IVIG: DRUG or Medical Procedure

[elained]

Hi friends:

I am getting different information from various sources about how IVIG is classified?

I am hoping for SCIG, subq or sub cut as it is also called. But I assume both are IVIG and SCIG are classified similarly?

Or?

Does coverage come from Prescription coverage or Medical Coverage?

Just wondering, as RX coverage for me (on Medicare) has a gap and then Catastrophic coverage. With the cost of IVIG, catastrophic coverage would happen fairly early in the year.

I don't know about the medical side of coverage.

Any thoughts?

Elaine

[s162216]

Elaine, the best people to contact are probably the Immune Deficiency Foundation which is the USA's national patient body for those with immunodeficiencies as they'll know best. I do however know that until recently Medicare would only cover the cost of the immunoglobulins and not the associated administration sets, nurses etc so I assume that was the prescription coverage. However now that the Medicare IVIG Access Act was passed recently it also covers all of that as well which may be the medical side.

As said though, the IDF are the best people to ask: primaryimmune.org/

[elained]

Thanks Boss,

It looks like things are improving in terms of coverage. I'm sure my Immunologist that specializes in CVID and works with: CSL Behring AG
Dyax Corp.
Genentech, Inc (Roche Holding)
So I hope that means she knows how to deal with providers, as well.

Thanks, elaine

[terryhalper]

Hi Elaine,

IVIG is covered under Part B (Medical coverage) not Part D (Prescription coverage) for PID patients in the US.

I Hope you are getting your Gammaglobulin without issue.

Do you have a Medicare supplement Policy or just standard Medicare.

With the passage of the IVIG Medicare access act on January 10, 2013 (YEA!!!!), I hope your IGIV access will improve.

Please let me know how that goes, as I am a 23 year diagnosed CVID patient that will be on Medicare in a few years.

Terry

[elained]

Hi Terry,

When I saw the Immunologist at the end of May, she OK'd going to the pool!

Also she is running MORE tests, and I haven't started IVIG yet.

Perhaps I won't ever start it, I don't know for sure.

Thanks for the support and ideas.

Elaine