AIDS Counseling

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

AIDS Counseling

Associated Press (10/26/93) (Davis, Amanda)

A retired financial planner infected with HIV spoke at a recent AIDS conference in Kansas City about how AIDS patients can manage the burden on their financial situations. "The most common mistake HIV-positive people make is not doing anything," declares John Darragh. Because only 6.1 percent of people with full-blown AIDS live more than five years, time is of the essence. Lifetime medical costs run about $100,000, but expensive treatments, hospital stays, and home care can raise that figure to as much as $1 million. Many sources provide protection to help defray these costs, says Darragh, listing government entitlements, job benefits, and health and life insurance as examples. But because health insurance does not generally cover travel expenses associated with treatment and drugs, it's crucial to have disposable income readily available. Darragh recommends that AIDS patients keep open lines of credit by paying bills on time, and by opening new credit card accounts. He also suggests that people with AIDS can tap into retirement money. "Many guys have 401k plans that you can't touch till you're over 65," explains Darragh. "But if there's a medical emergency, they can take the money out without penalty and put it in a fixed-income investment and take the income." While life insurance may seem pointless for someone not expected to live very long, some policies provide quick cash through viatical settlements--selling policies fro 50 to 70 percent of their face value--or accelerated benefits.

931027
AD931945

Copyright © 1993 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1993. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1993. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.