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shifting gears – need urgent info on any fin. aid programs for Temodar
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shifting gears – need urgent info on any fin. aid programs for Temodar

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › shifting gears – need urgent info on any fin. aid programs for Temodar

  • Post
    • August 18, 2010 at 10:39 pm
    amybusby
    Participant

      Now that my spinal fluid has been cleared up, my leptominingial mets are getting a bit worse (lining of my brain).  So Dr. Papa thinks I should do a 10 day course of WBR along with Temodar.  I was expecting that would probably be the results / recommendations.  Problem is how much of the T. cost is my insurance going to cover?  Hopefully I'll know tomorrow, but since I needed to start it tonight, we're already behind schedule.  Has anyone had any success with assistance?

      Now that my spinal fluid has been cleared up, my leptominingial mets are getting a bit worse (lining of my brain).  So Dr. Papa thinks I should do a 10 day course of WBR along with Temodar.  I was expecting that would probably be the results / recommendations.  Problem is how much of the T. cost is my insurance going to cover?  Hopefully I'll know tomorrow, but since I needed to start it tonight, we're already behind schedule.  Has anyone had any success with assistance?

      I've heard it's not too bad but I'd like any advice / input on the WBR / T. treatment too!

      Thanks,

      Amy

    Viewing 6 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 18, 2010 at 11:11 pm
        babybluiz
        Participant

          I am sorry you are having to go through this. I am not familiar with any of the treatments that your oncol is wanting you to participate in. I do know an organization that could possibly assist you financially with the drug cost . Patient Advocate Foundation has a program call "Co-Pay Relief" here is the link to their actual Website http://www.patientadvocate.org/. They have several different programs to assist patients with any type of illness.  I hope that you are able to find the assistance you need through them. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Best of luck with treatment

          Take Care

          Laura

          • August 18, 2010 at 11:55 pm
          Alicia15
          Participant

            Amy,

            I might be able to help. I need your email.

            Alicia

             

            • August 19, 2010 at 12:17 am
            JenM
            Participant
              Hi Amy,
              I just completed 3 cycles of Temodar and I can’t really complain of too many side effects except for fatigue. And I highly recommend following the directions about taking the drug on an empty stomach. I made that mistake the first cycle and had really bad nausea.

              Good luck with the financial research and treatment results.

              P.S. I have only been on this board since ’09 but have followed your posts and you are such an inspiration to me and so many. It sincerely was a privilege to respond to u and give u some information hopefully it helped. Again, best of luck…praying for you, as everyone else on the board…when I read the other posts it is so clear what a special person u are and how loved u are by so many…it just leaps off the pages!!!

              • August 19, 2010 at 12:24 am
              MichaelFL
              Participant

                 

                Try this Amy:

                http://www.rxassist.org/pap-info/company_detail.cfm?CmpId=50

                 Good luck, Michael

                A REIMBURSEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
                ONCOLOGY PATIENTS TAKING TEMODAR

                Schering Corporation is dedicated to improving the lives of patients, working to develop new treatments, advancing public awareness, and supporting patient groups. COMMITMENT TO CARE® has been designed to ensure that oncology patients have access to therapy, regardless of their ability to pay, and is just one of several patient-support programs offered by Schering.

                 

                 

                IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SCHERING'S COMMITMENT TO CARE®

                A comprehensive compassionate drug and reimbursement assistance program in the United States, helping more than 75,000 patients since inception (1996)

                Compassionate drug program eligibility based on income, with no limit on assets

                Assists patients and providers with all aspects of reimbursement assistance to ensure that access to Schering oncology medications is not limited by the patient's ability to pay

                UNLIKE MOST OTHER REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS, COMMITMENT TO CARE:

                is telephone based

                offers the patient easy access to a reimbursement assistance specialist with rapid follow-up

                eliminates extensive paperwork

                does not require that patients be indigent to qualify for assistance

                PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

                To help eligible patients taking TEMODAR® find reimbursement assistance for their therapy

                PROGRAM BENEFITS & SERVICES

                Phone assistance available weekdays, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

                Simple patient enrollment procedures with minimal paperwork

                Researches reimbursement assistance sources for individual patients

                Verification and exploration of insurance coverage

                Assistance in acquiring pre-authorization or pre-certification from insurance companies for oncology therapy

                Assistance in appealing insurance company denials

                Consideration for a compassionate drug program when reimbursement assistance  

                sources cannot be found

                Referrals to state and local assistance programs

                 

                Reviews of Medicare and Medicaid benefits to ensure accurate and updated coverage information

                Call toll free 1·800·521·7157

                REIMBURSEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
                ONCOLOGY PATIENTS TAKING TEMODAR®

                About Schering's COMMITMENT TO CARE®

                Schering Corporation is dedicated to improving the lives of patients, working to develop new treatments, advancing public awareness, and supporting patient groups. COMMITMENT TO CARE® has been designed to ensure that oncology patients have access to therapy, regardless of their ability to pay, and is just one of several patient-support programs offered by Schering.

                PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

                To help eligible patients taking TEMODAR® find reimbursement assistance for their therapy

                Call toll free 1·800·521·7157

                IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SCHERING'S COMMITMENT TO CARE®

                A comprehensive compassionate drug and reimbursement assistance program in the United States, helping more than 75,000 patients since inception (1996)

                Compassionate drug program eligibility based on income, with no limit on assets

                Assists patients and providers with all aspects of reimbursement assistance to ensure that access to Schering oncology medications is not limited by the patient's ability to pay

                UNLIKE MOST OTHER REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS, COMMITMENT TO CARE:

                is telephone based

                offers the patient easy access to a reimbursement assistance specialist with rapid follow-up

                eliminates extensive paperwork

                does not require that patients be indigent to qualify for assistance

                Schering's COMMITMENT TO CARE® is open to any and all callers — from patients to professionals.

                PROGRAM BENEFITS & SERVICES

                Phone assistance available weekdays, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

                Simple patient enrollment procedures with minimal paperwork

                Researches reimbursement assistance sources for individual patients

                Verification and exploration of insurance coverage

                Assistance in acquiring pre-authorization or pre-certification from insurance companies for oncology therapy

                Assistance in appealing insurance company denials

                Reviews of Medicare and Medicaid benefits to ensure accurate and updated coverage information

                Consideration for a compassionate drug program when reimbursement assistance sources cannot be found

                Referrals to state and local assistance programs

                For your patients taking TEMODAR®

                Reimbursement assistance information

                Easy access to a reimbursement specialist to explore financial assistance options:

                reimbursement assistance

                patient assistance programs

                insurance verification, pre-authorization or pre-certification, and denial appeals

                referrals for assistance

                Medication may be provided at no cost based on financial need and insurance coverage status

                Schering's COMMITMENT TO CARE®
                Reimbursement Assistance Program
                1·800·521·7157
                • August 19, 2010 at 12:32 am
                Alicia15
                Participant

                  Amy,

                  I found the same info as Michael, so you can try calling the number listed on the website. I will see what I can find out within the company but I am sure it will be the same or similar info. Let me know if you need any help.

                  Best wishes,

                  Alicia 

                  • August 19, 2010 at 1:33 am
                  jag
                  Participant

                    Amy, did you get biochemo already?

                    I would make an appt with a neurosurgeon and see what their opinion is regarding WBR and Temodar.   Ask about compassionate use of ipilimumab, and possibly avastatin(off label).  I would also ask if the meninges can be removed surgically, now that there has been response to IL2.

                    I will keep you in my prayers.

                    Best

                    John

                      • August 19, 2010 at 2:30 pm
                      amybusby
                      Participant

                        Thanks John!  I did 3 rounds of biochem last fall.  Mixed response, terrible side effects (blood counts, etc).  I have my rad onc appt. today and we'll get started as soon as possible.  Fri or Mon I guess.  I should be able to start Temodar today.  I feel pretty comfortable with then plan.  We've looked at Avastin and it's on the backburner as a possibility if the Tem. doesn't seem effective.  I know MDA is doing an ipi / Temodar trial but I haven't looked into that yet.  I'll keep it in mind.  Luckily I responded very well to the intrathecial IL2 so hopefully the spinal fluid will stay clear and I won't see much progression.

                        I'll be keeping you all posted!

                        Love,

                        Amy

                        • August 20, 2010 at 11:30 am
                        jag
                        Participant

                          The reason I asked about Temodar, is because it is already in the biochemo cocktail, therefore you would have already responded.  

                          • August 22, 2010 at 12:14 am
                          amybusby
                          Participant

                            My biochem was a 5 part – 2 bios (interferon & IL2) and 3 chemo (decarbazine – very similar in structure to Temodar, vinblastin, and cisplastin).  Forgive any spelling issues, my brain is already swiss cheese! lol

                          • August 19, 2010 at 2:38 am
                          Kevin from Atlanta
                          Participant

                            Buying off of the internet each dose(pill) of Temodar cost about $150.  I took Temodar for two years with numerous other chemo's but eveyone says fatgue is the biggest side effect. I had wide brain raditation 30 days ago. The radiation itself is no big deal. I am currently experiencing confusion and memory loss. I was hoping that it would start going away by now. The Onc has me on Ritalin to help me focus and help keep me awake during the day. I no longer take Temodar since I am in compassionate use trial with Ipi.

                            Update, tonight I actually dusted off my treadmill and used it for the first time in years. A 1/4 of a mile, but it is a start.

                            Yesterday, I actually vaccumed the downstairs for the first time in a year. I am picking up a little energy as I get further away from the chemo treatments.

                              • August 19, 2010 at 2:24 pm
                              amybusby
                              Participant

                                I'm glad to hear from you Kevin!  Sounds like you are improving if vacuuming is even a consideration, lol!  I see the rad onc today and probably start tomorrow.  I'm already on Ritalin for fatigue so I may ask her about upping the dose if necessary.

                                Good news from my insurance co. – approved on the 120 mg. dose of Temodar so I'm looking at about $750 or a little less every cycle – 21 days on then one week off.   Not easy to swing but certainly more do-able than $5000!  I'll should start it tonight.  They said to take it before bed.

                                so here goes….

                                Take care of yourself Kevin and feel free to call me if you ever need an ear!

                                Love,

                                Amy

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