Skip To Main Content
For Patient and Caregivers

Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Lung Cancer (nsNSCLC) Kidney Cancer (mRCC) Cervical Cancer (CC) Ovarian Cancer (OC) Recurrent Glioblastoma (rGBM)

Financial Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Get answers to common questions about support and resources from Genentech for patients who have been prescribed Avastin.

Finding Support FAQs

Regardless of the type of health insurance your patients have – and even if they don't have any – there may be options available to help them afford Avastin. 

Get details on potential programs.

You can check patient eligibility online. The financial assistance tool will guide the patient through some of their options and let them know which financial support programs may be right for them.

Here are a few things you or your patient may need on hand:

  • Patient information: full name, date of birth, mailing address, email, phone (home and/or mobile) and insurance information
  • Prescribing doctor's information: complete contact information, primary diagnosis code and prescription details
  • Patient's financial eligibility information: number of people in the patient's household (including patient) and annual net household income
Get started

Each program has its own time period in which eligible patients will receive assistance.

Avastin Access Solutions may be able to help patients understand how to get the medicine they need. Avastin Access Solutions can find out:

  • If the health insurance plan covers the Avastin medicine
  • How much the co-pay will be

Even with health insurance, there may be concerns about the cost of treatment. Avastin Access Solutions can refer patients to financial assistance options.

To learn more about potential financial assistance options, visit the Financial Assistance Options page.

Case Managers can help with access, reimbursement, and helping your patient get their prescribed medicine. For more information, please visit the Avastin Case Manager page.

Insurance Coverage FAQs

No matter what type of health insurance your patients have, and even if they have none at all, there may be options available to help afford Avastin. 

Review some of the potential options and get started.

Avastin Access Solutions is your resource for access and reimbursement support after Avastin is prescribed. You can:

No. If the patient's health insurance plan denied coverage for Avastin (after submission of a Prior Authorization, if required), the patient can apply for help from the Genentech Patient Foundation. The patient does not need to send proof of the appeal to get help.

Learn more about the Genentech Patient Foundation, including eligibility criteria and how to apply.

NEXT: Financial Assistance Options

Important Safety Information & Indication

Indication

First-line non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Avastin, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for the first‑line treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non–squamous non–small cell lung cancer.

Serious adverse reactions (Warnings and Precautions)

  • Serious and sometimes fatal adverse reactions with increased incidence in the Avastin-treated arm vs chemotherapy arm included:
    • Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation ranged from 0.3% to 3% of patients across clinical studies
    • Non-GI fistulae (<1% to 1.8%, highest in patients with cervical cancer)
    • Arterial thromboembolic events (Grade ≥3, 5%, highest in patients with GBM)
    • The incidence of wound healing and surgical complications, including serious and fatal complications, is increased in Avastin-treated patients
    • Hemorrhage (Grade 3–5) ranged from 0.4% to 7% of patients across clinical studies
    • Renal injury and proteinuria
      • Grade 3–4 proteinuria ranged from 0.7% to 7% in clinical studies
      • Nephrotic syndrome (<1%)
  • Additional serious adverse reactions with increased incidence in the Avastin-treated arm vs chemotherapy arm included:
    • Venous thromboembolism (Grade ≥3, 11% seen in GOG-0240)
    • Hypertension (Grade 3–4, 5%–18%)
    • Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (<0.5%)
    • Congestive heart failure (CHF): Grade ≥3 left ventricular dysfunction (1%)
  • Infusion-related reactions with the first dose of Avastin occurred in <3% of patients, and severe reactions occurred in 0.4% of patients
  • Avoid use in patients with ovarian cancer who have evidence of recto-sigmoid involvement by pelvic examination or bowel involvement on CT scan or clinical symptoms of bowel obstruction
  • Inform females of reproductive potential of the risk of ovarian failure prior to initiating treatment with Avastin
  • An evaluation for the presence of varices is recommended within 6 months of initiation of Avastin in patients with HCC

Pregnancy warning

  • Based on the mechanism of action and animal studies, Avastin may cause fetal harm
  • Advise female patients that Avastin may cause fetal harm, and to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy
  • Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Avastin and for 6 months after the last dose of Avastin
  • Advise nursing women not to breastfeed during treatment with Avastin and for 6 months following their last dose of treatment
  • Avastin may impair fertility

Most common adverse reactions

  • Across studies, the most common adverse reactions observed in Avastin patients at a rate >10% were:
    • Epistaxis
    • Headache
    • Hypertension
    • Rhinitis
    • Proteinuria
    • Taste alteration
    • Dry skin
    • Hemorrhage
    • Lacrimation disorder
    • Back pain
    • Exfoliative dermatitis

  • Across all studies, Avastin was discontinued in 8% to 22% of patients because of adverse reactions

Indication-specific adverse reactions

  • In NSCLC, Grade 3–5 (nonhematologic) and Grade 4–5 (hematologic) adverse reactions in Study E4599 occurring at a ≥2% higher incidence in Avastin-treated patients vs controls were neutropenia (27% vs 17%), fatigue (16% vs 13%), hypertension (8% vs 0.7%), infection without neutropenia (7% vs 3%), venous thromboembolism (5% vs 3%), febrile neutropenia (5% vs 2%), pneumonitis/pulmonary infiltrates (5% vs 3%), infection with Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (4% vs 2%), hyponatremia (4% vs 1%), headache (3% vs 1%), and proteinuria (3% vs 0%)

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional important safety information.

    • Avastin Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. 2022.

      Avastin Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. 2022.

    • Hurwitz H, Fehrenbacher L, Novotny W, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:2335-2342. PMID: 15175435  

      Hurwitz H, Fehrenbacher L, Novotny W, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:2335-2342. PMID: 15175435  

    • Data on file. Genentech, Inc.

      Data on file. Genentech, Inc.

    • Bennouna J, Sastre J, Arnold D, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2013;14:29-37.  

      Bennouna J, Sastre J, Arnold D, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2013;14:29-37.  

    • Österlund P, Alonso-Orduña V, Schlichting C, et al. Poster presented at: European Society for Medical Oncology Meeting; September 28-October 2, 2012; Vienna, Austria.

      Österlund P, Alonso-Orduña V, Schlichting C, et al. Poster presented at: European Society for Medical Oncology Meeting; September 28-October 2, 2012; Vienna, Austria.

    • Giantonio BJ, Catalano PJ, Meropol NJ, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25:1539-1544. PMID: 17442997

      Giantonio BJ, Catalano PJ, Meropol NJ, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25:1539-1544. PMID: 17442997

    • Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Colon Cancer V.2.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

      Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Colon Cancer V.2.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

    • Sandler A, Gray R, Perry MC, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:2542-2550. PMID: 17167137  

      Sandler A, Gray R, Perry MC, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:2542-2550. PMID: 17167137  

    • Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer V.5.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

      Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer V.5.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

    • Sandler AB, Schiller JH, Gray R, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:1405-1412.

      Sandler AB, Schiller JH, Gray R, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:1405-1412.

    • Cohen MH, Gootenberg J, Keegan P, Pazdur R. Oncologist. 2007;12:713-718.

      Cohen MH, Gootenberg J, Keegan P, Pazdur R. Oncologist. 2007;12:713-718.

    • Sandler A, Leon L, Fages S, et al. Poster presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer; July 3-7, 2011; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

      Sandler A, Leon L, Fages S, et al. Poster presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer; July 3-7, 2011; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

    • Escudier B, Bellmunt J, Negrier S, et al. Slides presented at: Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology; May 29-June 2, 2009; Orlando, FL. 

      Escudier B, Bellmunt J, Negrier S, et al. Slides presented at: Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology; May 29-June 2, 2009; Orlando, FL. 

    • Escudier B, Pluzanska A, Koralewski P, et al. Lancet. 2007;370:2103-2111. PMID: 18156031

      Escudier B, Pluzanska A, Koralewski P, et al. Lancet. 2007;370:2103-2111. PMID: 18156031

    • Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Kidney Cancer V.1.2020. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

      Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Kidney Cancer V.1.2020. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

    • Tewari KS, Sill MW, Long HJ III, et al. N Engl J Med. 2014;370:734-743 [supplementary appendix appears online].

      Tewari KS, Sill MW, Long HJ III, et al. N Engl J Med. 2014;370:734-743 [supplementary appendix appears online].

    • Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Cervical Cancer V.4.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 25, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

      Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Cervical Cancer V.4.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 25, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

    • Rich JT, Neely JG, Paniello RC, et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;143:331-336.

      Rich JT, Neely JG, Paniello RC, et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;143:331-336.

    • Burger RA, Brady MF, Bookman MA, et al. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:2473-2483.

      Burger RA, Brady MF, Bookman MA, et al. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:2473-2483.

    • Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Ovarian Cancer V.1.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

      Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Ovarian Cancer V.1.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

    • Aghajanian C, Blank S, Goff B, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(17):2039-2045.

      Aghajanian C, Blank S, Goff B, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30(17):2039-2045.

    • Aghajanian C, Goff B, Nycum LR, et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2015;139(1):10-16.

      Aghajanian C, Goff B, Nycum LR, et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2015;139(1):10-16.

    • Coleman RL, Brady MF, Herzog TJ, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2013;18(6):779-791.

      Coleman RL, Brady MF, Herzog TJ, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2013;18(6):779-791.

    • Pujade-Lauraine E, Hilpert F, Weber B, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(13):1302-1308.

      Pujade-Lauraine E, Hilpert F, Weber B, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(13):1302-1308.

    • Bevacizumab and lomustine for recurrent GBM. ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01290939. Updated February 21, 2018. Accessed July 24, 2019.

      Bevacizumab and lomustine for recurrent GBM. ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01290939. Updated February 21, 2018. Accessed July 24, 2019.

    • Friedman HS, Prados MD, Wen PY, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:4733-4740.

      Friedman HS, Prados MD, Wen PY, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:4733-4740.

    • Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Central Nervous System Cancers V.1.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

      Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Central Nervous System Cancers V.1.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed July 24, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.

    • Hicklin DJ, Ellis LM. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:1011-1027.

      Hicklin DJ, Ellis LM. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:1011-1027.

    • Bergers G, Benjamin LE. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003;3:401-410.

      Bergers G, Benjamin LE. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003;3:401-410.

    • Folkman J. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. Vol 2. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:2865-2882.

      Folkman J. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. Vol 2. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:2865-2882.

    • Hanrahan V, Currie MJ, Gunningham SP, et al. J Pathol. 2003;200:183-194.

      Hanrahan V, Currie MJ, Gunningham SP, et al. J Pathol. 2003;200:183-194.

    • Rini BI, Small EJ. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:1028-1043.

      Rini BI, Small EJ. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:1028-1043.

    • Presta LG, Chen H, O’Connor SJ, et al. Cancer Res. 1997;57:4593-4599.

      Presta LG, Chen H, O’Connor SJ, et al. Cancer Res. 1997;57:4593-4599.

    • Ferrara N. Endocr Rev. 2004;25:581-611.

      Ferrara N. Endocr Rev. 2004;25:581-611.

    • Ferrara N, Hillan KJ, Gerber HP, et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004;3:391-400.

      Ferrara N, Hillan KJ, Gerber HP, et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004;3:391-400.

    • O’Connor JPB, Carano RAD, Clamp AR, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15:6674-6682.

      O’Connor JPB, Carano RAD, Clamp AR, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15:6674-6682.

    • Tobelem G. Targ Oncol. 2007;2:153-164.

      Tobelem G. Targ Oncol. 2007;2:153-164.

    • Yuan F, Chen Y, Dellian M, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996;93:14765-14770.

      Yuan F, Chen Y, Dellian M, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996;93:14765-14770.

    • Willett CG, Boucher Y, di Tomaso E, et al. Nat Med. 2004;10:145-147.

      Willett CG, Boucher Y, di Tomaso E, et al. Nat Med. 2004;10:145-147.

    • Lee CG, Heijn M, di Tomaso E, et al. Cancer Res. 2000;60:5565-5570.

      Lee CG, Heijn M, di Tomaso E, et al. Cancer Res. 2000;60:5565-5570.

    • Gerber HP, Ferrara N. Cancer Res. 2005;65:671-680.

      Gerber HP, Ferrara N. Cancer Res. 2005;65:671-680.

    • Yanagisawa M, Yorozu K, Kurasawa M, et al. Anti-Cancer Drugs. 2010;21:687-694.

      Yanagisawa M, Yorozu K, Kurasawa M, et al. Anti-Cancer Drugs. 2010;21:687-694.

    • Borgström P, Hillan KJ, Sriramarao P, et al. Cancer Res. 1996;56:4032-4039.

      Borgström P, Hillan KJ, Sriramarao P, et al. Cancer Res. 1996;56:4032-4039.

    • Borgström P, Bourdon MA, Hillan KJ, et al. Prostate. 1998;35:1-10.

      Borgström P, Bourdon MA, Hillan KJ, et al. Prostate. 1998;35:1-10.

    • Bagri A, Berry L, Gunter B, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2010;16:3887-3900 [and supplemental appendix].

      Bagri A, Berry L, Gunter B, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2010;16:3887-3900 [and supplemental appendix].

    • Warren RS, Yuan H, Matli MR, et al. J Clin Invest. 1995;95:1789-1797.

      Warren RS, Yuan H, Matli MR, et al. J Clin Invest. 1995;95:1789-1797.

    • Mabuchi S, Terai Y, Morishige K, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2008;14:7781-7789.

      Mabuchi S, Terai Y, Morishige K, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2008;14:7781-7789.

    • Nagy JA, Dvorak AM, Dvorak HF. Annu Rev Pathol. 2007;2:251-275.

      Nagy JA, Dvorak AM, Dvorak HF. Annu Rev Pathol. 2007;2:251-275.

    • Galizia G, Lieto E, Ferraraccio F, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2004;10:3490-3499.

      Galizia G, Lieto E, Ferraraccio F, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2004;10:3490-3499.

    • Vosseler S, Mirancea N, Bohlen P, et al. Cancer Res. 2005;65:1294-1305.

      Vosseler S, Mirancea N, Bohlen P, et al. Cancer Res. 2005;65:1294-1305.

    • MMIT Analysis.

      MMIT Analysis.

    • IQVIA Plantrak Corticosteroid Data.

      IQVIA Plantrak Corticosteroid Data.

    • HLI lives database.

      HLI lives database.