Drug Costs

Listed below are several sources of help paying for cancer prescription drugs such as imatinib (Gleevec) and sunitinib (Sutent).

Patient Advocate Foundation
http://www.patientadvocate.org/help.php
1-800-532-5274

Co-Pay Relief Program
http://www.copays.org/
1-866-512-3861
Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief (CPR) Program provides direct co-pay assistance for pharmaceutical products to insured Americans who qualify financially and medically.  They do assist patients diagnosed with GIST who are taking Gleevec or Sutent.  They help sarcoma insured patients with co-pays so they don’t have to choose between food or medications.

Patient Services, Inc.
http://www.uneedpsi.org/
1-800-FON-PSI-1
They have a separate department for GIST patients.

Partnership For Prescription Assistance
http://www.PPARX.org
1-888-477-2669
4 PPA-NOW
Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) through The MAX Foundation
https://www.maxaid.org/Default.aspx?trgt=gipap

The Max Foundation (TMF) is a US-based non-profit cancer organization with international focus.  TMF is dedicated to helping patients with blood-related cancers and other rare cancers worldwide by facilitating access to treatment and providing care and support for those who have limited access to resources.

The Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) is a program of Novartis Pharma AG. The Max Foundation is a partner in the administration of GIPAP. As part of our Patient Services, patients who are screened, approved, and referred by TMF for a donation of Glivec through GIPAP may also benefit from access to the following TMF services: 
     locally-based, culturally competent care and support specialist 
     patient support groups 
     informational, emotional, and practical support 
     help navigating their health care system

Novartis Patient Assistance Program (for Gleevec)
1-866-884-5906

Novartis hotline for Medicare Part D recipients who need additional assistance
800-942-3424

Pfizer FirstResource (for Sutent)
1-877-744-5675, then choose option 1
Link here for First Resource information on the web.

RxAssist is a compilation of drug-cost assistance programs run by all pharmaceutical companies.
rxassist.org

NeedyMeds is a guide to drug-cost assistance programs.
needymeds.com

Travel and Lodging

Angel Flight America
877-621-7177
www.angelflightamerica.org

Network of 4,500 pilots who provide transportation in corporate jets, space-available basis, to cancer patients going to recognized cancer treatment centers listed with the American College of Surgeons and/or the National Institutes of Health. Patients must be able to walk up and down the steps to a private plane without assistance. Patients must not require oxygen, IV, or any other form of life support during the flight.

Corporate Angel Network, Inc.
866-328-1313
www.corpangelnetwork.org

CAN finds free air transportation (on corporate planes) for cancer patients who need medical treatment. Patients must be ambulatory.

National Patient Travel Center
http://www.patienttravel.org:80/

This airline-sponsored program collects donated frequent flyer miles for patients to use to travel for medical care.

National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses
800-542-9730
www.nahhh.org

Provides accommodations for families and patients receiving medical treatment away from home. Rates typically range from $5-$15 per day (sometimes free).

Joe's House
877-563-7468
http://www.joeshouse.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx 
The mission of Joe's House is to be a housing resource for cancer patients and their families who must travel away from home for medical treatment. Our site lists hundreds of cancer treatment centers and nearby lodging facilities.