We are aware of this restriction and have discontinued setting up a less
expensive method for Her2 as a result.
Mickie

Michael L Johnson, BS, HTL(ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Department of Pathology
Sacred Heart Medical Center
W. 101 8th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99220

johnsom@shmc.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Vinnie Della Speranza [mailto:dellav@musc.edu]
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 12:47 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: another Her2 neu question


I don't wish to distract from Jerry Santiago's question but the answer to
mine may impact what Jerry and others are doing.

Like Jerry (and others, I imagine), I am interested in exploring less
expensive options (than the Hercept kit from Dako) to provide Her2 neu
results. However, Dako is circulating a publication (Dako Hercept Test
Facts) that indicates that many states will not reimburse for HERCEPTIN
therapy (the treatment, not the test) unless the Hercept test is used to
determine patient eligibility. The states that seem to have such a policy
(according to Dako's publication) include:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida (requires that
only FDA approved tests are used), Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, New
Mexico, New York (similar requirement to Florida) North Dakota, Oklahoma,
Oregon, South Carolina,  South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming

This suggests to me that the use of less expensive antibodies to determine a
patient's Her2 neu status may not be possible if the patient's treatment
will not be covered.

I would appreciate a response from anyone who can shed further light on
this.

Vinnie




Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue
Suite 309
Charleston, SC  29425
ph:  (843) 792-6353
fax: (843) 792-8974
email: Dellav@musc.edu