FCoffey4 years ago

"Lu-PSMA will be provided free of charge in this study to you." I have no idea what Lu-PSMA costs, but I doubt it is cheap. Since the rest is SOC, insurance should cover it for most people.

Fairwind in reply to FCoffey4 years ago

That's my problem..My Medicare Advantage HMO type plan does not cover "out of network" providers. I'm trying to get them to make an exception or to let me use a third party provider for the SOC part...

Reply (0)Report

Tall_Allen in reply to Fairwind4 years ago

They don't make an exception for clinical trials?

Reply (0)Report

Fairwind in reply to Tall_Allen4 years ago

I'm working on that possibility.. So far, responses have been positive.. I offered to pay out of pocket but Medicare rules don't allow that..Or I could drop Medicare Advantage and go back to regular Medicare, which they accept..Go Figure...Can't change plans until November...

Reply (0)Report

Kevinski65 in reply to FCoffey4 years ago

What about , 'Ordinary Medicare' , thith a supplement does it pay?

Reply (0)Report

tango654 years ago

It is allowed in a clinical trial to charge the SOC cost of treating a patient. They could charge for all the SOC blood tests, SOC medicines such as abiraterone or enzalutamide , lupron etc and for other SOC test such as xrays, ct scans etc. etc. The "trial" and the doctors running the trial do not charge anything. It is the hospital that will charge for all the SOC tests and the SOC medicines that they provide.

I had this problem when I was in a clinical trial for a vaccine in 2007. I complained and they made a courtesy for what Medicare did not pay. Trials conducted at NIH do not charge anything and provide some travel and lodging expenses (you pay them with your taxes).

Magnus19644 years ago

That is confusing. First, they are allowing participants to take other standard treatments while in the study? It does not make clear what is part of study and what is "best medical care". If the study requires CT and bone scans, is that to be considered standard care or study procedures. No insurance company is going to pay for monthly procedures.

CJ4J4 years ago

In this study, only the Lu-PSMA is free. Hotel is provided and reimbursement for mileage. We are billed for all labs, office visits, ct scans and bone scans.

Have you discussed the Medicare advantage limitations with the trial provider? They may have ways to help you? Our trial provider in Omaha (Dr. Nordquist) is very accommodating.

Break604 years ago

It sounds like normal practice to me. Basically you wouldn’t pay anything for the treatments under traditional Medicare. Other types of insurance are another matter, each policy having its own requirements.

As to whether your Travel and living expenses are paid it depends on the type of clinical trial and is spelled out by the trial administrator/funder. See new quidelines:

centerwatch.com/cwweekly/20...

Stegosaurus374 years ago

The rationale is that the Standards of Care is what you'd be getting anyway if you weren't in the trial, so it's really "not part of the trial" (except that it is).

Since my prostate cancer is Agent Orange-presumptive, the VA is providing that part of the VISION treatment. I've been going to the VA for my treatment anyway and there is a close relationship between OHSU and the Portland VA, so that has been relatively smooth.

Charles4212 in reply to Stegosaurus374 years ago

I am also a VN vet with advanced PC, Can you tell me more about what the VA is paying on this Vision. Are you getting the Lu-177? Thanks. I am a 100% Disabled vet so my VA in Togus Maine pays for everything I am getting, I just failed with Xtiga and started Xtandi yesterday,

Reply (0)Report

Stegosaurus37 in reply to Charles42124 years ago

The Lu-177 (which I am getting) is paid for by the study. I also get "Best Standards of Care" (ha!) which is Zytiga. The study doesn't pay for that - "you'd be getting that anyway", but the VA does. I also get 100% disability payment.

Reply (0)Report

Charles4212 in reply to Stegosaurus374 years ago

Thanks

Reply (0)Report

ronnie1943 in reply to Charles42124 years ago

Hi Charles.. My name is Lynn, my husband will be going for the Lu-177 trial soon, we live in. The states.

Did you have any sides effects from the infusions.. How are you doing and how many infusions did you have? Did you any reaction to the PSMA scan? Any information you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Hope you are doing well?

Lynn Pa.

Reply (0)Report