That's approx $160 that somebody or group would have been splitting as extra profit. Multiply that by 100k people. That's ballpark $16 million before taxes.
Which brings another question up. What percentage of these huge Pharma companies and legal offices use off-shore banks?
On another note, I can't understand how a family can afford to have full coverage for medical, dental, vision and burial for a fam of 5+ ppl for 20+ years.
My only data point is my statin perscription. Generic Lipitor (Atorvastatin). At the time a two month supply was around sixteen bucks. I went in for a refill and was handed a bottle with a price of $176 and change. When I sau "Uh. There must be some mistake, the pharmacist looked at me and said "Oh, are you self pay...here". He hit a couple of buttons on the label printer, spit out another label and slapped it on. Right around $14.75. I commented and he said "Yeah, that's the game they play" and shrugged. Game is too kind a word.
You may recall that Congress specifically prohibited Medicare and Medicaid fro bargaining with drug companies...
'I noted in my last post and the likelihood that, given predatory insurance company pricing policies, the cost to insurance companies (and ultimately ratepayers) is probably 3-5X the $22,000 self pay amount.'
My insurance has never covered anything prescribed or ordered by my PCP, because she's a naturopath. It doesn't matter if it's a common antibiotic or a mammogram that would ordinarily be covered. But sometimes a pharmacy or secondary provider will charge me what they charge insurance companies instead of the self pay amount. Given 20 plus years of this I can confidently say that, no, rather than insurance paying far more than self payers, it's substantially less. I would be surprised if insurance companies paid as much as $6k per dose, even if it is a mandate.
Interesting articleon NBC today regarding PrEP
ww w .msn . com/en-us/health/other/appeals-court-finds-obamacare-pillar-unconstitutional-in-suit-over-hiv-prevention-drug/ar-BB1oFqiJ?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=044a3574322e4115b55774cabbc2a53f&ei=17
In reading more on this topic, the Federal government had, in 2023, mandated that insurance companies cover PrEP without copays. I found this shocking given the cost I noted in my last post and the likelihood that, given predatory insurance company pricing policies, the cost to insurance companies (and ultimately ratepayers) is probably 3-5X the $22,000 self pay amount. Consequently I do not find this lawsuit surprising at all. This seems like it coud be an existential threat to health care companies. Interestingly the CDC changed it's prescribing guidellines from peope with partners with HIV and those in very high risk groups (Men having sex with Men, IV drug users, sex workers) to anyone who is "at risk" and asks for it.
@Fantasy Genie
You say you are on PrEP but list as straight. Does your insurance cover the cost? If so underwhat circumstances?
According to GoodRX the annual cost of PrEP self paid is $22,000-$30,000. According to another source it is $1,800/month ($21,600/year) plus the cost of testing 4x times per year.
Just reading this and can't believe there's a stigma for actually being proactive and using something like PREP.
Anyone can use it, its not just for homosexuals or people sharing needles. I use PREP because I don't have a monogamous lifestyle, and play with strangers in the Swinging community - which is why I find it ironic that someone would be judged for trying to be safer.
Its been 8 months I have been taking it. Yes I use condoms and I get tested 4 times a year for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV - its actually part of the requirement to be on PREP - which I think is another pro active practice.
Side effect: Since some have asked, some people have shown that long term use it may effect your liver and kidney health like many medications. Part of my quarterly testing is to have a full panel test done to check on the health of liver and kidney to make sure the medication is not causing any issues.
So 8inch is on prep.If a man has to get on prep he most likely been where it doesn’t belong
But what side effect damage is this drug doing to your organs and nervous system? Could it make you more susecptible to cancers?
Millions of ppl won't vax for COVID or give their kids immunization for diseases..... But would take this drug?
FYI. From what we have seen and heard, in order to get the prep prescription you have to test for gonorrhea, syphilis and Chlamydia as well as hiv.
I think those attitudes probably stem from PrEP being associated with men on men activities, which is higher risk. The testing every 2-3 months while great, is typically just for HIV and not other STIs.
From what I can discern only about 1% of heterosexuals use PrEP while something like 40% of gay and bisexuality men do. So, yeah, I think it has a homosexual association
Being on prep means you have to get tested regularly. Usually monthly but sometimes quarterly. The doc can't prescribe it without a negative HIV test.
I'd be more likely to play with someone on it than label them as high risk. It means they take the risks seriously, that they are open with their doctor, that they get tested regularly.
It’s seems like if someone is interested enough in playing safe to be on PrEP, then they’re probably a good bet. That shows a lot more dedication to their own and their partners’ safety than most people in the lifestyle. If nothing else, it means they’re open enough about their sex life to discuss it with a health professional in order to get the PrEP.
Prep would mean the person tests every 3 months which is much more than most people test so that's a good thing. I do understand shying away from guys on prep as that "probably" means he's BI but at least you know he tests and probably has test results to show. If the guy had recent test results we'd be more likely to play with him but we don't do bare regardless.
Very interesting OP first time we have heard of this.. but we see why.
Now on that note we have been swinging a long time, well over 25 years.. it was always condoms and just recently we are no longer using condoms.. we understand "our" risk but as stated everyone has their own risk tolerance. So I guess its everyone's own risk tolerance. Would we play with him.. NO!
We had an interesting thing happen to us. We were at a party and talking with a couple who pointed out a single guy at the party. They said they won't play with him because he is on PrEP (pre exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention). At first we thought they thought he had HIV, but once we clarified that they went on to say being on PrEP meant he was a high risk person. We weren't sure what to think of that....PrEP reduces HIV chances tremendously, but if someone takes it, does it mean they are more risky in their activities? Is that like saying wearing a seatbelt will allow you to drive recklessly compared to not wearing one? What is everyone's thoughts?
