Frequently Asked Questions

Medication dosing will be dependent on the type of surgery the patients is having. HOC’s RN and Hematologist will work closely with the surgeon to determine the best plan of care.

HOC will help coordinate all follow-up doses.

At HOC, we’re happy to talk to you about your signs and symptoms of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. If you believe you may be suffering from a bleeding disorder and would like to speak to experts about receiving a diagnosis, please contact us. Our staff will be happy to assist in getting an appointment scheduled.

Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders are genetic conditions characterized by the body’s inability to clot blood properly. It primarily affects males and can be diagnosed at any age. Early detection is crucial for effective management and treatment. If you suspect hemophilia or another bleeding disorder, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in bleeding disorders.

We treat the following diagnoses:

• Hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency)
• Hemophilia B (Factor IX deficiency)
• Von Willebrand Disease
• Platelet Deficiencies
• Acquired Hemophilia
• Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)

We also work with individuals seeking a diagnosis.

HOC offers a wide range of treatment options for bleeding disorder patients, including medications, personalized nutrition plans, genetic counseling, physical therapy, and others. Schedule an appointment with our care team today to determine which treatment options are best suited to your needs.

• HOC is not currently participating in any clinical trials. If this is something patients feel strongly about participating in, please speak with one of HOC’s Registered Nurses.
• HOC does participate in observational studies. Our Nurse Coordinators would be happy to discuss all available opportunities at the patient’s next visit.

This will be discussed at a patient’s annual exam. There are medications available and the Hematologist will help to determine which medication would be best for the patient’s specific needs.

No, we offer all patients the ability to choose where they get their medication from. (Insurance may dictate where medication comes from)

Please give the Hemophilia Outreach Center a call. Our staff will be happy to assist in getting scheduled.

• Call the Green Bay clinic at (920) 965-0606
• Call the Wausau clinic at (715) 680-9810

Each patient will be seen based on their specific plan of care. All patients under the age of 5 are seen every 6 months or more often as needed. The majority of patients are seen once per year and as needed.

HOC coordinates with patients to obtain the medication needed whether patients get the medication through HOC or a Specialty Pharmacy (dependent on insurance).

• HOC will work with patients on the best way to get their medication. We have the ability to ship or deliver clotting factor to the patient’s home
• If patient’s receive clotting factor from Specialty Pharmacy, HOC will call in the prescription.

A bleeding disorder means the blood does not clot properly due to a deficiency of clotting factors.

• Hemophilia A
• Hemophilia B
• Von Willebrand’s (I, II, III)
• Platelet disorders
• Factor 7 deficiency
• Acquired hemophilia or von
• Willebrands
• Other rare bleeding disorders

HOC provides 24/7 On-Call Coverage. Patients will call HOC’s main number (Green Bay: (920) 965-0606 or Wausau: (715) 680-9810) and an answering service will take your information and page the on-call nurse/ physician who will call you within 15 minutes.

We are able to provide any clotting factor that has been approved by the FDA and is available on the market.

• Bleeds can occur anywhere inside or outside of the body. Bleeds on the outside of the body are much easier to identify as signs are visible (i.e. blood, purple and/or dark blue bruising, swelling, etc.)
• Signs of an internal bleed may include: swelling, redness, pain, warm to the area, decreased mobility in extremities, bright red or tar-like, black stool (Gastrointestinal bleed), confusion, blurry vision, slurred speech, headache, etc. (Brain bleed)

• Not all individuals with a bleeding disorder require medication.
• Medication will depend on the type of bleeding disorder and the severity.

Yes, our medical receptionist can either call or send text reminders.

Yes, an individual needs to be an established patient of the Hemophilia Outreach Center to utilize programs and services

Due to the complexity of each individual case, establishing as a patient can either done through physician referral OR you can contact an HOC Nurse Coordinator directly and they will guide you through the avenues of becoming an established patient at HOC.

• Hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency)
• Hemophilia B (Factor IX deficiency)
• Von Willebrand Disease
• Platelet Deficiencies
• Acquired Hemophilia
• Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)

• HOC – Hemophilia Outreach Center
• HTC – Hemophilia Treatment Center
• ATHN – American Thrombosis & Hemostasis Network
• HRSA – Health Resources & Services Administrations
• CDC – Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• NHF – National Hemophilia Foundation
• GLHF – Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation
• PSI – Patient Services Inc.

Mail in a check, over the phone credit card, Pay online, all forms in person

This will depend on a patient’s insurance coverage. HOC is able to bridge patients to patient assistance programs if needed.

Yes

Yes

Yes, there are many programs that may be available to you. Please contact us to speak with our Patients Assistance Coordinator. We will help coordinate which programs you situation may be eligible for.

HOC accepts a variety of insurances and will not deny an individual access to medical services based on their specific insurance, even if we aren’t currently contracted with that particular insurance. Please contact our office to inquire about whether we are contracted with the insurance specific to you. If we are not contracted, we can pursue the opportunity to contract with additional insurance companies specific to the community whom we serve. In addition, if you are an individual who is prescribed treatment with factor medications, your insurance may dictate where you obtain your factor medications based on your plan’s coverage of factor medications.

A flat fee that a patient has to pay per visit when you see the physician.

The amount a patient must pay before insurance coverage begins

The percentage of cost that you pay after the deductible is met.

Typically, this is the maximum amount that a patient should ever pay with insurance for a plan-year.

Check, cash, HSA FSA & Credit card

The patients and/or Guarantor

There are many reasons as to why an insurance company may not have paid. The most common is, with HSA plans, insurance coverage doesn’t typically begin until deductible is met.

• In most cases we are able to bill primary and secondary insurance.
• In the event that we cannot, it is due to compliance reasons pertaining to HOC’s federal grant

No, patients have the right to refuse seeing any ancillary discipline if it’s not pertinent to the patient and their needs.

• In person annual appointments typically take about 2 hours.
• Virtual annual exams typically take about 45 minutes- 1 hour

Frequency of appointment will depend on the physician’s orders. Typically, we require that patients be seen at least once per year to maintain an updated plan of care.

Patients need to bring an updated insurance card.

• Hematologist
• Nurse
• Physical Therapist
• Dietitian
• Dental Hygienist
• Behavioral Health Specialist
• Genetic Counselor
• Patient Assistance Navigator
• Program Coordinator

• A factor VIII (if hemophilia A in the family) or factor IX (if hemophilia B in the family) level is recommended for women who are known or possible hemophilia carriers.
• A factor VIII or factor IX level along with information about the woman’s history of bleeding in the past, can help our team assess your risk for abnormal bleeding.
• Our team has expertise and can help you get the testing and evaluation you need.

• Your chance to be a carrier depends on who and how many people in your family have a hemophilia diagnosis.
• We have the answers you are looking for. Our team would be happy to talk to you, get more information about your family history and address your questions. Call our team at 920-965-0606.

• Genetic testing can provide a definite answer about whether a person is a hemophilia carrier in many families.
• We have facilitated genetic testing for many women who want to know whether they are hemophilia carriers.
• Whether genetic testing is available to you to determine hemophilia carrier status depends on a number of factors including the following:
  • Has genetic testing already found the genetic cause of hemophilia for someone in your family with a hemophilia diagnosis?
  • How are you related to the person / people with hemophilia in the family?
• Next steps: call our team at 920-965-0606, we can help.

We treat the following diagnoses:

• Hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency)
• Hemophilia B (Factor IX deficiency)
• Von Willebrand Disease
• Platelet Deficiencies
• Acquired Hemophilia
• Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)

We also work with individuals seeking a diagnosis.

HOC provides continuous support for our patients and their families. Our genetic counselor is here to answer all of your questions and set you up with ongoing care plans tailored to your specific needs.

At your HOC comprehensive visit, you will meet with a genetic counselor (GC). Your HOC GC has training and expertise with helping people understand the medical, psychological, and familial implications of the genetic basis of bleeding disorders. We know that each person / family is likely to have a unique situation and questions. The GC can address your questions and share information that is individualized so it’s personally meaningful. Families often have questions about how a condition is inherited and who in the family is at-risk to have the condition or to be a carrier (depending on the condition) and how they can learn more about relatives’ genetic status. A family history helps the genetic counselor address many of these questions. Sometimes, genetic testing is necessary to address these questions. Through genetic counseling at HOC, individuals can access genetic testing when it’s indicated. Genetic testing can also be helpful delineate a diagnosis if the diagnosis is unclear. Sometimes genetic testing can be offered to blood relatives depending on the situation. GCs have a depth of knowledge about facilitating appropriate genetic testing, interpretation of test results, and next steps. We look forward to meeting with you.

Affordable Care Act (abbreviation of PPACA)

American Thrombosis & Hemostasis Network

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Food and Drug Administration

Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation

Hemophilia Federation of America

Department of Health and Human Services

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

Health Maintenance Organization

Hemophilia Outreach Center

Health Resources and Services Administration

Hemophilia Treatment Center

National Hemophilia Foundation

Office of Pharmacy Affairs

Patient Assistance Program