In order to access HIV Alliance paid for dental services you must be below 250% of Federal Poverty Level.  Dental funding is limited and may not cover all types of care.  HIV Alliance works hard to find services that meet the needs of the client and are within our funding abilities.  When possible HIV Alliance will refer you to the LCC Dental Clinics.  Below are a list of steps to help you identify how and when to access services through the Dental Clinic or a provider in your area.

  • Determine what dental benefits are available based on your insurance type. Ask you Care Coordinator if you have questions.
  • Schedule and attend appointment for care through your dental care provider.
  • When at dental appointment let your provider know that you have access to other funding and would like a treatment plan that covers all of your options, even if not covered by your dental insurance.
  • If services needed are not covered by your insurance, contact your Care Coordinator or the Dental Case Manager at HIV Alliance.
  • Provide treatment plan to your Care Coordinator or the Dental Case Manager.
  • Complete and submit Dental Clinic application for services through Lane Community College Dental Clinic.
  • In the event you are unable to travel to one of the Dental Clinic locations for health reasons, ask for assistance accessing a provider in your area.
  • Work with Care Coordinator or Dental Case Manager to schedule appointment.
  • Attend appointment.

Got A Story You Want To Share?

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Good, bad, or indifferent, we can all learn from each others experience.  We are also looking for small art pieces, poetry and other creative expressions to use in future newsletters.  Your story will help other clients see that they are not alone! We want to hear from you!

Write your personal story of up to 800 words and submit it in the form below.

[contact-form to=’ryandel@hivalliance.org’ subject=’Client Story’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Newsletter Submission’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Bueno, Malo, o indiferente, todos podemos aprender de nuestras inferencias de uno y otro. También estamos buscando arte como, poesía y otras expresiones creativas para usar en el noticiero del futuro. Queremos saber de ti!

Escribe su historia personal hasta 800 palabras y presentarlo en el siguiente formulario.

[contact-form to=’ryandel@hivalliance.org’ subject=’Client Newsletter Story’][contact-field label=’Nombre’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Correo Electrónico’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Sumisión de Noticiero’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Questions for the bio

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[contact-form to=’prdevelopment@hivalliance.org%26#x002c; anka0380@yahoo.com%26#x002c; klyueva@ou.edu’ subject=’Bio entry’][contact-field label=’Name as you want it to appear on the website’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Title’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Why did you choose to work for HIV Alliance?’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Who is your hero? And why?’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’What is one fact that is not known about you?’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’If you weren’t doing what you do today%26#x002c; what other job would you have?’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Program Director – Renée Yandel

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Renée Yandel

Program Director

541.342.5088 x113  Office
ryandel@hivalliance.org  Email

Why did you choose to work for HIV Alliance? I was in a class at LCC and the speaker was from HIV Alliance. She shared with the group the philosophy used at HIV Alliance – Harm Reduction and Client Centered Care. It was the first time I heard about an organization that really embraced these values and truly met individuals where they were in life. I began to volunteer in the kitchen, serving dinner to people living with HIV and they shared their stories with me. Their stories, their struggles, their loss and their perseverance had such a deep impression on me.

I also volunteered at the needle exchange because I had experiences with addiction and recovery and it led me to believe that the harm reduction approach would keep people and communities safer. From my first day here I have been honored to work for the communities we serve and for an agency that has never lost sight of its mission.

Who is your hero? And why? My mom is my hero. She has overcome huge obstacles in her life and has such a depth of compassion.

What is one fact that is not known about you? My family calls me Na-Na.

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have? Something that would allow me to travel internationally.

Paul Homan

Prevention Manager

541.342.5088 x117 Office
phoman@hivalliance.org Email

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Paul Homan came to HIV Alliance with a background in community engagement and project management, as well as extensive experience in working with diverse populations. During his undergraduate career, Paul was Field Director for Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s 2006 re-election campaign.  Paul earned his BA in 2010 from Portland State University, where he received the President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service.  Paul earned Master of Public Administration degree from the George Washington University in 2012. Paul currently serves as the HIV Alliance representative on the LGBTQ Advocacy Network of Marion County. He is a member of the Oregon HIV/Viral Hepatitis/Sexually Transmitted Infection Integrated Planning Group (IPG). He is also the PR Committee Chair for Eugene PRIDE Equality project.

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