No matter what type of health insurance you have, and even if you have none at all, there may be some potential options available to help you afford your medicine.
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Use our financial assistance tool to see which programs may be right for you. If you would rather talk through some potential options, call us at 888-249-4918 (6AM-5PM PST, Monday through Friday).
If you have insurance coverage and need help affording Herceptin, these programs may help:
Genentech Oncology Co-pay Assistance Program
With the Genentech Oncology Co-pay Assistance Program, eligible patients with commercial insurance could pay as little as $0 per treatment for Herceptin. Co-pay assistance of up to $25,000 is provided per calendar year.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are taking Herceptin for an FDA-approved use
- Are 18 years of age or older or have a Legally Authorized Person over the age of 18 to manage the program
- Have commercial (private or non-governmental) insurance. This includes plans available through state and federal health insurance exchanges
- Live and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. Territories
- Are not receiving assistance through the Genentech Patient Foundation or any other charitable organization for the same expenses covered by the program
- Do not use a state or federal healthcare plan to pay for your medication. This includes, but is not limited to, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE
The Co-pay Program (“Program”) is valid ONLY for patients with commercial (private or non-governmental) insurance who have a valid prescription for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indication of a Genentech medicine. Patients using Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal or state government program (collectively, “Government Programs”) to pay for their Genentech medicine are not eligible.
Under the Program, the patient may be required to pay a co-pay. The final amount owed by a patient may be as little as $0 for the Genentech medicine (see Program specific details available at the Program website). The total patient out-of-pocket cost is dependent on the patient’s health insurance plan. The Program assists with the cost of the Genentech medicine only. It does not assist with the cost of other medicines, procedures or office visit fees. After reaching the maximum annual Program benefit amount, the patient will be responsible for all remaining out-of-pocket expenses. The Program benefit amount cannot exceed the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the Genentech medicine.
All participants are responsible for reporting the receipt of all Program benefits as required by any insurer or by law. The Program is only valid in the United States and U.S. Territories, is void where prohibited by law and shall follow state restrictions in relation to AB-rated generic equivalents (e.g., MA, CA) where applicable. No party may seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received through the Program. The value of the Program is intended exclusively for the benefit of the patient. The funds made available through the Program may only be used to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for the patient enrolled in the Program. The Program is not intended for the benefit of third parties, including without limitation third party payers, pharmacy benefit managers, or their agents. If Genentech determines that a third party has implemented a program that adjusts patient cost-sharing obligations based on the availability of support under the Program and/or excludes the assistance provided under the Program from counting towards the patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket cost limitations, Genentech may impose a per fill cap on the cost-sharing assistance available under the Program. Submission of true and accurate information is a requirement for eligibility and Genentech reserves the right to disqualify patients who do not comply from Genentech programs. Genentech reserves the right to rescind, revoke or amend the Program without notice at any time.
Additional terms and conditions apply. Please visit the Co-pay Program website for the full list of Terms and Conditions.
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Commercial insurance: An insurance plan you get from a private health insurance company. This can be insurance from your job, from a plan you bought yourself or from a Health Insurance Marketplace. Medicare and Medicaid are not considered commercial insurance.
Independent Co-pay Assistance Foundations
An independent co-pay assistance foundation is a charitable organization providing financial assistance to patients with specific disease states, regardless of treatment. Patients who are commercially or publicly insured, including those covered by Medicare and Medicaid, can contact the foundations directly to request assistance. Eligibility requirements, all aspects of the application process, turnaround times and the type or amount of assistance available (if any) can vary by foundation.
These foundations may be able to help. Please check their websites for up-to-date information.
These organizations are independent of Genentech and may require you to provide personal or financial information directly to the organization to enroll in their respective programs. Genentech cannot share any information you have provided to us.
Independent co-pay assistance foundations have their own rules for eligibility. We have no involvement or influence in independent foundation decision-making or eligibility criteria and do not know if a foundation will be able to help you. We can only refer you to a foundation that supports your disease state. This information is provided as a resource for you. We do not endorse or show preference for any particular foundation. The foundations in this list may not be the only ones that might be able to help you.
If you have financial difficulty or do not have insurance coverage and need help affording Herceptin, this program may help:
Genentech Patient Foundation
The Genentech Patient Foundation gives free Herceptin to people who have been prescribed this medicine and don’t have insurance or that have financial concerns and meet certain eligibility criteria.
You may be eligible if your insurance coverage and income match one of these situations:
- Uninsured patients with incomes under $150,000
- Insured patients without coverage for Herceptin with incomes under $150,000
- Insured patients with coverage for a Genentech medicine:
- With an out-of-pocket maximum set by their health insurance plan that exceeds 7.5% of their household income
- Who have pursued other forms of financial assistance
- With household size and income within certain guidelines
Enrollment Process for the Genentech Patient Foundation
If you meet the criteria and would like to enroll:
- Complete the Patient Consent Form, which is available in English and Spanish, below:
- Once you have completed the Patient Consent Form, please let your doctor's office know that you are applying for assistance with the Genentech Patient Foundation. Your doctor will have to complete another form called the Prescriber Foundation Form. Both forms are required. We must have both the Patient Consent Form and the Prescriber Foundation Form before we can help you.
What to expect next:
- The request will be processed within five business days upon receipt of both required forms.
- You and your provider will be contacted to discuss the application outcome and any next steps.
If you have any questions about the criteria, please contact a Foundation Specialist at 888-941-3331 (Mon.–Fri., 6AM–5PM PST).
Genentech reserves the right to modify or discontinue the program at any time and to verify the accuracy of information submitted.
Not sure which programs may be able to help you? We'll walk you through some potential options with the financial assistance tool.
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Commercial insurance: An insurance plan you get from a private health insurance company. This can be insurance from your job, from a plan you bought yourself or from a Health Insurance Marketplace. Medicare and Medicaid are not considered commercial insurance.
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Public insurance: A health insurance plan you get from the federal or state government. This includes Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and DoD/VA insurance.
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For example, a household size of 1 with income of less than $75,000 may meet the criteria for assistance. Add $25,000 for each additional person in the household. There is no maximum number of people you may add.
Terms and Conditions
The Co-pay Program (“Program”) is valid ONLY for patients with commercial (private or non-governmental) insurance who have a valid prescription for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indication of a Genentech medicine. Patients using Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), TRICARE or any other federal or state government program (collectively, “Government Programs”) to pay for their Genentech medicine are not eligible. The Program is not valid for Genentech medicines that are eligible to be reimbursed in their entirety by private insurance plans or other programs.
Under the Program, the patient may be required to pay a co-pay. The final amount owed by a patient may be as little as $0 for the Genentech medicine (see Program specific details available at the Program Website). The total patient out-of-pocket cost is dependent on the patient’s health insurance plan. The Program assists with the cost of the Genentech medicine only. It does not assist with the cost of other medicines, procedures or office visit fees. After reaching the maximum annual Program benefit amount, the patient will be responsible for all remaining out-of-pocket expenses. The Program benefit amount cannot exceed the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the Genentech medicine. The maximum Program benefit will reset every January 1st. The Program is not health insurance or a benefit plan. The patient’s non-governmental insurance is the primary payer. The Program does not obligate the use of any specific medicine or provider. Patients receiving assistance from charitable free medicine programs (such as the Genentech Patient Foundation) or any other charitable organizations for the same expenses covered by the Program are not eligible. The Program benefit cannot be combined with any other rebate, free trial or other offer for the Genentech medicine. No party may seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received through the Program.
The Program may be accepted by participating pharmacies, physicians’ offices or hospitals. Once a patient is enrolled, the Program will honor claims with a date of service that precedes the Program enrollment date up to 180 days. Claims must be submitted within 365 days from the date of service unless otherwise indicated. Use of the Program must be consistent with all relevant health insurance requirements. Participating patients, pharmacies, physicians’ offices and hospitals are responsible for reporting the receipt of all Program benefits as required by any insurer or by law. Programs’ benefits may not be sold, purchased, traded or offered for sale.
The patient or their guardian must be 18 years of age or older to receive Program assistance. The Program is only valid in the United States and U.S. Territories, is void where prohibited by law and shall follow state restrictions in relation to AB-rated generic equivalents (e.g., MA, CA) where applicable. Eligible patients will be automatically re-enrolled in the Program on an annual basis. Eligible patients will be removed from the Program after 3 years of inactivity (e.g., no claims submitted in a 3-year timeframe). Program eligibility and automatic re enrollment are contingent upon the patient’s ability to meet all requirements set forth by the Program. Healthcare providers may not advertise or otherwise use the Program as a means of promoting their services or Genentech medicines to patients.
The value of the Program is intended exclusively for the benefit of the patient. The funds made available through the Program may only be used to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for the patient enrolled in the Program. The Program is not intended for the benefit of third parties, including without limitation third party payers, pharmacy benefit managers, or their agents. If Genentech determines that a third party has implemented a program that adjusts patient cost-sharing obligations based on the availability of support under the Program and/or excludes the assistance provided under the Program from counting towards the patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket cost limitations, Genentech may impose a per fill cap on the cost-sharing assistance available under the Program. Submission of true and accurate information is a requirement for eligibility and Genentech reserves the right to disqualify patients who do not comply from Genentech programs. Genentech reserves the right to rescind, revoke or amend the Program without notice at any time.
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Herceptin Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. February 2021.
Herceptin Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. February 2021.
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FDA Approval Letter. Herceptin. September 25, 1998. At: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/1998/trasgen092598L.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2019.
FDA Approval Letter. Herceptin. September 25, 1998. At: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/1998/trasgen092598L.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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Romond EH, Perez EA, Bryant J, et al; from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). Trastuzumab plus adjuvant chemotherapy for operable HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1673-1684. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052122. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Romond EH, Perez EA, Bryant J, et al; from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). Trastuzumab plus adjuvant chemotherapy for operable HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1673-1684. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052122. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with node-positive breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. NCT00004067 updated January 15, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00004067. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with node-positive breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. NCT00004067 updated January 15, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00004067. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with HER2-positive node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer. NCT00005970 updated June 4, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00005970. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with HER2-positive node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer. NCT00005970 updated June 4, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00005970. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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Piccart-Gebhart MJ, Procter M, Leyland-Jones B, et al; for the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) Trial Study Team. Trastuzumab after adjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1659-1672. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052306. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Piccart-Gebhart MJ, Procter M, Leyland-Jones B, et al; for the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) Trial Study Team. Trastuzumab after adjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1659-1672. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052306. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, et al; for the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG). Adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(14):1273-1283. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0910383. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, et al; for the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG). Adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(14):1273-1283. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0910383. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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ClinicalTrials.gov. Combination chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab in treating women with breast cancer. NCT00021255 updated November 15, 2016. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00021255. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Combination chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab in treating women with breast cancer. NCT00021255 updated November 15, 2016. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00021255. Accessed June 24, 2019.
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