were do i go for finacial help?
thanks for any help
Comments
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Xeloda Costs
The co-pay is killer, I'm trying to figure out how to pay mine as well, welcome to the club, it sucks. My co-pay is 794.00 this time. I had to stop Xeloda last time, because I couldn't afford it, and look where I am now, back on the chemo wagon.
Have the assistant at your onc's office, get a hold of a place that will send your chemo now, before you pay the co-pay part. That is what I had mine do, so my co-pay is due after I got the pills, so it gives me some time to figure out how to come up with the rest of my co-pay. There are several companys for them to choose from for your Xeloda, the one that I'm using now, which requires the co-pay after the pills are sent is CareMed Pharmaceutical Services, I can't remember the name of the other one. If you can't afford the pills talk to your oncologist about the 2 day pump chemo, which is basically the same chemo, just given differently.
Winter Marie0 -
The first place you need to
The first place you need to start is Genentech. They have a co-pay card and most, if not all drug companies offer financial support with paying for their medications. A second place to start would be with your Oncologist. They, or someone in their office, should be able to point you in the right direction for financial assitance with meds, etc.
Best,
Joe0 -
I forgot about thatNJC said:The first place you need to
The first place you need to start is Genentech. They have a co-pay card and most, if not all drug companies offer financial support with paying for their medications. A second place to start would be with your Oncologist. They, or someone in their office, should be able to point you in the right direction for financial assitance with meds, etc.
Best,
Joe
Yes, if you are NOT on medicare insurance like myself, you can get the co-pay card, if you have medicare, you cannot. Why this is, I don't know, just the way it is. So if you have regular insurance, you can call and get that co-pay card, good thinking there Joe.
The people at Genetech were very nice and helpful as well when I called them a year or more ago. Here is their number:
Customer Operations
(800) 551-2231
6 a.m. - 5 p.m. PST M-F
Winter Marie0 -
help
Not sure where you are going for treatment, but if things are getting tight contact your doctor's office - they usually have someone that can help direct and advocate for you and at least give you some ideas. I went to MSKCC and after two years of unemployment while dealing with cancer and using up my life savings, they gave me a free ride for a year. It was just followup appointments and tests, but if I had to pay all I would have owed I don't know what I would have done. As it is we lost the house (had to sell - we are not homeless - yet), but things could have been much worse. Don't be afraid to talk to the folks at the dr's office and the hospital.
no shame in asking.
peace and best wishes
Rick0 -
Financial Aid
There's also the Co-Pay Assistance Foundation that may be able to help. I've been awarded $8000 per calendar year.
Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
275 Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10001
866-55-COPAY
www.cancercarecopay.org
I hope that you're able to get some help fast.0 -
That is terrible.
That is terrible. Fortunately i havent had to deal with that issue. I would try contacting the Colon Cancer Alliance. It is a fantastic and well run orvanization dedicated to helping people with CRC.0 -
The Wellness Community
Have you tried the Wellness Community? They are a Cancer advocacy group. A lot of times they just help negotiate the expenses. Sometimes they help you raise funds, or help one find grants.
The Wellness community also has a lot of information on health. Diet, exercise, etc... It started with a fairly wealthy wife of a Fortune 500 company getting cancer. She was extremely social and kept in touch with others after her surgery. She found not all got the same level of care. She wanted to do something about that for all to get a good level of care. A good group! I have been involved with helping before I got cancer.
Best Always, mike0 -
Drug Companiesthxmiker said:The Wellness Community
Have you tried the Wellness Community? They are a Cancer advocacy group. A lot of times they just help negotiate the expenses. Sometimes they help you raise funds, or help one find grants.
The Wellness community also has a lot of information on health. Diet, exercise, etc... It started with a fairly wealthy wife of a Fortune 500 company getting cancer. She was extremely social and kept in touch with others after her surgery. She found not all got the same level of care. She wanted to do something about that for all to get a good level of care. A good group! I have been involved with helping before I got cancer.
Best Always, mike
One can also contact the drug company specifically for the Chemo drug(s) they are prescribed. The companies will allow a discount per patient to a facility for the deductible, etc...
I have done this for others successfully. It takes several calls to find the correct person to help you, but is very possible.
Then the facility receives their money, and they give the facility a break according to the discount. It will look on the books that you paid. (This also can go against your out of pocket max.)
Best Always, mike0 -
There is Help
I don't know your exact financial situation...I went through some crazy stuff trying to get my chemo..this is what I've found out and it's worked for me.
Many hospitals will work with you on something called Medicade spend down..basically your bills add up and if you are spending over a certain amount of your income you can get government medical care...go to your local department of human services and say..I have cancer..I need help...ask about spend down..go to the appointment they give you.
If you don't qualify for that..talk to the financial aide/billing people...I go to Mercy Saint Johns in Springfield MO. Not sure where you're from..they hooked me up with free chemo!!!!! I had 3 back to back surgeries..worked part time..but made decent money and still qualified...
Talk to people and then talk some more..there is help out there! Best of luck.
Carrie0 -
Thanks alljen2012 said:Wondering how you are doing
Wondering how you are doing and if you've started treatment?
Thanks for the information everyone! I did get granted $4000 for the year through Genentech, so that will help me out for 4-5 months with the co-pay for my Xeloda, after that i will have to look into another option to help pay for treatment. But know i have lots more places to look into thanks to you guys!
Hi Jen2012 i am acutally getting a port put in tomorrow afternoon and then i will start my first round of Chemo on monday. a little nervous about it but am looking forward to feeling like i am activley doing something to get better. eventhough i have stage 4 colon cancer at age 30 i am feeling optomistic about beating this thing into submission
Thanks for asking Jen! How are you doing? 0 -
Greatbigman4christ said:Thanks all
Thanks for the information everyone! I did get granted $4000 for the year through Genentech, so that will help me out for 4-5 months with the co-pay for my Xeloda, after that i will have to look into another option to help pay for treatment. But know i have lots more places to look into thanks to you guys!
Hi Jen2012 i am acutally getting a port put in tomorrow afternoon and then i will start my first round of Chemo on monday. a little nervous about it but am looking forward to feeling like i am activley doing something to get better. eventhough i have stage 4 colon cancer at age 30 i am feeling optomistic about beating this thing into submission Thanks for asking Jen! How are you doing?
So glad you got some assistance. What type of port are you getting? Having a port is much better than going through the vein. Good luck with that tomorrow and starting treatment. Remember that we are here to help you through your journey and to answer any questions you might have.
Kim0 -
more than one Port?Annabelle41415 said:Great
So glad you got some assistance. What type of port are you getting? Having a port is much better than going through the vein. Good luck with that tomorrow and starting treatment. Remember that we are here to help you through your journey and to answer any questions you might have.
Kim
He Kim, i didnt know that there was more than one kind of Port, are there anyones that i should be aware of good or bad?
Zach0 -
Many people get a powerbigman4christ said:more than one Port?
He Kim, i didnt know that there was more than one kind of Port, are there anyones that i should be aware of good or bad?
Zach
Many people get a power port, which is one of the latest designs I believe. That is what I have. I don't know enough about the various types to provide any more information. Best of luck with your financial situation. Luckily, my insurance has been very good so far in dealing with my medical bills. I have a "network coverage" option which covers 100% of most costs (besides diagnostic or outpatient procedures, which is 90%) but everything is covered 100% after meeting the $400 deductible and $1200 out of pocket maximum each year. I also have stage 4 mCRC, but I am a little older than you at 46, and we have 6 kids!!!
Tedd0 -
power porttachilders said:Many people get a power
Many people get a power port, which is one of the latest designs I believe. That is what I have. I don't know enough about the various types to provide any more information. Best of luck with your financial situation. Luckily, my insurance has been very good so far in dealing with my medical bills. I have a "network coverage" option which covers 100% of most costs (besides diagnostic or outpatient procedures, which is 90%) but everything is covered 100% after meeting the $400 deductible and $1200 out of pocket maximum each year. I also have stage 4 mCRC, but I am a little older than you at 46, and we have 6 kids!!!
Tedd
Thanks Tedd, i will make sure to ask what they are puting in me tomorrow:) i thought i had good insurance, and i do but not that good:) congrats on your 6 kids, you must be busy all the time, running around after them
zach0 -
Portbigman4christ said:more than one Port?
He Kim, i didnt know that there was more than one kind of Port, are there anyones that i should be aware of good or bad?
Zach
Mine was a Power Port and when the nurses saw that they said "great we love these ones." Not sure what else they have on the market but that one was easily accessed. By the way, ask your oncologist for some "Lidocane" cream for your port. Get it before your first infusion, if possible. About an hour before your treatment time put some of that on (enough so it is visible) and don't rub it in, then put a bandaid on it until right before they access the port. It numbs the area and you won't feel the infusion poke at all. Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes.
Kim0 -
I'm glad you are getting
I'm glad you are getting started! There is a sense of relief once you know treatment is beginning. It was a month from diagnosis to my husband's first treatment and it was a horrible month. He's having his 4th treatment this friday. He's handled his pretty well so far - I hope you do too.
How's your wife handling everything?
I hope things went well with your port today and you are getting some rest.0 -
perhaps another source for financial help:jen2012 said:I'm glad you are getting
I'm glad you are getting started! There is a sense of relief once you know treatment is beginning. It was a month from diagnosis to my husband's first treatment and it was a horrible month. He's having his 4th treatment this friday. He's handled his pretty well so far - I hope you do too.
How's your wife handling everything?
I hope things went well with your port today and you are getting some rest.
patientresource.com
(also has listing of cancer centers by state, among other useful material)...steve0
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