Being poz - meds

[Westhamsmoker]

I am from the UK and if you are poz and on meds the meds are provided by our NHS and are free to us.

Just out of interest what is the position in other countries ? Obviously in particular the US if meds are not free are they expensive ? If they are does this deter guys from taking meds. Just looking to learn.

Thanks guys.

[Hottightass4u]

I think you accidentally posted this in the wrong section.

[Westhamsmoker]

oops sorry

[drscorpio]

Moderator's Note: This was originally posted in a story section in the Backroom. Sexual Health seemed like the right place for it. Please let me know if you want it moved elsewhere. 

[PozBearWI]

Thanks @Westhamsmoker.  USA guy, poz for 18 months.  Not on meds and not under any pressure from my HIV doc to do so.  My experience is mine and not generally shared.  Most poz folk I know have found some low copay methods of getting ARVs.  But with federal funding for research off the table it is unlikely we'll see anything new come along.  Unless those are put out by First World nations such as the UK or EU.

But I have extenuating circumstances.  Upon diagnosis I was informed I have been too successful in life and if I wanted to be on meds, I will kindly pay my pharmacy $4,500 per month.  I found that off putting, but perhaps others are cool with that.  

Ultimately, as we were learning a bit more about how HIV was behaving in my body; the concern for medicating reduced.  It was not progressing much at all.  In fact all the numbers fell into a line indicating I was pretty well controlled by my own immune system.  At the same time I was offered a grant to cover the cost.  I started to develop an inventory as my thinking was I would start; but did not want to begin when I could not rely upon monthly availability.  By the time I had that inventory; we learned even more about HIV within me, I was 9 months post diagnosis by this time.  The discussion I had with my doc was what my body does on its own, combined with other medications I was on which added challenge to my liver and kidneys already; why add an unnecessary drug for a marginal benefit?  It might be years before viral load gets to a point of concern, and CD4 stops rising and begins to drop again.  

With the current world debacle the chief toddler in the White House underway as we have this discussion; it might very well be the case I'll never have the option anyway.  The idea of growing disease is obviously not of concern to the new ones in charge.  Nor is fear of more fires, floods, famine, drought, etc.  In fact they seem to embrace is as a way to control us, for whom they refer to as "vermin".  We have reason for concern about Medicare and Social Security.  In fact it gives me NO COMFORT when the orange one says he won't touch it; as he most often speaks in opposites.  

[Poz50something]

Under the RAMQ ( Régie Assurance Maladie du Quebec) , there is a $100 cost that I pay every month for antiretroviral medication. 

[NWUSHorny]

I'm in the US and have decent insurance through my employer, currently paying a $50 co-pay for a 30 day supply of my meds.

[Erik62]

On 3/16/2025 at 11:41 AM, Westhamsmoker said:

I am from the UK and if you are poz and on meds the meds are provided by our NHS and are free to us.

Just out of interest what is the position in other countries ? Obviously in particular the US if meds are not free are they expensive ? If they are does this deter guys from taking meds. Just looking to learn.

Thanks guys.

Australia 🇦🇺 operates a "Pharmaceutical Benefits System", which provides a long list of drugs which (covers many chronic, infectious diseases, women's complaints etc), not comprehensive but new drugs constantly being added. This provides meds for Social sectors at subsidised costs & then free when a certain dollar levy is reached. Our GP's can also opt to bulk-bill patients which allow visits to be free or cost reduced. This does however leave a huge ability for the GP's to make huge profits off of the backs of the economically distressed.

[Erik62]

7 hours ago, PozBearWI said:

Thanks @Westhamsmoker.  USA guy, poz for 18 months.  Not on meds and not under any pressure from my HIV doc to do so.  My experience is mine and not generally shared.  Most poz folk I know have found some low copay methods of getting ARVs.  But with federal funding for research off the table it is unlikely we'll see anything new come along.  Unless those are put out by First World nations such as the UK or EU.

But I have extenuating circumstances.  Upon diagnosis I was informed I have been too successful in life and if I wanted to be on meds, I will kindly pay my pharmacy $4,500 per month.  I found that off putting, but perhaps others are cool with that.  

Ultimately, as we were learning a bit more about how HIV was behaving in my body; the concern for medicating reduced.  It was not progressing much at all.  In fact all the numbers fell into a line indicating I was pretty well controlled by my own immune system.  At the same time I was offered a grant to cover the cost.  I started to develop an inventory as my thinking was I would start; but did not want to begin when I could not rely upon monthly availability.  By the time I had that inventory; we learned even more about HIV within me, I was 9 months post diagnosis by this time.  The discussion I had with my doc was what my body does on its own, combined with other medications I was on which added challenge to my liver and kidneys already; why add an unnecessary drug for a marginal benefit?  It might be years before viral load gets to a point of concern, and CD4 stops rising and begins to drop again.  

With the current world debacle the chief toddler in the White House underway as we have this discussion; it might very well be the case I'll never have the option anyway.  The idea of growing disease is obviously not of concern to the new ones in charge.  Nor is fear of more fires, floods, famine, drought, etc.  In fact they seem to embrace is as a way to control us, for whom they refer to as "vermin".  We have reason for concern about Medicare and Social Security.  In fact it gives me NO COMFORT when the orange one says he won't touch it; as he most often speaks in opposites.  

I am so sorry for yourself & all US citizens who struggle for access to life improvement & saving drugs. Despite me being a GRUMP😡 on Australia's political idiacy, I do appreciate my ability to access free & subsidised hospital, GP & drug care. Hope your stats continue to keep you healthy. 

[BlueSaphir]

Being US based and have insurance. My insurance insist I copay $500 per month. Which is absurd. I have Gilead copay the rest.  I had the state of California copay the rest until they shaken up their policy. 
 

Personally US needs a complete healthcare overhaul with insurance too. 

[PozBearWI]

7 hours ago, Erik62 said:

I am so sorry for yourself & all US citizens who struggle for access to life improvement & saving drugs. Despite me being a GRUMP😡 on Australia's political idiacy, I do appreciate my ability to access free & subsidised hospital, GP & drug care. Hope your stats continue to keep you healthy. 

Hopefully that will remain if the authoritarians running there get in....

[PozBearWI]

@VivienCumSlut There is currently an authoritarian movement in Australia with elections coming up.  So it is certainly possible the Australian Trump if in the offing.  My hope is that our Australian brothers and sisters will learn from the USA and not elect the authoritarian.  Sorry you're confused...

[Poz50something]

22 hours ago, Erik62 said:

Australia 🇦🇺 operates a "Pharmaceutical Benefits System", which provides a long list of drugs which (covers many chronic, infectious diseases, women's complaints etc), not comprehensive but new drugs constantly being added. This provides meds for Social sectors at subsidised costs & then free when a certain dollar levy is reached.

As far as I am aware, this is also how the RAMQ operates. Heavily subsidised meds, to which new formulations and prescriptions are added, and free after a threshold has been reached.  Healthcare, being a provincial concern, I am not sure how the other provinces operate. 

[PozBearWI]

I think one of the interesting things for us to watch for is whether these social health programs continue or if the oligarchs gain more global control, and just decide that illness isn't their problem to solve....

[Pozme1981]

In uk the NHS will soon be gone tho and people that’s paid into it ar3 going to find it hard I know I am one of them