Polatuzumab vedotin

Medicare

Part B (clinician-administered)

Given by infusion or injection in a clinic or hospital outpatient department, so it is a Part B drug: Medicare pays 80% after the Part B deductible and the patient owes 20% coinsurance, uncapped in Original Medicare unless a Medigap policy applies.

Commercial insurance

covered with prior authorisation

Covered under the medical benefit with prior authorisation confirming diagnosis, biomarker status and line of therapy; site-of-care policies may steer infusions away from hospital outpatient departments.

Assistance programmes

• Genentech Access Solutions
• Genentech Patient Foundation — Free medicine for eligible patients regardless of insurance type.
• PAN Foundation — Disease-specific co-pay and premium funds; open and closed funds change monthly.
• HealthWell Foundation
• CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
• Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society financial support

20% Part B coinsurance on a high-cost infusion adds up quickly: Medigap Plan G or N, Medicare Advantage maximum out-of-pocket, Medicaid dual eligibility, or a charity fund are the usual buffers.

Sources: Medicare.gov: Chemotherapy · Medicare.gov: Prescription drugs (outpatient, Part B). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.

Appraised for

With bendamustine-rituximab for relapsed or refractory DLBCL not eligible for transplant

Notes

First-line pola-R-CHP for DLBCL (POLARIX) recommended in TA874 (2023).

Cancer Drugs Fund

Entered the Cancer Drugs Fund under a managed access agreement; check the current CDF list for whether it has since moved to routine commissioning.

NHS England

Routinely funded for the appraised indication (or via managed access)

Sources: NICE TA649 · NHS England Cancer Drugs Fund list · SMC advice: polatuzumab vedotin. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.