There are an estimated 1.2 million people in the US living with HIV, and roughly 1 in 8 people are undiagnosed. The virus attacks your body’s immune system and weakens its ability to fight infections. When HIV is untreated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and the body becomes even more at risk for opportunistic infections.

While antiretroviral therapy has been available to treat HIV-positive patients for some time now, certain antiretroviral medications are also FDA-approved to be taken daily to prevent the risk of becoming infected with HIV. This treatment, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is intended for people who do not currently have HIV but are at risk for contracting HIV. Overall, PrEP has shown to reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact and injecting drugs by 99% and 74%.

The main goal of any PrEP treatment is to prevent the transmission of HIV to an uninfected person. There are multiple treatments available to help reduce the risk. Regardless of which medication a patient takes, these medications must be taken consistently every day as prescribed. It is also crucial to not skip or miss doses. Possible side effects from PrEP medications primarily include nausea, but in general, these medications are well-tolerated. Despite this, it is still important to tell a healthcare provider about any side effects experienced.

Advances in antiretroviral treatments have made it possible for patients to live healthy, vibrant lives. That said, patient management programs are very valuable to patients whose ability to take their medications as prescribed has direct impact on the long-term success of their treatment.

It’s AIDS Awareness Month, and we want to recognize and remember those lost to AIDS, support those living with HIV, help to spread awareness about prevention and treatment, and provide information around our patient-centric AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) services that have helped so many patients.

By the numbers

Did you know that more than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today, and one in seven don’t even know they’re infected?¹ Thanks to significant improvements in treatment over the last few decades, HIV/AIDS patients are living longer, more prosperous lives than ever before. In 1996, the total life expectancy for a 20-year-old person with HIV was 39 years. In 2011, the total life expectancy increased to about 70 years.²

Even though many advancements have been made in treatment, the fight’s not over yet. You may have noticed that HIV/AIDS is no longer getting the attention that it used to, but these patients are still very much in need of quality care and treatment.

Our ADAP services: It’s all about the patient

At Magellan Rx Management, we offer differentiated programs for our HIV/AIDS patients. We’re not just another PBM, enrolling members and processing claims. To us, the most important thing is that these patients receive the care they need to thrive and manage their condition.

Our approach puts the patient at the center; they are the sole focus. While our comprehensive AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) solution offers claims processing, prior authorization, coordination of benefits, and many more core functions, we don’t just stop there.

Our #1 goal is to make sure that every patient who qualifies for treatment, gets treatment.

Going the extra mile

When we say we strive to get these patients the care they need, we mean it. One of our patient’s insurance had lapsed right before becoming a Magellan member, and as a result, was refused costly treatment in the hospital.  Our team truly went the extra mile – calls were made to both the insurance company and the hospital to make sure the patient received the necessary treatment.

We also go the extra mile at the client level.  Recently, we implemented our ADAP program and here is what the client had to say:

“Again the Magellan team is exceeding our expectations!  You guys continue to be a joy to work with!”

We wholeheartedly believe in leading humanity to healthy, vibrant lives and that means doing everything it takes to make sure our HIV/AIDS patients are getting the care they need.

Click here to learn more about our ADAP services.

¹ Content Source: HIV.gov.Date last updated: July 11, 2018. (2018, September 25). U.S. Statistics. Retrieved December 7, 2018, from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics
² Scaccia, A., & Madell, R. (n.d.). Facts About HIV: Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outlook. Retrieved December 6, 2018, from https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/life-expectancy