Financial and Insurance Planning
The manufacturing of CAR T cells and the related aspects of care are expensive. Be sure that you understand what is covered by your health plan and what your responsibilities may be. Each insurance policy is different, so contact your insurance company for specifics about your policy. Get answers to these key questions from your health insurance plan:
Learn more about insurance at www.dana-farber.org/insurance.
Our financial counselors can help if you have questions about coverage or your financial arrangements. Call 617-632-5877 or email [email protected].
International patients should call 617-732-5777, option 1 to discuss financial arrangements.
Because you will receive care at both Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s, you will receive bills from both hospitals. If you have questions about a bill you receive, start by calling the phone number on the bill.
Other costs related to CAR T-cell therapy may include:
Changes to Health Insurance
Speak with your financial counselor before making changes to your health insurance or PCP. Making changes to your health insurance coverage during the CAR T-cell therapy process may cause delays. Failure to inform Dana-Farber of these changes may lead you to be financially responsible for the entire CAR T-cell therapy.
If you change health insurance, lose insurance coverage, or add insurance coverage at any time, call a Dana-Farber financial counselor at 617-582-9820, option 1.
Ask About Financial Support
Pharmaceutical companies that manufacture CAR T-cell therapies may offer financial support to patients for travel, short-term housing, and co-pays. Ask your CAR T nurse navigator or clinical social worker for information.
Next: Identifying a Caregiver
- What type of insurance plan (HMO, POS, PPO) do I have? What does this mean in terms of where I receive my care and my out-of-pocket expenses?
- Are Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in your network? If so, does your insurance plan cover physician costs as well as inpatient and out patient hospital services? What are my out-of-pocket expenses, including co-payments?
If Dana-Farber and/or Brigham and Women’s are not in my network, what percentage of the bill can I expect to be responsible for?
What is your in-network and out-of-network coverage for care at Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital? What is your related financial responsibility? - Do you need referrals or other approvals from your primary care physician (PCP) or health insurance plan before you can receive CAR T-cell therapy and related treatments?
- What does your pharmacy insurance cover? (This can help you learn your financial responsibility for prescription medications.)
- Does your policy have an out-of-pocket maximum? If so, how does this work?
- Will I be covered for any testing, pathology, or radiology charges that may be incurred as part of my assessment with a Dana-Farber doctor?
- Does my insurance plan offer any additional coverage (e.g., traveling and lodging benefits) through special networks or programs.
Learn more about insurance at www.dana-farber.org/insurance.
Our financial counselors can help if you have questions about coverage or your financial arrangements. Call 617-632-5877 or email [email protected].
International patients should call 617-732-5777, option 1 to discuss financial arrangements.
Because you will receive care at both Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s, you will receive bills from both hospitals. If you have questions about a bill you receive, start by calling the phone number on the bill.
Other costs related to CAR T-cell therapy may include:
- Costs for short-term accommodations, meals, and travel after discharge
- Supportive care and medications after treatment (e.g., transfusions, IV fluids, nursing care)
Changes to Health Insurance
Speak with your financial counselor before making changes to your health insurance or PCP. Making changes to your health insurance coverage during the CAR T-cell therapy process may cause delays. Failure to inform Dana-Farber of these changes may lead you to be financially responsible for the entire CAR T-cell therapy.
If you change health insurance, lose insurance coverage, or add insurance coverage at any time, call a Dana-Farber financial counselor at 617-582-9820, option 1.
Ask About Financial Support
Pharmaceutical companies that manufacture CAR T-cell therapies may offer financial support to patients for travel, short-term housing, and co-pays. Ask your CAR T nurse navigator or clinical social worker for information.
Next: Identifying a Caregiver