INSURANCE ISSUES

Like any medical costs, policies vary at different locations as well as based upon the individual health insurance program in which you are involved. In general, most clinical trials follow standard care practices, meaning that if costs of standard treatment is covered by your insurance, then in most cases trial costs will be similarly covered. However, trials can carry additional costs and some policies cover part or all of the cost of care in a trial, some make decisions on a case-by-case basis, and some never or rarely cover clinical study costs.

In addition, some plans may specify that trials be sponsored by a specified organization, be judged “medically necessary” by the health plan, not be significantly more expensive than treatments the health plan considers standard, or focus on types of cancer for which no standard treatments are available.

Obviously, each case is unique; therefore, we urge you to contact your physician's insurance department with your specific questions.