HIV Management Programme
HIV Management Programme
ABOUT HIV
The Platinum Health HIV programme is closely integrated and interactive with employer-driven HIV/AIDS programmes. Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, this virus interferes with your body’s ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. Without medicine, it may take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have full blown AIDS. There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there is medicine available that can dramatically slow down the progression of the disease.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS
To qualify for benefits, a member or dependant must register on the HIV/AIDS programme. A member must forward a clinical summary to Platinum Health that has been obtained from the treating doctor.
This summary must contain the relevant history, clinical findings, results of the HIV/AIDS diagnostic test as well as all the CD4 and viral load test results. Any additional results that have a bearing on the clinical picture or the impact the disease has on the patient, must be forwarded.
Examples of such tests include full blood count, liver function tests and specimens sent for microscopy.
The programme also makes provision for blood tests to follow the course of the disease and to measure the response to treatment, medicine and anti-retrovirals (ART), as well as medicine specifically used to fight the virus.
NEW HIV MEDICINE
TREATMENT PROGRAMME
The treatment programme covered by the Scheme is based on the HIV/AIDS funding guideline and approved treatment depends on the clinical parameters of each individual. The stage of the disease and the results of the blood tests determine what treatment will be covered and how the individual must be followed up. Cover is also provided for mother-to-child transmission in pregnancy and as post-exposure prophylaxis. Details can be obtained by contacting Platinum Health.
CASE MANAGEMENT CONTACT DETAILS
After-hours and emergencies contact number may not be used for general account and membership queries.
TELEPHONE
014 590 1700 or 080 000 6942
AFTER-HOURS & EMERGENCIES
082 800 8727
Specialist authorisation: plathealth@platinumhealth.co.za
Hospital pre-authorisation and authorisation: hospitalconfirmations@platinumhealth.co.za
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