HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - HERCEPTIN FOR STAGE ONE NODE NEGATIVE PATIENTS

08-02-2005, 07:53 AM

Hi-
My cancer is just like yours. My onc wanted to get the "go ahead" from a center before he gave it to me and he wanted me to pay nearly $6,000 per infusion because he said the insurance would not pay. I switched oncs and I go in for my 2nd Herceptin infusion next week.
New oncs reasoning: High risk, node negative patients with a tumor equal or greater than 1cm were allowed in the trials... therefore, why not on our own after the trials? AND as long as Herceptin is FDA approved (which it is); there is no reason for insurance to deny.
I also found that if I have to pay for it myself it is only about $500 per infusion at my new oncs office. He gets a "bulk rate".
I contemplated switching oncs in Jan when I was undergoing chemo. I should have followed my gut instinct... Had I done that, I would have had Herceptin then.
Follow your gut instinct and NEVER "fall in love" with your onc!

08-02-2005, 07:53 AM	#6
mts Guest Posts: n/a	Hi- My cancer is just like yours. My onc wanted to get the "go ahead" from a center before he gave it to me and he wanted me to pay nearly $6,000 per infusion because he said the insurance would not pay. I switched oncs and I go in for my 2nd Herceptin infusion next week. New oncs reasoning: High risk, node negative patients with a tumor equal or greater than 1cm were allowed in the trials... therefore, why not on our own after the trials? AND as long as Herceptin is FDA approved (which it is); there is no reason for insurance to deny. I also found that if I have to pay for it myself it is only about $500 per infusion at my new oncs office. He gets a "bulk rate". I contemplated switching oncs in Jan when I was undergoing chemo. I should have followed my gut instinct... Had I done that, I would have had Herceptin then. Follow your gut instinct and NEVER "fall in love" with your onc!