Tykerb: I'm getting closer

[michele u]

I just heard today my onc wrote a letter of necessity to my insurance comp. for tykerb. They are going to pay 80% of it. That sounds like alot, but i have to come up with 936$ a month myself. The drug is about 3600$ they said. I am in the process of calling some patient assistance programs that might pay my copay on it. If interested her is their names: HealthWellfoundation.org phone is 800-675-8416 patientaccessnetwork.org phone 866-316-7261 and patientadvocatefoundation.org phone 866-5123861

[Lolly]

Thanks Michele! I have a chemo buddy who will be very glad for the patient assistance numbers.

<3 Lolly

[Margerie]

Michelle,

How long are you planning to take Tykerb? Will you be taking it with herceptin or alone? Are you going to be doing echos?

Dang, I wish it wasn't so expensive. I was hoping it would be cheaper than herceptin since it is an oral drug.

[Sandy H]

Good for you Michelle! You are a fighter and you will get it. Are you IBC? I see where you are stage 111b. I was told in Seattle, all stage 111b ers are IBC is this true? hugs, Sandy

[Rupali]

Michele,

DO u have a HMO or a PPO plan?

Regards,
Rupali

[michele u]

All,

no i'm not IBC. I don't know why they say all stage 3b is inflammatory. I've heard that too. I was staged like that due to all my nodes. I have a ppo. I'm probably going to take it 3 months. Mainly the cost and that the Herceptin trials showed the same results after 12 weeks.

[Odette]

Dear Michele,

thanks so much for posting the patient advocate info.
I'm worried that my Anthem PPO will not pay for Tykerb at all.
Their policy is to pay for a new drug only 6 months after it got approved. I just turned in my paperwork for it, my onc faxed it to Tykerb and am now waiting for the response.

Please keep us posted!

Love and prayers,

Odette

[rinaina]

just wanted to wish you good luck with everything and hope all works out well with financial assistance. it is such a shame that we have to be dealing with this on top of our cancer but it is so common unfortunately.

[Jean]

Dear Michele,

Just want to let you know I am wishing you the very best with you new treatment....will keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted on your
progress.

Hugs,
jean