Committed to Helping You Get Your Genentech Medicine

Knowing what to expect can make all the difference. We can help you through each step of getting your Genentech medicine. 

Frequently Asked Questions

About Genentech Rheumatology Access Solutions

Genentech Rheumatology Access Solutions is a resource for people who take a Genentech medicine. We connect you to the medicine you need.

I Am Concerned About Paying for ACTEMRA

There may be options to help you get the Genentech medicine your doctor has prescribed. Genentech Rheumatology Access Solutions can refer you to patient assistance options.

We have changed the name of GATCF to the Genentech Patient Foundation. We made this change to show our commitment to helping patients and to make it easier to remember. 

Getting My Medicine

You can’t get your Genentech medicine from your local pharmacy. Instead, it will come to you from a specialty pharmacy.

Your specialty pharmacy is different from your regular mail-order pharmacy. It handles drugs like ACTEMRA.

When we check your coverage, we also refer you to a specialty pharmacy your health insurance plan will cover.

You might not be able to get your Genentech medicine right away. First, your doctor’s office or specialty pharmacy will have to check to make sure your health insurance plan covers your medicine. This is called a “benefits investigation.” They also might have to send some more information before your plan covers your medicine. This is called a “prior authorization.”

Enrolling in Genentech Rheumatology Access Solutions

  1. You fill out a form called the PAN.
  2. Your doctor fills out a form called the SMN. You do not have to fill out anything on this form.
  3. Your doctor sends both of these forms to Genentech Rheumatology Access Solutions.

There are 2 ways to fill out the PAN form:

  • You can fill out the form online
  • You can download and print it to fill out a paper copy

The PAN form lets us discuss your health information with your doctor and your health insurance plan. We can’t work with you without a signed PAN.

You do not need to do anything else, but your doctor does. He or she needs to submit a form called the SMN. The SMN tells us your doctor wants to treat you with ACTEMRA. Make sure your doctor has sent us the SMN so you get help from us.

You do not need to fill out anything on the SMN form.

My Health Plan Denied Coverage for ACTEMRA

If your health insurance plan will not cover your Genentech medicine, you and your doctor’s office can file an appeal. Contact your doctor to ask if you should file an appeal.

We have resources to help you and your doctor file an appeal.

We have resources to help you and your doctor file an appeal. You or your doctor’s office has to file the appeal directly with your health insurance plan.

This depends on your health insurance plan. You should ask your plan directly about its process. Sometimes the appeals process is quick. However, it can take several months if you have to appeal several times.

My Insurance Might Change

If your insurance changes while you’re taking your Genentech medicine, call us. We can help you understand your new coverage.

The Genentech Patient Foundation gives free Genentech medicine to people who don't have insurance coverage or who have financial concerns and to people who meet certain income criteria.

It is your and your doctor's responsibility to complete and submit all required paperwork to your health insurance plan. Genentech cannot guarantee your plan will cover any treatments.

PAN=Patient Authorization and Notice of Request for Transmission of Health Information to Genentech Access Solutions and Genentech® Access to Care Foundation.

SMN=Statement of Medical Necessity.

Important Safety Information & Indication

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What it Treats

What does ACTEMRA treat?

ACTEMRA is a prescription medicine used to treat:

  • Adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well
  • Adults with giant cell arteritis (GCA)
  • Patients with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) 2 years of age and older
  • Patients with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) 2 years of age and older

It is not known if ACTEMRA is safe and effective in children with PJIA or SJIA under 2 years of age or in children with conditions other than PJIA or SJIA.

Important Safety Information

ACTEMRA can cause serious side effects

Serious Infections

ACTEMRA changes the way your immune system works. This can make you more likely to get infections or make any current infection worse. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with ACTEMRA.

Do not take ACTEMRA if you are allergic to tocilizumab, or any of the ingredients in ACTEMRA.

ACTEMRA can cause other serious side effects. These include:

Tears (perforation) of the Stomach or Intestines
If you have diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), talk to your healthcare provider before taking ACTEMRA. Some people taking ACTEMRA may develop a hole in the wall of their stomach or intestines (also known as a perforation).

Changes in Blood Test Results
Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you start receiving ACTEMRA. You should not receive ACTEMRA if your neutrophil and platelet counts are too low or your liver function test levels are too high. These may cause your healthcare provider to stop your ACTEMRA treatment for a time or change your dose.

Cancer
ACTEMRA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works.

Hepatitis B Infection
If you have or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus may become active while you use ACTEMRA. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before you start treatment with ACTEMRA and while you are using ACTEMRA.

Serious Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions, including death, can happen with ACTEMRA. These reactions can happen with any infusion or injection of ACTEMRA, even if they did not occur with an earlier infusion or injection.

Nervous System Problems
While rare, Multiple Sclerosis has been diagnosed in people who take ACTEMRA.

The most common side effects of ACTEMRA include:

  • upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections)
  • headache
  • increased blood pressure (hypertension)
  • injection site reactions

ACTEMRA & Pregnancy
Tell your healthcare provider if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, plan to breast-feed, or are breast-feeding. If you are pregnant and taking ACTEMRA, join the pregnancy registry. To learn more, call 1-877-311-8972 or talk to your healthcare provider to register.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see full Prescribing Information and the Medication Guide, including Serious Side Effects, for more Important Safety Information