Even if cancer is widely known to the general population, there are still types of cancer or certain cancer treatments that are still unheard of. Yet many people struggle to get the financial help for those cancer treatments every single day. This blog highlights one of these lesser discussed immunotherapies, Opdivo, and how to get financial help for Opdivo Therapy.
Table of Contents
What is Opdivo Therapy, and Who Needs It?
Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitor) that treats several advanced or metastatic cancers by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It is primarily used for high-risk cancers like melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and head and neck cancer.
It can be used as first-line therapy or after failures of other treatments or even as adjuvant therapy after surgery. The dosage requirements are somewhere between 2 to 4 weeks as an intravenous infusion, depending on the patient. Even if the drug shows meaningful improvements in results, it can cause side effects like fatigue, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and joint or muscle pain, and serious immune-mediated toxicities affecting organs like the lungs, gut, and liver, which require careful monitoring and management by oncology specialists.
How Much Does Opdivo Cost?
Opdivo therapy is expensive due to its association with cancer treatment, but with cancer, it’s never only the treatment. Cancer always comes with additional financial and mental burdens like doctor visits, hospital care, therapy sessions, medications, travels, etc.
The average price per infusion in the US ranges from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the dosage. If we include all healthcare and external expenses related to treatment, the cost can range from $100,000 to $200,000 annually.
Now, insurance does cover partially, but again can leave patients with a big chunk of the bill to pay out of the pocket.
Get the financial help you need for your cancer treatment. Explore online fundraising and find potential donors to support you through crowdfunding.
Financial Assistance for Opdivo Therapy: What are Your Options
All of the above said, there is still hope to get the treatment done by opting for the top Opdivo financial assistance that can help patients and their families during these desperate times.
1. Manufacturer Assistance: Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS Access Support)
Bristol Myers Squibb is an organization that adheres to its social impact strategy by providing innovative medicines and providing necessary support to both patients and caregivers. BMS can help you figure out how your insurance covers Opdivo and provide copay support or a saving program if you meet its eligibility criteria.
2. Co-Pay Assistance Foundations (if eligible):
Co-pay assistance foundations help insured patients with cancer or serious chronic illnesses pay for treatment-related out-of-pocket costs, like copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: CancerCare Foundation helps cancer patients with copays for chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and sometimes insurance premiums. However, they cover specific cancer types. So make sure to check with the organization to understand their regulations.
- PAN Foundation (Patient Access Network): PAN provides grants to help cover the healthcare payments, including copaying insurances or any out-of-pocket amounts.
- HealthWell Foundation: HealthWell is known for its support to people with chronic or life-altering conditions.
- Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief: PAF gives direct financial help for Opdivo therapy to insured patients, focusing on high-cost, life-changing medications.
3. Government & Public Insurance
Governments usually keep funding provisions for serious cases like terminal healthcare, natural disasters, wars, etc., and Opdivo therapy is one of them.
- Medicare Part B coverage (partial) for Outpatient: It covers Opdivo as it is an IV drug given in a clinic or hospital. Medicare pays about 80% of the approved cost after you meet the Part B deductible.
- Medicaid: While the coverage depends on the state and can require special approval, in many cases, patients’ costs can be very low.
- Veterans Administration (VA) Health Coverage: Opdivo is available on the VA National Formulary and often needs prior authorization at the local VA facility. The out-of-pocket costs are lower than those of other government programs.
4. Hospital-Based Charity Care
People who cannot afford opdivo cost, can search for hospital-based charity care that gives them room to get discounted medical support. They are usually part of nonprofit hospitals that cover terminal illnesses and other emergency services.
5. Crowdfunding for Opdivo Therapy on WhyDonate
Crowdfunding has become a popular choice for millions of people worldwide, where they can ask for financial help without giving anything in return. Donation crowdfunding has been proving itself to be one of the most convenient ways to get financial support for Opdivo Therapy, or for cancer patients in general, for a couple of years now.
As a trusted European fundraising platform, WhyDonate has been a witness to many cancer fundraising campaigns that have gotten the funding support they need for their treatments.
Benefits of Starting a Fundraiser at WhyDonate:
- No platform fees
- Globally available
- Multiple payment methods
- Quick payouts
- Recurring donation options
- Multi-language platform
- Campaign page customization
- Donation QR codes
- 7-day support
How to Start a WhyDonate Opdivo Therapy Campaign:
- Start a fundraiser by signing up
- Add your address and banking details
- Write your healthcare history, including your disease, treatment plan, and an overall cost breakdown.
- Set your funding goal and a deadline for urgency
- Once you publish your fundraiser, share it across all social media channels
- Regularly post your treatment updates as soon as you collect donations, and never forget to thank your donors.
Begin your free fundraiser right away and start getting funds for your Opdivo therapy within minutes.
Practical Steps for Applying for Financial Help
Before you start going for any kind of funding option, it is important to align your plans and goals to make the entire process hassle-free. Make sure to gather your medical and financial documents before you think of asking for funds.
Additionally, coordinate with your healthcare provider and social workers as you go on with the fundraising or any kind of financial help for Opdivo therapy. These people can guide you and show you the best way to maximize your efforts.
Remember that clarity and persistence can go a long way and get you the necessary help you actually require. Clarity shows your truthfulness and confidence in your cause, while persistence presents your urgency and real need.
Additional Resources and Support
While we measure most of our needs in life through money, real support means much more than that. So here are some additional supports to Opdivo financial assistance that patients or their families might need:
- Patient advocacy groups and support communities can help with mental stress and be the friend you do not know you need.
- Before you tap into the Opdivo assistance programs, gather the updated information that will help you make choices better and quicker.
- Always make a list of contacts who can be of help during emergencies. It sounds simple, but it can save you a lot of time in times of need.
Conclusion
If you are reading this, it means you are here to get the financial help for Opdivo therapy, and we are here to be the support or provide you with information that can save yourself or someone you deeply care about. We encourage you to make the right choice by conducting in-depth research about Opdivo financial assistance, considering your situation.
While every way seems hopeful, crowdfunding can be a support without asking anything in return. Through crowdfunding, you can get immediate global financial support without any paperwork or any scrutiny (be truthful). Online fundraising is easy, simple, and been effective to countless causes. We want the same for you and help you strengthen your fundraising efforts by guiding you in the right direction.
Want to Start your Opdivo therapy fundraiser? Explore WhyDonate today and bring hope within reach.
