For those on Tykerb

brittd01 · 08-31-2006, 08:08 AM

Hi all,

My Mom's cancer clinic is going through all the paperwork for the EAP for Tykerb. They told my Mom that the drug was free but they require a heart scan which is not covered by most insurances. Have any of you had to have a heart scan for the Tykerb EAP?

Thank you,
Brittany

Lolly · 08-31-2006, 08:48 AM

Hi Brittany,

Great news that your mom will be receiving Tykerb soon. From my understanding, Tykerb can affect the heart function, so the heart needs to be monitored before and during use. From your earlier posts I see your mom's been on Herceptin since diagnosed as Stage IV, and Standard of Care for those on Herceptin is regular Echo's or MUGA's to monitor the heart...I have a MUGA every six months and most if not all the women on this site get one or the other. I would guess that the scan they're requireing is a MUGA, which is more expensive but also more accurate than Echo. Last time I went for mine, I had to sign a paper saying I'd have to pay for it if my insurance wouldn't cover it, even though it's always been covered as a "Medically Necessary" test given Herceptin use. As far as I know, they coverd it this time also, but the hospital was just covering all the bases in case there was a problem. My point being that your mom's onc could order the test based on her past Herceptin use, and it should be covered by her insurance. If not, I was told that it would cost appx. $1,000, but I was prepared to appeal it if it didn't go through.
Please keep us posted, as she should be able to have her heart scanned without having to pay out of pocket.

<3 Lolly

Joe · 08-31-2006, 09:21 AM

The heart scan could be either a MUGA or Echocardiagram. Both of these tests are usually covered by insurance.

Regards
Joe

Sandy H · 08-31-2006, 06:02 PM

I have been having muga's every 3 months and just had one in July and a repeat last Monday as all the tests, blood work, cat scan, and bone scan has to all be done within 2 weeks. Not even one day over the 14 days!! I understand they will all be repeated again in 6 weeks and 6 weeks after that if we stay on it that long. Wishing your mom well. hugs, Sandy