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Starting ipi/nivo combo on Monday, have had ipi before
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Starting ipi/nivo combo on Monday, have had ipi before

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Starting ipi/nivo combo on Monday, have had ipi before

  • Post
    • August 21, 2015 at 8:51 am
    Bennickliz
    Participant

      I received insurance approval yesterday for the ipi/nivo combo, even though I've had prior ipi.  I really had no side effects with the ipi before, but I know this time things may be different. I wanted to let folks know options are out there.

       

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 21, 2015 at 11:14 am
        rosa1
        Participant

          How did you get insurance approval for this combo when it's not FDA approved yet? I thought you could get it only thru a trial? Please let us know.

            • August 21, 2015 at 12:35 pm
            Bennickliz
            Participant

              I was initially denied the nivo (which my doc said seems to be standard operating procedure for the insurance companies) and he did a peer to peer review with them.  What was said I don't know.  I'm just glad I have a doctor who fights for me and the decisions we have made together.

              • August 21, 2015 at 12:35 pm
              Bennickliz
              Participant

                I was initially denied the nivo (which my doc said seems to be standard operating procedure for the insurance companies) and he did a peer to peer review with them.  What was said I don't know.  I'm just glad I have a doctor who fights for me and the decisions we have made together.

                • August 21, 2015 at 12:35 pm
                Bennickliz
                Participant

                  I was initially denied the nivo (which my doc said seems to be standard operating procedure for the insurance companies) and he did a peer to peer review with them.  What was said I don't know.  I'm just glad I have a doctor who fights for me and the decisions we have made together.

                  • August 22, 2015 at 3:28 pm
                  LaurenE
                  Participant

                    The combination is available through expanded access until it's officially FDA-approved (meaning the FDA is allowing people to get the treatment out of compassion since it's effective and their approval process takes forever!). My dad just started and required insurance approval for the ipi, but since the 'combination' is on trial, the nivolumab is being provided at no-cost to him by the study and will be for the duration of the treatment.

                    • August 22, 2015 at 3:28 pm
                    LaurenE
                    Participant

                      The combination is available through expanded access until it's officially FDA-approved (meaning the FDA is allowing people to get the treatment out of compassion since it's effective and their approval process takes forever!). My dad just started and required insurance approval for the ipi, but since the 'combination' is on trial, the nivolumab is being provided at no-cost to him by the study and will be for the duration of the treatment.

                      • August 22, 2015 at 3:28 pm
                      LaurenE
                      Participant

                        The combination is available through expanded access until it's officially FDA-approved (meaning the FDA is allowing people to get the treatment out of compassion since it's effective and their approval process takes forever!). My dad just started and required insurance approval for the ipi, but since the 'combination' is on trial, the nivolumab is being provided at no-cost to him by the study and will be for the duration of the treatment.

                      • August 21, 2015 at 11:14 am
                      rosa1
                      Participant

                        How did you get insurance approval for this combo when it's not FDA approved yet? I thought you could get it only thru a trial? Please let us know.

                        • August 21, 2015 at 11:14 am
                        rosa1
                        Participant

                          How did you get insurance approval for this combo when it's not FDA approved yet? I thought you could get it only thru a trial? Please let us know.

                          • August 24, 2015 at 7:42 pm
                          arthurjedi007
                          Participant

                            When you had ipi before were you a responder? I was a non responder but wondered if trying this as a combo would be worth it.

                            Artie

                              • August 24, 2015 at 8:37 pm
                              Bennickliz
                              Participant

                                I would say I was a non responder at the time.  My tumors would grow a few mm at each scan, with nothing new popping up.  The last 2 months I have 2 new tumors growing rapidly.  Did I benefit from the ipi or was I a slow grower?  I'm thinking now I probably did get some benefit.  It's hard to say.

                                • August 24, 2015 at 8:37 pm
                                Bennickliz
                                Participant

                                  I would say I was a non responder at the time.  My tumors would grow a few mm at each scan, with nothing new popping up.  The last 2 months I have 2 new tumors growing rapidly.  Did I benefit from the ipi or was I a slow grower?  I'm thinking now I probably did get some benefit.  It's hard to say.

                                  • August 24, 2015 at 8:37 pm
                                  Bennickliz
                                  Participant

                                    I would say I was a non responder at the time.  My tumors would grow a few mm at each scan, with nothing new popping up.  The last 2 months I have 2 new tumors growing rapidly.  Did I benefit from the ipi or was I a slow grower?  I'm thinking now I probably did get some benefit.  It's hard to say.

                                  • August 24, 2015 at 7:42 pm
                                  arthurjedi007
                                  Participant

                                    When you had ipi before were you a responder? I was a non responder but wondered if trying this as a combo would be worth it.

                                    Artie

                                    • August 24, 2015 at 7:42 pm
                                    arthurjedi007
                                    Participant

                                      When you had ipi before were you a responder? I was a non responder but wondered if trying this as a combo would be worth it.

                                      Artie

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