Clinical Study

Bev1969
Bev1969 Member Posts: 48
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had my second chemo today. I also had signed up for the clinical study of taking an osteoporosis drug for three years. There are three drugs and they randomly select one of the three for each person. Two are in pill form and one is an IV. The IV would be once a month for six months and then one every three months. I was hoping to get a pill. Well, my bad luck continues and I was chosen for the IV. Then I found that the study pays for the drugs but not for administering the IV. I asked how much it would cost and she said around $317 each time. That would mean the first year would cost over $2500 and the other two years would cost over $1200 each. So it would be around $5,000 over the three years. And if they raise prices over the next three years, it would be more!! They called our insurance and, of course, they denied it since it is for a study. Our insurance has been good but we are having extra costs now with co-pays, etc. So, we decided to pass on the clinical study. I don't know if that is a good decision or not but we still don't know if there will be any co-pay on the chemo and radiation and reconstruction will be coming up after treatment ends. The hospital sent us a statement for the first chemo and said they are turning over $13,000 into the insurance company. WOW, I didn't know chemo was so expensive!

Comments

  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #2
    Clinical Study
    Hi, Bev, I know what you mean about the costs of trials. I thought it would all be free; but no, your insurance is billed for "standard of care" treatments, services, and other services are not covered. As far as the Zometa trial, everyone actually wants the IV, which is Zometa. I enrolled but my liver enzymes were just above the study requirements. If I had been able to enroll, I would have opted out if I had gotten into the pill arm.

    As far as bills, I was stunned, too, when I saw the cost of chemo. Just the drugs themselves. A Nulasta shot costs over $5000. Per shot. There are resources to help, though. The first that comes to mind is the ACS, of course, but there is also YME.com, and local foundations. Most hospitals also have reps who can assist you with finding resources.

    It is more than a shame that we have to deal with cost concerns and anxiety on top of treatment. I hope that you do find resources that will help. Others here will most likely post with ideas.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #3
    Bev, I opted out too
    I had a problem with this particular study (I was actually randomed into the pill). Realized later on that in this study there is no arm for not taking anything. The study is suppose to show that these drugs will help stop a mestasis to the bone. But they are comparing 3 drugs together without a 4th as a placebo. I called today and decided to opt out of it. After I did that, I realized I had already taken the blood test to start it. Now I am wondering if I will be billed for the test because I actually did not start it. And it was alot of bloodwork!! I guess it will be a wait and see situation. I think you did the right thing. :) Pammy
  • Bev1969
    Bev1969 Member Posts: 48
    #4
    Akiss4me said:

    Bev, I opted out too
    I had a problem with this particular study (I was actually randomed into the pill). Realized later on that in this study there is no arm for not taking anything. The study is suppose to show that these drugs will help stop a mestasis to the bone. But they are comparing 3 drugs together without a 4th as a placebo. I called today and decided to opt out of it. After I did that, I realized I had already taken the blood test to start it. Now I am wondering if I will be billed for the test because I actually did not start it. And it was alot of bloodwork!! I guess it will be a wait and see situation. I think you did the right thing. :) Pammy

    For me they just used the
    For me they just used the bloodwork that took for the chemo so they didn't do any special ones for the study.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
    Akiss4me said:

    Bev, I opted out too
    I had a problem with this particular study (I was actually randomed into the pill). Realized later on that in this study there is no arm for not taking anything. The study is suppose to show that these drugs will help stop a mestasis to the bone. But they are comparing 3 drugs together without a 4th as a placebo. I called today and decided to opt out of it. After I did that, I realized I had already taken the blood test to start it. Now I am wondering if I will be billed for the test because I actually did not start it. And it was alot of bloodwork!! I guess it will be a wait and see situation. I think you did the right thing. :) Pammy

    Tests for Clinical Study
    Pammy, a few blood tests were done specifically for the study. I didn't qualify, and was billed for the tests. It was about $300. The cost will be hard to argue against because the tests were not medically necessary, as my insurance requires. Wishing you better luck with your insurance. You probably will be ok, as my insurance is an HMO. (Didn't expect to get a "catastrophic illness" when I chose the HMO.
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #6
    Moopy23 said:

    Tests for Clinical Study
    Pammy, a few blood tests were done specifically for the study. I didn't qualify, and was billed for the tests. It was about $300. The cost will be hard to argue against because the tests were not medically necessary, as my insurance requires. Wishing you better luck with your insurance. You probably will be ok, as my insurance is an HMO. (Didn't expect to get a "catastrophic illness" when I chose the HMO.

    I am in that study you are
    I am in that study you are talking about. I took one of the pills-clodronate. My cancer center hasn't charged for anything related to the study and said upfront that I would never be charged anything related to participating in the study. I guess each hospital/cancer center is different. I feel it is worthwhile to take part because it might reduce the chances of recurrence.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #7
    Eil4186 said:

    I am in that study you are
    I am in that study you are talking about. I took one of the pills-clodronate. My cancer center hasn't charged for anything related to the study and said upfront that I would never be charged anything related to participating in the study. I guess each hospital/cancer center is different. I feel it is worthwhile to take part because it might reduce the chances of recurrence.

    They told me the same thing
    that I would not be billed anything related to the study. However, I was wondering because I didn't even get the first pill in me before I opted out. My only arguement is I signed the papers to be in the study, then had the bloodwork. So I feel the study should still pick up the tab. Lets hope!! :) Pammy
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #8
    Akiss4me said:

    They told me the same thing
    that I would not be billed anything related to the study. However, I was wondering because I didn't even get the first pill in me before I opted out. My only arguement is I signed the papers to be in the study, then had the bloodwork. So I feel the study should still pick up the tab. Lets hope!! :) Pammy

    Why are some bc patients
    Why are some bc patients asked to be in clinical trials? I was never asked. Does it have to do with their tumor size, staging, grade or what?

    Thanks!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #9
    DianeBC said:

    Why are some bc patients
    Why are some bc patients asked to be in clinical trials? I was never asked. Does it have to do with their tumor size, staging, grade or what?

    Thanks!

    I think....
    it has to do more with what facilities are participating in them and if you meet certain criteria to qualify (size, staging, grade, type, age, ER/PR status, etc.). :) Pammy

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