How to get money for an experimental Cemo therapy?

Question

I have a close family friend who is going through her 3rd battle with cancer and cemo is not working she is fighting with all her might and nothing seems to be working the doctor thinks that an experimental Cemo therapy might work but the price is outrageous and is like 100,000 a month how is someone going to be able to pay that insurance will not pay if any one has any ideas please, please let me know thanks

Answer 1

here is a site to check out they have trials and you don't have to pay for them

Answer 2

He should check to see if this is part of a Clinical Trial. Clincial Trial sponsorers (university, research institute, company) will pick up the cost of the drug and treatment costs associated with the drug. Insurance will pick up other costs.

The reason for the high cost of the experimental drug is that not much of it has been manufactured. There is only a very, very limited amount available - a company is not going to manufacture a drug that only a few people will use, so it is best to be on a Clinical Trial so that a benefit can be established.

I am somewhat surprised that his doctor would even offer an experimental chemo drug without going through a Clinical Trial. This is not how things are usually done, so I suspect that the drug being offered is further along than just experimental. Is it being offered off trial? If that is what is happening than maybe insurance will pick it up on a compassionate use type appeal. You can also call the company directly to see about their reduced cost programs. What type of cancer is this and what is the name of the drug? You can look much of what is legitimately offered as a Clinical Trial online at:

Clinical Trials.gov
http://clinicaltrials.gov/

Universities and research institutes also offer Clinical Trials. You might want to watch a video produced by Dana Farber about 'Entering a Clinical Trial- Is it right for you?" Which explains the process. (downloading it works well):

http://www.dana-farber.org/res/clinical/trials-info/default.html

Your close friend should be asking these types of questions to her doctor, nurse, and medical social worker. They should be able to come up with a solution.

FDA: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
http://www.fda.gov/cder/

FDA: Oncology Tools
http://www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/index.htm

FDA: Access to Unapproved Drugs
http://www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/access.htm

Answer 3

Trial studies for things of this nature are NOT free. Some med trials are free, like how they do the studies on smoker's lungs and that stuff.

Unfortunatly chemo and the rest of the necessities associated with that are very expensive whether or not they are a trial. That 100,000$ is actually not that bad.

Advice:
-Appeal your insurance's decision to not cover the trial
-Things like the American Cancer Society may be able to help. www.cancer.org
-Check with your hosp's financial dept, as well as a social worker either on your team of docs or in your hospital. They know lots of ins and outs of financial aid..
-Fund Raise.. Things like bake sales, yard sales, car washes, find a group of kids to sell candy, see if local businesses will take donations.
-Call your local news station (if she is willing). They are really good at mobilizing the community to help those in need

Answer 4

If chemo and other traditional methods are not working I highly recommend that you or your friend go to www.pubmed.gov and type in cancer and mangosteen, cancer and ganoderma lucidum, cancer and goji, cancer and spirulina...

There is a lot of science that can guide you to being healthy, naturally. I already did this research and if you would like to receive a copy of it let me know by sending me an e-mail at [e-mail]

Answer 5

Your friend may be put into a trial study which is free. They dont charge for experimental drugs.

Answer 6

when i was diagnosed with cancer i called the company that made the chemo drug i was going to receive and they donated it to my doctor at no charge. i work fulltime. the doctor does charge to administer the drug, but he was willing to make a payment plan and reduce his fees. just ask.

Answer 7

That sucks I would have thought if its experimental it would be free and she would be part of their study