About ARIMIDEXFinancial assistance for breast cancer patients
This list of resources does not constitute legal advice and is not intended to be a substitute for a consultation with your legal counsel or local third-party payer, including Medicare and Medicaid. The laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to coverage and reimbursement, as well as the interpretation of those laws, regulations, and policies, are subject to change.
Support for paying for your AstraZeneca medicine
When you're going through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, it can be difficult to pay attention to financial concerns that may arise for you and your family. Yet attending to these matters is vital to obtaining the care you need.
AstraZeneca has a range of patient prescription assistance programs that can help patients who do not have prescription drug coverage and who meet other eligibility requirements. Get information about AstraZeneca patient support programs
Whatever your insurance situation, here are some additional practical steps that may assist you in finding ways to help pay for treatment.
Review your health insurance benefits
It's important to make sure you have enough health insurance to cover your medical expenses.
- Read your policy carefully. To fully understand what's covered, obtain a copy of the "Master Policy" from either your employer or your insurance company
- Submit bills promptly. Check to see if there is a time limit for submitting claims. Get into the habit of submitting bills as soon as you receive them, even if you are not sure an expense is covered
- Set up a system for keeping track of your claims. Keep a copy of every bill. This is essential for obtaining reimbursement and pursuing appeals if coverage is denied
- Pay your premiums on time. Do not risk having your policy lapse because of a late or partial payment
Obtain health insurance after your breast cancer diagnosis
If you do not have health insurance coverage at the time you are diagnosed, you may still be able to obtain it by exploring one of these options.
- Group insurance. You may be able to purchase group insurance through a professional association, union, or fraternal organization, but enrollment restrictions may apply
- Open-enrollment periods. Some states require insurance companies to provide an annual open-enrollment period for people with pre-existing conditions
- Risk pools. Many states offer coverage to residents with serious medical conditions who cannot find an affordable insurance plan
Contact your state insurance department for details on any of these programs.
Maintain health insurance coverage
If you lose your health insurance after being diagnosed with breast cancer, state and federal laws may help you keep or renew your coverage.
- COBRA laws entitle you to continue health insurance coverage for up to 18 months if you leave or change jobs, or if you become separated or divorced from a covered employee. Coverage is extended if you become disabled immediately after leaving a job. You are responsible for paying the premiums to maintain coverage, which can be expensive
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guarantees that if you change jobs after you are diagnosed, and are offered health insurance by your new employer, you may qualify for a waiver of the plan's pre-existing condition exclusion, if you can show that you had continuous coverage at your previous job
Seek out possible financial assistance for cancer care
If you are worried about meeting your financial obligations, here are some steps you can take.
- Try to work out a payment plan with the facility where you are being treated
- Talk to your social worker, case manager, or discharge planner about obtaining financial assistance to cover the cost of cancer care and related services
- Explore services and possible financial aid provided by local chapters of cancer organizations. For example, the Breast Cancer Network of Strength offers free wigs and prostheses for women with limited resources
- Investigate possible financial assistance at community agencies and religious, fraternal, or civic groups, such as the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Service, and Rotary and Lion's Clubs
- Ask if you are eligible for government-sponsored programs for people with disabilities, people with low incomes, people who are uninsured, or people who are medically underserved
- Explore our list of additional breast cancer support resources
Important Information About ARIMIDEX
ARIMIDEX is approved for adjuvant treatment (treatment following surgery with or without radiation) of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.
ARIMIDEX is approved for the initial treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with tamoxifen. Patients with hormone receptor-negative disease and patients who did not previously respond to tamoxifen therapy rarely responded to ARIMIDEX.
Important Safety Information About ARIMIDEX
- Prescription ARIMIDEX is only for postmenopausal women. ARIMIDEX should not be taken if you are pregnant because it may harm your unborn child
- Based on information from a study in patients with early breast cancer, women with a history of blockages in heart arteries (ischemic heart disease) who take ARIMIDEX may have a slight increase in this type of heart disease compared to similar patients who take tamoxifen
- ARIMIDEX can cause bone softening/weakening (osteoporosis) increasing the chance of fractures. In a clinical study in early breast cancer, there were more fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) with ARIMIDEX (10%) than with tamoxifen (7%)
- In a clinical study in early breast cancer, some patients taking ARIMIDEX had an increase in cholesterol. Skin reactions, allergic reactions, and changes in blood tests of liver function have also been reported
- In the early breast cancer clinical trial, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms (including arthritis and arthralgia), weakness, mood changes, pain, back pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, rash, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, swelling of arms/legs, insomnia, and headache
- In advanced breast cancer trials, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX versus tamoxifen include hot flashes, nausea, decreased energy and weakness, pain, back pain, headache, bone pain, increased cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and swelling of arms and legs. Joint pain/stiffness has been reported in association with the use of ARIMIDEX
- ARIMIDEX should not be taken with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies
Please click here for full Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).