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The following may be old news for some of you. I just thought some may need to know:
Major Health Insurers Change Policies on Covering Compounded Medicines
We want to alert you that two of the largest health insurers in the nation — Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield — have changed their policies on covering bioidentical hormones and other compounded medications.
Aetna will cease coverage of bioidentical hormones and thyroid compounded drugs as of October 1, 2007. After that point, Aetna customers will have to pay out of pocket for the medicines their doctor has determined that they need. To view Aetna’s official policy, please click here to read a section of their newsletter. Invalid Link Removed
In May, BlueCross BlueShield changed its reimbursement policy for compounded medications, calling drug compounding “experimental, investigational and unproven.” This action is based upon the results of an unscientific 2001 FDA study that even the FDA does not support. Click here to view BCBS’s official policy.*Invalid Link Removed
BCBS’s and Aetna’s new policies do not serve patients’ interests, but those of pharmaceutical giants like Wyeth that manufacture equine hormone drug products. Wyeth has a long history of trying to restrict patient choice and interfere in the doctor-patient relationship by trying to limit access to compounded medicines that compete with their products. This action appears to be yet another example.
If you are an Aetna or BlueCross BlueShield customer, please contact your employer’s HR department and ask them to petition your health insurance company to reinstate coverage of bioidentical hormones and other compounded medicines. Remind them that healthy employees are productive employees and your health depends on these drugs. Your doctor has decided that compounded medicines such as bioidenticals are the best treatment option for you. Both your employer and your insurer have a responsibility to provide you with the medicines you need at a reasonable cost.
* You must agree to the disclaimer before you may view the BCBS policy.
Major Health Insurers Change Policies on Covering Compounded Medicines
We want to alert you that two of the largest health insurers in the nation — Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield — have changed their policies on covering bioidentical hormones and other compounded medications.
Aetna will cease coverage of bioidentical hormones and thyroid compounded drugs as of October 1, 2007. After that point, Aetna customers will have to pay out of pocket for the medicines their doctor has determined that they need. To view Aetna’s official policy, please click here to read a section of their newsletter. Invalid Link Removed
In May, BlueCross BlueShield changed its reimbursement policy for compounded medications, calling drug compounding “experimental, investigational and unproven.” This action is based upon the results of an unscientific 2001 FDA study that even the FDA does not support. Click here to view BCBS’s official policy.*Invalid Link Removed
BCBS’s and Aetna’s new policies do not serve patients’ interests, but those of pharmaceutical giants like Wyeth that manufacture equine hormone drug products. Wyeth has a long history of trying to restrict patient choice and interfere in the doctor-patient relationship by trying to limit access to compounded medicines that compete with their products. This action appears to be yet another example.
If you are an Aetna or BlueCross BlueShield customer, please contact your employer’s HR department and ask them to petition your health insurance company to reinstate coverage of bioidentical hormones and other compounded medicines. Remind them that healthy employees are productive employees and your health depends on these drugs. Your doctor has decided that compounded medicines such as bioidenticals are the best treatment option for you. Both your employer and your insurer have a responsibility to provide you with the medicines you need at a reasonable cost.
* You must agree to the disclaimer before you may view the BCBS policy.
