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Helping Hand for Mesothelioma and Other Cancer Sufferers from Pharmaceutical Companies
Open Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
November 23, 2009 — On top of everything else the mesothelioma patient and their loved ones may be facing, there is the costly financial aspect of treating the disease. The skyrocketing costs of medical care and cancer treatment drugs are additional worries that mesothelioma patients and their families do not need. A recent study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and collaborated on by the Harvard Medical School, Harvard Law School and the Ohio University found that, in 2007, 62.1% of all bankruptcies were due to medical bills. Of those bankruptcies due to medical bills, 69.2% had health insurance.
Drug Companies Step Up to the Plate
In order to alleviate the stress drug costs may add to an already stressful situation, major chemotherapy drug companies are offering some form of financial support. Depending on the program, they may offer assistance in:
- » Filing insurance claims
- » Negotiating with insurance companies
- » Financial resource information
- » Reimbursement for uncovered expenses
Of those that offer assistance, the following three pharmaceutical companies have programs aimed at drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma and other cancers:
Eli Lily’s Patient One: From the makers of Alimta®, a drug used in the treatment of mesothelioma, the Lily Oncology program assists patients who are candidates for Lily’s cancer treatment drugs. The program assists with insurance verification, claim submission, payment methods including what is allowable, drug information and coding, and claims appeals. It is available to insured, underinsured and uninsured patients.
Bristol–Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Programs: Bristol–Myers has several programs to assist patients with getting Bristol–Myers medicines.
- » Bristol–Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation: A program that includes 15 drugs. Although eligibility varies by medication, generally patients must establish that they have financial hardship, lack public or private prescription drug coverage, and are either U.S. citizens or legal U.S. residents.
- » Destination Access:
A program set up to help eligible patients have access to specific Bristol–Myers drugs used to
treat cancer. It includes ERBITUX® (cetuximab), IXEMPRATM (ixabepilone), and SPRYCEL® (dasatinib).
- » Uninsured patients who meet other program criteria may be eligible to receive the above drugs for free.
- » Insured patients are provided reimbursement services including:
- » Benefits investigation
- » Prior authorization assistance
- » Appeals assistance
Pfizer First Resource: A program offering reimbursement and assistance to help patients get the Pfizer medicines they require. It includes Ellence® (epirubicin hydrochloride injection), a medicine used in the treatment of mesothelioma. Eligibility requirements include that you have either no prescription coverage or not enough, meet specific income guidelines (adjusted according to family size), be a resident and be treated by a licensed physician in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
If you or a loved one are currently a mesothelioma patient and are taking a cancer treatment medication manufactured by one of the above drug companies, we encourage you to visit the web sites linked above for more information.
Other Prescription Assistance Available for Mesothelioma Patients
The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers comprehensive information on their site on Prescription Drug Assistance Programs. They also provide step–by–step advice to apply for Patient Drug Assistance Programs.
One such program, The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), is a group of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations and community groups which have come together to help patients who qualify get the medicines they need. It provides access to over 475 public and private assistance programs that include 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.
Medicare Part D offers new benefits for drugs that were not covered in the past. Previously, Medicare covered those prescription drugs given in a doctor’s office or treatment center. Under Part D, cancer drugs prescribed for you at the local pharmacy may also be covered.
Other Support for Those Facing the Challenge of Living with Mesothelioma
Finding and creating a supportive network of caring family members, friends and professionals, may be some of the most potent help a mesothelioma cancer patient can receive. Mesothelioma, a disease that takes its victims’ breath and life, causes intense emotional pain for both the patient and their family. After receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma, there are many decisions to be faced, among them:
- » What mesothelioma treatment option may be the best for me?
- » Where can I get the best medical care?
- » Are there medical centers that specialize in treating mesothelioma?
- » Who are the doctors who specialize in mesothelioma treatment and where are they located?
They also face the task of telling those they love and care about and finding ways to cope with this devastating disease. Often support groups can offer comfort and supportive environment from others facing the devastation that mesothelioma causes.
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