Please help,must stop herceptin

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apium
apium Member Posts: 70
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

My husband's work cancelled his insurance.  I must discontinue herceptin.  Any success stories not using herceptin.  I am stage IV.

Thank you. 

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited November 2007

    You might have better luck getting information at her2support.org.  There was a study done in Denmark or Finland I think that indicated that a shorter term of herceptin might be as effective as the longer one.

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited November 2007

    Apium,

    Can you contact Genentech? They are the producers of the Herceptin and I believe they have a program to help those in need of the drug to receive it. I wonder if your hospital nurses would be able to help you out with contacting them. Hold tight, where there's a will there's a way!

    HUgs,

    Lexi

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  • lisettemac
    lisettemac Member Posts: 213
    edited November 2007

    Loss of insurance should be a COBRA qualifying event.  Can you continue your coverage through COBRA?  You'll have to pay the full premium ...

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  • WendyV
    WendyV Member Posts: 596
    edited November 2007

    Apium,

    Don't discontinue your Herceptin!!  I'm stage IV too and I know that even if the herceptin stops working, I would still need some type of cancer med to keep things under control.  Contact everyone you know - Gentech, ACS, your local hosptial, medical assistance -- there has got to be something you can do to continue your treatments.  Wishing you all the best.

    Wendy

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  • mimi1030
    mimi1030 Member Posts: 700
    edited November 2007

    Hello,

    I am not an expert in insurance, and I am not sure where you live, but with Stage VI cancer you are eligible for SSI.  My mom receives it as she is Stage VI also.  With SSI you can get Medicare I think, my mom is looking into that also as she is unable to work.  There are many options at the local and state level to help you get some care.  Look on your states government website they should have some resources for you.  You must stay will your treatments, being Stage VI that is important.

    Hope this helps,

    Michelle

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  • apium
    apium Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2007

    I appreciate all of your suggestions.  I do not qualify for SSI or free herceptin because we have our retirement savings that we had planned to live on for the rest of our lives.  We were told we must use it up to qualify for any aid. 

    My husband is retired and doesn't qualify for Cobra.  His company has switched our inusurance to another company.  We recently found all this out as well as what the new plan looks like.  Herceptin is not included in the out of pocket expense and they only pay 50%.  At 50% our monthly cost is $10,000, of which $2300 is for the cost of the insurance. 

    Again, I appreciate all your suggestions. 

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  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited December 2007

    No....no....no.  Please don't stop Herceptin....

    Girls are right....go genentech.com and follow the links to co-pay assistance and at Stage IV you ARE eliglible for SSI.

    Please DON'T give up!

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  • mrs_X_Sunneedazee
    mrs_X_Sunneedazee Member Posts: 541
    edited December 2007

    I am stage 4 and I am not eligible for SSI because I haven't worked enough in my life.  (I am a 29 year old stay at home mom.  Luckily my husband has good insurance)

    Are you er/pr+?  There are hormonal treatments you can be on if you are.  Do contact genetech and see if you qualify for reduced cost or free treatment.  I hope you can find some help!  I wish I had more advice for you.

    Good luck! 

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  • snherrington
    snherrington Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2008

    I really don't know what retirement savings has to do with you being disabled.  I was stage 5 and was approved immediatley for  disability.  however everyone has a 6 month waiting period before you start receiving payment and then you would be eligible for medicare 2 years from your first payment date, but if you are approved they will back pay you and your time towards medicare will still apply.  Get letters from your doctors and apply... my oncologist has made it very clear to me that she is very sure that I would have already had a reoccurance by now had it not been for herceptin.

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  • Cynthiadi
    Cynthiadi Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2009

    Hello all

    I am grade 2 stage 2a completed my chemo treatments and now taking a year of herceptin does this qualify me for ssi just like the stage iv.  I have been very sick through all of the chemo treatments and fatigue and pain in muscles now since i am on herceptin but, I was curious and I live int he state of tn.  my onc has stated and wrote a letter saying he does not want me to work due to side effects that i am having.

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  • ElaineM
    ElaineM Member Posts: 81
    edited November 2009

    Have you looked into getting some assitance from the drug company that makes Herceptin?

    Some drug companies have assistance programs for people whose insurance does not cover it or who cannot afford it. Go to www.herceptin.com to find out if that company offers assistance to patients.

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  • cmharris59
    cmharris59 Member Posts: 496
    edited November 2009

    I think part of the confusion in this post is the difference between SSDI and SSI. SSI is dependent on your assets. SSDI is dependent on your disability. Apply for SSDI through Social Security. They will send you forms for your doctors to fill out and mail back. If you are approved it may be retroactive for a few months. Once approved, you must be on SSDI for 24 mnths before you are eligible for Medicare.

    The amount that you are eligbile to draw is based on what your past income has been and how much has been paid into Social Security on your behalf.

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