West Virginia Eliminates Waiting List for HIV Medication

West Virginia's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) eliminated its client waiting list last fall thanks to Medicare Part D insurance and state funding.

"Right now, we have a staff of case managers that work at Title III clinics at Charleston Area Medical Center, West Virginia University, and other access points," said Jay Adams, the state's HIV care coordinator. "If someone infected needs drugs, now they fill out an application and usually receive the drugs within four days."

Medicare Part D insurance saved the state money, since it was a primary payer for eligible clients' HIV treatment. ADAP was used as a secondary insurer, and the state Legislature kicked in an unspecified amount of funding to cut the waiting list. The program was able to add six new medications to the formulary, including Fuzeon and Aptivus.

"There were some patients that we might have been paying $1,300 for," said Adams. "Then, after the Medicare Part D, we only had to pay $60 for them. It provided us with significant savings."

West Virginia's ADAP waiting list was officially active from February 2003 to July 2006, though some names were not removed until late August or September. The number of clients fluctuated and at one point reached more than 40, said Adams. "Our staff worked very diligently to make sure those people waiting got their medications and didn't go without them," he said. "I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night if they didn't."

State residents needing medication assistance should telephone 800-434-9443, access code 44, or 304-232-6822.

Back to other news for January 11, 2007