[Stan W.]

NIH expense coverage question-Quick reply needed

by Stan W. on Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:24 am

I'm going to the NIH in a couple of weeks. I was under the impression that my travel and lodging expenses would be reimbursed.
I just found out that I have to pay my own expenses until I'm excepted into the MGUS/SMM Natural History Study. I'm also being tested for the High Risk SMM Trial with Carfilzomib.
Does anybody who's been involved in these studies know if I get reimbursed for this 1st visit, or is it out of my pocket?
I don't mind paying and getting back my expenses after the fact.
Otherwise, I'll have to keep my costs to a minimum as I'm not working on a steady basis.
Thanks

Yes, I know this should be the biggest worry in my life right now

[natteringnabob]

Re: NIH expense coverage question-Quick reply needed

by natteringnabob on Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:43 pm

First visits to NIH are not usually compensated.

You can send all labs, tests that make you eligible for study and then have papework forwared to sign sometimes that may be accepted.

In future, reimbursement is at government rate.

[teladd]

Re: NIH expense coverage question-Quick reply needed

by teladd on Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:52 pm

Hi,

I will be flying from Portland, OR to the NIH in MD on Oct. 1 to see if I qualify for the MGUS/SMM study and possible others. From what I understand, is if I am accepted my airfare will be reimbursed. But as far as hotel and meals they do give you some towards them with each visit but I don't know if they do on the first visit. A friend who has been to the NIH about 20 times told me that the stipend for hotel is $50 a night and food is $8.00 a day. I will be having tests 2 days on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 so if I am allowed the stipend will be for 3 nights in the hotel. I am staying at the Marriott close by and was able to get a NIH patient rate of about $160.00 a night which is a savings of about $100 off their usual rate. The hotels near the NIH are not inexpensive. Maybe further away they are less money?? The above is my understanding from my friend who lives in OR. Outside of your airfare each visit is going to cost unless you have relatives close by who would give you room and board.

Blessings,

Toni L.

[Kay]

Re: NIH expense coverage question-Quick reply needed

by Kay on Sun Jul 08, 2012 12:01 am

Hi,

I faxed the medical paperwork that was requested before I went back east to the NIH and was reimbursed for my airfare, $50/night for the hotel and $8/day for food on my first trip. Granted this does not cover all of the cost. If you can get a direct flight (Alaska is now direct from Portland) you can shorten the stay on the subsequent trips - arriving in the afternoon before and leaving the next day in the late afternoon. The NIH runs a shuttle to/from the 3 area airports otherwise it is about $30+/trip to and from the airport. So try to schedule your arrival and departures to coincide with the shuttle. I was sent the shuttle schedule with my patient packet. The NIH also runs a shuttle to/from several of the local hotels.

Good luck,
Kay

[torimooney]

Re: NIH expense coverage question-Quick reply needed

by torimooney on Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:27 pm

In 2012, I went to NIH for the mgus study but was disqualified because I had progressed to multiple myeloma. However, they took blood to be used in other multiple myeloma studies and because of that, I was reimbursed my airfare and $50 (govt rate for lodging). Had I not given them my blood I would not have been reimbursed. It required follow up phone calls to get reimbursed but not difficult. Cant speak highly enough about my NIH experience.