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Financial Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

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 VABYSMO. 

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

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

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

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

Even with health insurance, there may be concerns about the cost of treatment. Genentech Ophthalmology 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 coverage, reimbursement and financial assistance support. For more information, please visit the VABYSMO 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 VABYSMO. 

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

No. If the patient's health insurance plan denied coverage for VABYSMO (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.

When a medical treatment is authorized by the patient’s insurance plan for a limited period of time, it will generally require reverification of coverage for continued treatment. Genentech Ophthalmology Access Solutions can help you obtain reverification for your patients.

Important Safety Information & Indications


INDICATIONS
VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa) is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO).


IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications
VABYSMO is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infection, in patients with active intraocular inflammation, and in patients with known hypersensitivity to faricimab or any of the excipients in VABYSMO. Hypersensitivity reactions may manifest as rash, pruritus, urticaria, erythema, or severe intraocular inflammation.

Warnings and Precautions
Endophthalmitis and Retinal Detachments
Intravitreal injections have been associated with endophthalmitis and retinal detachments. Proper aseptic injection techniques must always be used when administering VABYSMO. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment without delay, to permit prompt and appropriate management.

Increase in Intraocular Pressure
Transient increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) have been seen within 60 minutes of intravitreal injection, including with VABYSMO. IOP and the perfusion of the optic nerve head should be monitored and managed appropriately.

Thromboembolic Events
Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the VABYSMO clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. ATEs are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause).

The incidence of reported ATEs in the nAMD studies during the first year was 1% (7 out of 664) in patients treated with VABYSMO compared with 1% (6 out of 662) in patients treated with aflibercept.

The incidence of reported ATEs in the DME studies from baseline to week 100 was 5% (64 out of 1,262) in patients treated with VABYSMO compared with 5% (32 out of 625) in patients treated with aflibercept.

The incidence of reported ATEs in the RVO studies during the first 6 months was 1.1% (7 out of 641) in patients treated with VABYSMO compared with 1.4% (9 out of 635) in patients treated with aflibercept.

Retinal Vasculitis and/or Retinal Vascular Occlusion
Retinal vasculitis and/or retinal vascular occlusion, typically in the presence of intraocular inflammation, have been reported with the use of VABYSMO. Healthcare providers should discontinue treatment with VABYSMO in patients who develop these events. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay.

Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) reported in patients receiving VABYSMO were cataract (15%) and conjunctival hemorrhage (8%).

Pregnancy, Lactation, Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Based on the mechanism of action of VEGF and Ang-2 inhibitors, there is a potential risk to female reproductive capacity, and to embryo-fetal development. VABYSMO should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for VABYSMO and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from VABYSMO. Females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception prior to the initial dose, during treatment and for at least 3 months following the last dose of VABYSMO.

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 additional Important Safety Information in the full VABYSMO Prescribing Information.

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