If I am in a Medicare 

Advantage Plan, can I still 

take part in a clinical trial? 

Yes. Medicare covers the costs of participating in 

many cancer treatment trials, whether you are in 

a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or 

PPO) or in the Original Medicare Plan. 

You may take part in a trial outside of your 

Medicare Advantage Plan. Before you start 

treatment in a clinical trial, tell your plan.This 

way, your plan can still keep track of your cancer 

treatment. 

If you have more questions about what costs 

Medicare will help pay for, call Medicare at: 

1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227)

TTY users should call 

1-877-486-2048

Questions to ask 

Here are some questions to ask before you 

agree to take part in a clinical trial:  Why is the clinical trial being done?  How will it help me? 	 What kinds of tests and treatments are 

part of the trial? 

	 How could the clinical trial change 

what I do every day? 

	 What will happen to my cancer with or 

without this treatment? 

	 What treatments could I get if I do not 

take part in the clinical trial? 

	 What are possible short- and long-term 

side effects for me and my family to 

think about? 

	 How do the risks and side effects of the 

standard treatment compare with the 

new treatment? 

	 How long will the clinical trial last? 	 Will I have to stay in the hospital 

during the clinical trial? If so, how often 

and for how long? 

	 Will I have check-ups after the clinical 

trial? 

	 How long do I have to make up my 

mind about joining this trial? 

Tip: 	 Write out a list of your questions 

and concerns to ask your doctor. NIH Publication No. 10-5132
 

October 2009
 

National Cancer Institute 

U.S. DEPARTMENT 

OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes 

of Health 

If You Have 

Cancer and 

Have Medicare... 

You Should Know 

About Clinical Trials 

Medicare covers some 

costs of clinical trials. 

If you have cancer, 

you may have more 

choices for your 

cancer treatment. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are cancer treatment 

clinical trials? 

Cancer treatment clinical trials are research 

studies to find better ways to treat cancer. Clinical 

trials often compare the most accepted cancer 

treatment (standard treatment) with a new 

treatment that doctors hope will be better.What 

doctors learn in these trials will help people with 

cancer–now and in the future. 

It is important 

that men and 

women of all 

ages and 

backgrounds 

take part in 

clinical trials. 

Each trial has 

rules about who 

can and cannot 

participate.Think 

about asking 

your doctor if you can take part in a clinical trial. 

What kind of information will I 

get if I want to take part in a 

clinical trial? 

Before you join a clinical trial, a doctor, nurse, or 

another person on the research team will explain 

why the trial is being done and what will happen 

during the clinical trial.You will be given a 

consent form to read. 

The consent form will explain: 

	 The exact plan for each step in the 


clinical trial
 

	 What side effects you may have 

 How the trial may affect your daily life 

You should ask questions about any part of the 

clinical trial or consent form that you do not 

understand. If you decide to take part in the trial, 

you will be asked to sign the consent form. Even if 

you sign the consent form, you can still change 

your mind and stop participating at any time. 

Who makes sure my rights 

are protected? 

National and local groups of experts approve 

clinical trials before they begin. One of the most 

important groups is called an institutional review 

board (IRB). 

An IRB includes doctors, nurses, and people from 

the community.The IRB's job is to review clinical 

trials and make sure they are run safely and fairly. 

What cancer treatment 

will I get? 

If you join a clinical trial that compares treatments, 

you will get one of the following: 

	 The best accepted treatment for the kind of 

cancer you have (called standard treatment) 

or 

	 A new treatment that doctors hope will be 

better than the standard treatment 

Why do some people 

choose not to be part of 

a clinical trial? 

People may choose not to join a trial for any of 

the following reasons: 

	 It is not known for sure if the new 

treatment will help you more or less than 

the standard treatment. 

	 Treatments in clinical trials may have 


unexpected side effects.
 

	 You may have to pay some of the costs of 

the trial that Medicare does not cover. It is 

important to talk about these costs with 

your health care provider. 

Do I have to take part in 

a clinical trial? 

No.Taking part in a clinical trial is up to you. It is 

important to look at all of your treatment 

options.You and your family should ask 

questions before you decide to take part. Be 

sure to get all the information you need before 

making your decision. 

What cancer clinical trials 

does Medicare help pay for? 

Medicare will help pay for most cancer 

treatment clinical trials that are funded by: 

	 The National Cancer Institute (NCI) 

 Other parts of the Federal Government 

If I decide to take part in 

a clinical trial, what costs will 

Medicare help pay for? 

Medicare will help pay for all routine costs that 

are part of a clinical trial. 

Medicare will help pay for: 

 Visits to your doctor's office 

 All tests that you will need for your 

medical care 

 Your hospital stay(s), if you need it 

 Surgery, if you need it 

 Tests and treatments for side effects, if 

you have them 

It is important to know that Medicare will not 

pay for all your costs. 

Medicare will not pay for: 

 Some clinical trial treatments 

 Tests that collect information only for 

the trial, but are not needed for your 


medical care
 

 Coinsurance and deductibles