Cost of Rituxan

Can someone give me something to compare against? I was of the understanding that 4 injections of Rituxan ran about $15k. I had two (as is more normal with ITP) and they are wanting to charge me about $7400 for EACH injection. That would mean a series of 4 is more like $30k.

This was done at the chemo center attached to a hospital. Am I getting charged double what others are? I know according to a recent report I saw that some hospitals charge as much as 3x the amount others do so maybe I'm caught in that kind of nonsense but would really like to hear rough figures of what others have paid before I pay my part. Thanks.

When I had Rituxan the bill including the hospital/chemo infusion center and Dr. was over $50,000.00 boy was I shocked

I had 4 infusions in Washington state (sometimes where you live can effect the price)

Cindy Ann

I'm here in South Carolina and my bill for the total 4 injections was $51,000. Like Cindy Ann I to was shocked but I can tell you once insurance got a hold of those bills they did not get $51,000, they probably got half that amount.

Thanks. I'll call Aetna and see if they really are satisfied with paying that amount as it seems crazy to me. I have a co-worker who's wife has had many Rituxan treatments for her RA symptoms. She has it done at the Rheumatologist and it only comes to about $12k for 4 infusions. The hospitals are sticking it to us.

I had 8 rounds to be straight, which with the nurses, Rituxan, Benadryl, stomach meds. I have a break down of the bill, first hour is something $500, then each hour after that is a little less. Either way the bill came to about $300K, I don't have insurance and was lucky to get on the hospitals charity care program at the time.

The hospital that I get my Rituxan charges each "injection" about $18k, so it's about 72K for a total of 4 injections. Like many others have said, "ITP is not for the poor"

Rituxin for me was $8k per treatment x4. So roughly $30k+. Insurance must have covered it the first time as I did not hear of any refusal to cover it. Now the day before the 4th treatment of the second round, (approximatly 11/2 yrs later)I received a letter stating that BCBS was denying coverage for this round of Rituxin. Apparently the Rituxin did not meet their protocol for treatment of ITP!!

Dean, that doesn't make any sense for BCBS to deny charge for the 4th Rituxan treatment. Each time I get my treatments, I will call to confirm with them. They told me once it's approved, it will always be approved in the future and it's documented in my files...

Slammed wrote: Dean, that doesn't make any sense for BCBS to deny charge for the 4th Rituxan treatment. Each time I get my treatments, I will call to confirm with them. They told me once it's approved, it will always be approved in the future and it's documented in my files...

They were denying coverage for all four treatments of the second round. I did not call for approval. I did not call for approval for the first round so I figured there would be no issues. A second round of Rituxan apparently does not follow BCBS's protocol for treatment of ITP!!! I pay a PREMIUM for the insurance company to cover me when I need medical care. I cannot decide to not pay my premium if I do not feel it falls within my protocol!!

This is way I am so confused when it comes to insurance. Sometimes it is better now to have so you can get treatment. Just as long as you can get the rd company to cover the cost which for most people you can. For instant with rituxan you have to make less than (100k or something high like this).

Dean: Each time I need Rituxan, my dr's office would contact BCBS first and get it in writing before I can even set up an appointment...they want to be sure they get paid!


Amber: The drug company will not pay for Rituxan to treat ITP. My dr's office tried to fill out the assistance paperwork for me, and that's the answer I received.

Slammed this is the second time they have paid for it. The first time was last year with 8 round this year 4 rounds. I went to the website filled out the paper work online and got a call in 2 days. I had everything lined up before I talked to the doctor about trying it again. This is the maker of rituxan and all the information is there you just have to fill out the forms and don't just depend on you doctors to find what to get things covered.

www.gene.com/patients/patient-access

Slammed if you need any help with getting it covered let me know I've been down this road before. I also had the RX company of N-Plate and Promacta cover the cost as well. You do have to meet the income requirements. That is also on the websites.

Does everyone know some studies show that 1 treatment is as effective as 4 for ITP? And/or much lower doses can be used for ITP than for NHL or CLL?

tamar wrote: Does everyone know some studies show that 1 treatment is as effective as 4 for ITP? And/or much lower doses can be used for ITP than for NHL or CLL?

Definitely worth considering. I'd certainly try it. You've got nothing to lose.

My haematologist does 4 100mg doses. I never did do it but if I had it would have been that low dose option.

Ann wrote: My haematologist does 4 100mg doses. I never did do it but if I had it would have been that low dose option.

The first (and only) time I had rituxan my hema and I decided to do 2 200mg doses, thinking that would probably have the same effect as the 4 100mg doses that have been "researched". 6 months later my count climbed to 100K, so it may or may not have been due to the rituxan, but I would not mind taking the shot and possibly getting back to 100K. If I do, this calendar year it would be cheaper for me than next year, so I'm kicking the thought around.