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A plan to urge hepatitis C testing for all baby boomers could promote treatment and save lives, but a positive result could also cause problems getting various kinds of insurance.
A government proposal that all baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C may be drawing high praise for its potential health benefits, but it’s also raising questions about the unintended consequences of screening for those seeking insurance.
Experts in health insurance, life insurance and long-term care insurance warn that boomers who test positive for the blood-borne virus before being approved may dash their chances for coverage.
“I would never, ever tell anybody to delay getting any kind of medical exam,” said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “But you have an advantage over the insurance company if you apply for insurance before undergoing any kind of medical checkups.”
For the first time, government health officials suggested in May that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for the hepatitis C virus, which can destroy the liver.
The draft proposal, which could see a final ruling later this year, is aimed at getting some 800,000 baby boomers into treatment and potentially saving more than 120,000 lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Baby boomers make up about 2 million of the estimated 3.2 million people infected with hepatitis C, the CDC says. About three-quarters of those who have the virus don’t know it -- and many don’t think they’re at risk for it, said Dr. John Ward, director for the Division for Viral Hepatitis.
“Testing is the only way to identify these individuals in order to connect them to life-saving care and treatment,” he said.
Hepatitis C is spread through contact with contaminated blood or organs. It was widely transmitted through routine health care practices before the virus was identified in 1989 and before widespread screening of the U.S. blood supply began in 1992.
Social practices such as injection drug use and tattooing contributed to the problem, but so did unexpected transmission from routine exposures such as sharing toothbrushes or razors, even manicures and pedicures.
Getting tested may confirm the unsuspected exposure and prompt treatment, a plan that’s drawing praise from many of the dozens who publicly commented on the CDC’s draft proposal.
“This birth cohort screening, in my opinion, is the right methodology at the right time,” wrote Dr. Donald Jensen, a clinical and research expert in hepatitis at the University of Chicago. “The baby boomers are aging and need to be identified quickly before their disease and co-morbidities overtake them.”
But a positive test for hepatitis C also can raise worries for those who aren’t insured or who want more or different insurance.
“I am concerned that this will allow insurance companies to deny treatment for pre-existing conditions,” wrote Donna Bailey, a consumer commenter on the site.
Even treatment for hepatitis C might not guarantee acceptance since current protocols may not be 100 percent effective.
It’s true that hepatitis C is one of several chronic, life-threatening diseases that can exclude people from being insured, said Susan M. Pisano, vice president of communications for America’s Health Insurance Plans, the national trade association representing the industry.
“You would have a condition if you were diagnosed, the same way you’d have a condition if you had asthma, diabetes or another condition,” she said.
The difference is, a leading government health agency is suddenly recommending that an entire generation be screened for the condition in question.
CDC officials say they’ve considered the problem. About two out of three people diagnosed with hepatitis C have health insurance -- but about a third of those diagnosed do not, officials said.
“Considerations regarding insurance coverage are real, affecting individuals and their loved ones ... ” Ward said in a statement to msnbc.com. “ ... These issues are ones we must continue to consider as part of any implementation of these recommendations.”
Under the Obama Administration’s health reform law, insurers would not be able to reject adults with hepatitis C or another pre-existing condition starting in 2014. But the Supreme Court is expected to rule within the week on overturning all or part of the Affordable Care Act, so that mandate is unclear.
Anticipating that the hepatitis C proposal may become final, CDC officials are working with insurance providers, public health agencies, commercial labs and others to coordinate the mechanics of such large-scale testing.
Until something changes, at least one insurance broker advises his clients to think about the consequences of the test results.
“It’s up to you,” said Michael McDonnell, a financial adviser who works at Individual Commercial Brokerage in northern California. “Test or not, insure or not. If you’re going to insure, wait until you are approved before doing the test.”
Related stories:
- Boomers wonder: Why test ME for hep C?
- Readers reveal hopes, fears about health care hearings
- A modest proposal: To solve health spending crisis, tax cats
More than three million Americans already have the liver disease Hepatitis C, and according to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 30 baby boomers have it – and most do not know it. NBC's Robert Bazell reports.
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More governmental bull@!$%#!!!!!
And THIS is the reason why for-profit health care is a horrible thing...
So in order to protect your health and get insurance you should cease from getting any medical exams. Ah yes - love the logic of health care in the good old USA.
Well, insurance companies make money if you pay premiums but don't ever get care. That is their goal.
I posted earlier:
"I believe all health decisions should be between an individual and his or her doctor......period. Including the costs. No government, no insurance, you pay for yours, I'll pay for mine. I you can't afford it, tuff. If I can't afford it, tuff. Do not ask me to pay for yours and I promise, I will not ask you to pay for mine. Fair enough?"
And I got these stupid responses that I should also pay for schools, military, national weather stations, police, fire, etc. Healthcare is a personal expense and is not a social expense therefore should not be a social program. Everyone needs to factor into their lifestyles and budgets the cost of healthcare just like they do their big screens, trucks, trips to Vegas, beer binges, restaurants, mistresses, and fancy clothes. I should not have to pay for your healthcare....it is your responsibility, not mine, not the governments, not the tax payers, not my kids and grandkids. Grow up and take some responsibility. I have.
Big, so you can budget an extra 1 - 3 million dollars or so for your future care if you get sick or injured? Most people will never earn enough money to handle an expense that large. I applaud your good fortune that you can do that.
Btw, almost every other country in the world considers health care a human right.
Big is a social Darwinist, and thinks everyone is directly responsible for whatever happens to them, and if they can't afford to pay for the required care, they should simply die. He also has obviously never sustained a huge medical expense that would be impossible to pay even if you lived another hundred years. If Karma is working properly, he will get the opportunity to experience this sooner or later, and then whine loud and long about his circumstance. Tuff.
It amazes me how people can convice themselves to believe that! Like your comments, btw.
So everyone should pony up enough money to cover your'alls sorry butts and not take care of their own health? Great plan. Come by some weekend and try to sell that to me face-to-face. Come in the name of Aetna, Humana, Obamacare, et al. and you will get the same response. Buy your own health insurance and I will buy mine. I choose my coverage levels, premiums, terms, etc. You do the same but don´t expect me to automatically join your insurance company or your government program. At last glance (but I know it is fading), America is a free country where freedom of choice to buy insurance is a much more sacred right than healthcare.....think about it.
yeah right, what a load of bullspit. tell that to those that are denied for "pre-existing conditions" otherwise known as death-panels for profit
Hey Big Tex - HOW does one PLAN for getting Hep C EVEN though one LIVES clean????
I know THAT'S a tough one!
Not tough at all, Glenn. Most of life's dips, curves, hurdles, and reversals cannot be planned for so we all just make the best of things. I am sorry about your Hep c condition but I also commend you for seemingly coping so well. I noticed you never mentioned that you thought anyone else should pay for your treatments. Good idea.
Everyone should deal with life's good and bad events as they come but for sure, there are many things we can do to lower the risks. For those who choose to ignore the risks, society should never pay for your healthcare....You choose to lose so deal with it.
Interesting ploy by government to try to get more of the boomers behind the new healthcare law. Hmmm .... lets see if we can find a way to scare the largest generation into blindly supporting our program.
Yes Brian. and make sure you get your false positive test before the November election. Insurance companies are corrupt for sure but there is no more corrupt entity on the planet than government....especially an Obama/Holder government.
Mymom........
What is a social Darwinist? If you are referring to a belief in survival of the fittest then yes.....the fittest will always survive and Obamacare or any other wealth redistribution will not alter this. If you are sickly, have a disease that costs a lot to cure, or have defective major body parts.....you and yours will struggle to survive and eventually your genetic strain will be whooof, gone forever. This is how insurance companies expect to keep their costs down. We all die....some sooner than others. Insurance does very little to change this.
Big2Tex,
"What is a social Darwinist?"
Social Darwinism is a school of philosophy that developed in the late 19th. century whose advocates believed that the concept called "survival of the fitter" created by Darwin to explain the evolutionary survival of certain biological organisms should also be applied to human societies. It was a post-Darwinian development. I think it was primarily developed as a rationalization to justify the negative consequences of the Industrial Revolution and British Imperialism.
wow, adolph would be proud of your line of thinking
obviously you aren't a christian, since they are always railing about how "darwinism will cause people to lose their morals and believe in 'survival of the fittest'"
( a load of hogwash IMHO, but that is their line against evolution)
conservative christians constantly rail against evolution using the (logical fallacy-appeal to consequence)argument that "darwinism" will cause people to lose their morals and start believing in "survival of the fittest"
in your case, they may be right, tex
Obviously you are not a Christian but you have no idea whether I am one or not. You also know nothing of my morals, character, integrity, or any other personal trait that I may exhibit or reject.
I disagree with your hypothesis that "social darwinism" will cause people to lose their morals. I believe just the opposite. The socially fittest are those with the highest moral character and integrity so therefore social darwinism will likely lead to the eventual demise of all liberals. Hallelujah!!!!!!!
i'm sure you claim to be christian, but you're not even if you claim to be so.
you genuinely believe in eugenics regardless if you deny it or not. your so-called "morals" are entirely self-serving
your comments clearly show your morals, integrity and character, and they are truly ugly, the nazis thought as you do
Well, you don't get to judge so let's leave it at that. You have no idea with whom you chat so to try to espouse any knowledge of me what so ever is ridiculous. Just admit you know nothing and you will be better served. My comments do not clearly show anything other than what the statement conveys. No hidden meanings or agendas. Health insurance is not a right...never has been and never will be. I will continue to reject any argument that assumes I must pay for someones healthcare. If I choose to, so be it, if I choose not to, then that is my God given right.
"Your sure......I'm not........I genuinely believe................my morals are self serving........my comments clearly show............the nazis thought as I do...t"?????? Not even my own mother knows as much about me as you do and you get all of this from what.....two or three posts? You would appear to be a genius but since you are wrong about every assumption you are just another ignorant antagonist. You really should go back to school and hone those skills a little bit...check that...a lot.
Already know I have Hep C after several years of fatigue and looking at others who had MUCH more energy than me and did MUCH more in their lives than I ever accomplished. I would be worn out from taking care of two teens and that's just not normal.
Got hep c when received a 2 pint blood transfusion in 1981 with the birth of my son. Never did ANY drugs - no tattoos and only pierced ears.
No alcohol after 31 years of age AND minimal if any before between the ages of 21 and 31.
I have NOT treated my 30 years of hep c with anything but a liver biopsy which hurt like he** and naturopathic supplements which help me take care of my elderly mother who is bedridden and using most of my energy.
I do NOT trust the treatment that the medical community has put forward b'c it seems the cure is WORSE than the disease - I would rather MANAGE the disease and diminish it's affect on my body than try to eradicate it and feel the side affects of that for the rest of my life. B'c those side effects of interferon etc. sometimes NEVER are alleviated.
So thanks - I'll keep the disease in my body instead of the rough treatment which usually requires a year of my life and MORE exhaustion.
I am concerned about some of the comments that I have read here that are giving less than accurate information. Hep-C will not be discovered in a routine physical. Monitoring liver function tests will not always detect the need to be tested for Hep-C. I have stage 4 liver damage due to Hep-C that I contracted from a blood transfusion in 1975. I have never had an elevated liver enzyme test other than the hepatitis that I had following the transfusion that was incorrectly diagnosed as Hep-B. I have taken the treatment Pegatron that made me deathly ill for 9 months but it was better than the alternative, and I had to fight my health insurance company tooth and nail to get it and my cost was still 700.00 a month after insurance. By the way Interferon is a very old drug that should have been manufactured in a generic form years ago, but the drug companies foresaw the hep=C epidemic and fought releasing the patent. They wanted to give me a medication to help my nausea that cost 1800.00 a month. I refused because that was more than I earned at the time. Yes I am a boomer and I resent the comments that I have seen posted here. I am a college graduate, A registered nurse that has taken care of her elderly parents, never allowing them to be a burden on society, I have paid my way and raised 5 responsible children that are now productive citizens. Healthcare has been broken since big business saw a profit to be made in the early 80's . Shame on us for ever thinking that money should be made on the back of someone Else's misfortune!!!
well gee patti, it is sooo unfair to those poor insurance companies that they should be made to insure you. after those really hard working CEOs work really hard for their multi-million dollar bonuses cutting off insurance for anyone that is sick
(sarcasm off)
Awesome post! Here's an infographic we created called "Baby Boomer Blues: Which Pills are You Popping" that you and your readers might find interesting: com/p/resources/which-pills-are-baby-boomers-popping-infographic/