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Colorectal Cancer Patient Support: Financial Issues

A diagnosis of colorectal cancer may represent a tremendous financial burden for you as well as for your family, even if you are well-insured. If you are uninsured or underinsured, the burden can be even more significant. To help reduce the financial consequences of your disease, one of your top priorities may be to make sure that your health insurance coverage is adequate and that you will be reimbursed for all covered services. To learn how to maximize the benefits available under your health insurance plan, please visit the health insurance section of this site.

The financial strain of colorectal cancer may not end with your hospital and doctor's bills. The medical treatments you undergo can often result in other expenses not covered by insurance, including transportation, extra home-care costs, or child-care fees. Lost wages may compound the situation. If bills start piling up, you may want to take action before things get completely out of hand:

  • Speak to a financial counselor in the business office of the hospital where you receive treatment. If you need assistance meeting medical expenses, he or she may be able to develop an affordable monthly payment plan for you.
  • Talk directly to your creditors before you are unable to pay mortgage/rent and utility bills. If you are up-front about your financial situation and take the initiative to call your creditors before you fall behind with your payments, they may work with you to develop a payment plan.
  • Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs that provide either free or low-cost medications. Each company has different eligibility and application requirements.

Speak to your healthcare team to find out what resources are available or contact your pharmaceutical company directly for more information.

PACT+ ®

sanofi-aventis provides patients with support and assistance through the PACT+ ® Program. This program provides information about reimbursement, help for uninsured and under-insured patients, as well as help with other financial issues such as co-payment, patient services, and transportation.

To find out more, call 1-800-996-6626.

Note: The PACT+ Program is intended for use by patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in the United States only.

Learn about insurance issues and colorectal cancer.

Important Safety Information

Anaphylactic-like reactions to ELOXATIN have been reported and may occur within minutes of ELOXATIN administration. Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines have been employed to alleviate symptoms.

  • Do not take ELOXATIN if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in ELOXATIN or other medicines that contain platinum. Tell your doctor right away if you feel like your throat is closing up, have shortness of breath, a flushed face, a rash, itching/hives, swelling of lips or tongue, sudden cough, dizziness, sweating or chest pain.
  • ELOXATIN can cause nerve problems. Tell your doctor right away if you become sensitive to cold temperatures and cold objects; have trouble breathing, swallowing or saying words; experience jaw tightness, odd feelings in your tongue, or chest pressure; pain; tingling or burning in your hands, feet or around your mouth or throat.
  • Tell your doctor if you develop a dry cough or have trouble breathing; these may be signs of serious lung disease.
  • ELOXATIN can cause liver problems (hepatotoxicity); your doctor will do blood tests to watch for this.
  • Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive ELOXATIN. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant while receiving ELOXATIN.
  • ELOXATIN can cause a decrease in white blood cells, which can lead to infections. Tell your doctor right away if develop any of the following signs of infection: fever, chills, or shivering; cough that brings up mucus, burning or pain on urination, pain on swallowing; sore throat; or redness or swelling at injection site.
  • Other common side effects of ELOXATIN include a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of ELOXATIN. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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