Clinical Trials
Insurance Coverage
California law requires most health plans to cover the "routine patient care costs" involved in a cancer clinical trial. The legislation called SB-37, and was signed into law and took effect on Jan. 1, 2002.
The law covers cancer patients who participate in Phase I, II, III or IV cancer treatment trials approved by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes most cancer clinical trials.
The law gives cancer patients the freedom to think about taking part in a cancer clinical trial without having to worry about how they will pay for it.
These costs are considered “routine” for cancer patients, regardless of your participation in a clinical trial.
- Doctor visits and hospital stays
- Lab tests, X-rays, other standard tests
- Medications or treatments normally covered by your insurance
- Experimental drugs not yet FDA-approved
- Tests/procedures done only for research
- Sponsors (government, research institutions and drug companies) usually cover the costs of experimental treatments.
- Copayments or deductibles may still be required, per your health plan.
“California’s Cancer Clinical Trial Law: What it Means for Physicians”
Download the brochure (PDF)
California Department of Managed Health Care
Website: www.hmohelp.ca.gov
Email: contact their Help Center
Phone: 888-466-2219
California Department of Insurance
Website: www.insurance.ca.gov
Phone: 800-927-4357
California Department of Health Services
Website: www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Phone: 916-657-1460
National Patient Advocate Foundation
Website: www.npaf.org
Email: action@npaf.org
Phone: 202-347-8009
Patient Advocate Foundation
Website: www.patientadvocate.org
Phone: 800-532-5274
Medicare
Website: www.medicare.gov
Contact Information for Clinical Trials
Adult cancer clinical trials: 916-734-0565
Pediatric cancer clinical trials: 916-734-2780
Phase 1 clinical trials: 916-703-5558
