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Sheila · 07-31-2011, 04:10 AM

Way back a few years I did a cost of Herceptin thread as it seemed mine was the highest price in Chicago. Lots of members emailed be their dose, whether it was weekly or every 3 weeks and the charge for the drug alone. Armed with that, and after going to another hospital 1x to get Herceptin, I contacted the hospital, and Genetech to get and explanation for the high charges. When they refused to do anything, I filed a case with the Illinois attorney general......the hospital agreed to drop the price and back track 2 years and credit insurance and individuals. Come to think of it, the price has been slowly creeping back up....I just looked and my every 3 week dose of 460mg was 18900.00......might be time to contact someone again. I have PPO insurance, and they pay half, which is accepted by the hospital. I pay nothing....but many DO have to pay out of pocket...it is amazing what the different areas charge for the same drugs.

07-31-2011, 04:10 AM	#10
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	Re: cost of herceptin Way back a few years I did a cost of Herceptin thread as it seemed mine was the highest price in Chicago. Lots of members emailed be their dose, whether it was weekly or every 3 weeks and the charge for the drug alone. Armed with that, and after going to another hospital 1x to get Herceptin, I contacted the hospital, and Genetech to get and explanation for the high charges. When they refused to do anything, I filed a case with the Illinois attorney general......the hospital agreed to drop the price and back track 2 years and credit insurance and individuals. Come to think of it, the price has been slowly creeping back up....I just looked and my every 3 week dose of 460mg was 18900.00......might be time to contact someone again. I have PPO insurance, and they pay half, which is accepted by the hospital. I pay nothing....but many DO have to pay out of pocket...it is amazing what the different areas charge for the same drugs. __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin