Insurance procedures and terminology are often complicated. You can learn the basics of insurance from the IDF Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases 5th Edition, specifically the chapter on health insurance. In just a few pages, you will have a better understanding of insurance procedures and terminology.
There are certain questions you need to ask yourself about your health insurance. Regardless of how you and your family obtain your health insurance, it is ultimately your responsibility to understand your plan. It is up to you to choose the plan that is right for you and your family’s healthcare needs. Understanding your plan can have a huge impact on both your health and your finances.
IDF worked with a clinical immunologist to develop tips to help you explain the importance of Ig therapy and overcome denials. These ideas have been successful in overturning many denials for others and may be useful for you.
This toolkit created by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases(PID) Committee includes recommendations and guidelines for physicians and for those responsible for coverage determinations to ensure the safe, effective and appropriate use of IVIG.
If you did not have a FSA, you would be able to claim certain medical expenses as deductions on your taxes. However, since you do have an account, taxes were never taken out of your FSA contributions. For that reason, medical expenses paid for with FSA money cannot be included on your tax return. You should speak with a tax consultant when determining what expenses are eligible for deduction.
If you have a primary immunodeficiency disease with the diagnosis codes 279.04, 279.05, 279.06, 279.12, or 279.2, your IVIG/SCIG treatment is reimbursed under Medicare Part B. If your provider submits the IVIG/SCIG service claim under Part D, it will most likely be denied. Your provider will have to reprocess and submit those IVIG/SCIG claims through Medicare Part B.
In some cases, a Medicare Advantage plan may cover other primary immunodeficiency disease diagnosis codes under Part D. You should check with your Medicare Advantage provider to see how they are processing your claim.
- Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 26th birthday.
- Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions.
- No more lifetime or annual caps on health coverage.
- Free preventative care for all people.
- The “doughnut hole” is in the process of closing for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors.
- Insurance plans are available for persons who have not been able to purchase medical insurance because of a pre-existing condition.
- When filing a claim, it is best to obtain the most current records from your relevant treating sources, for example, your immunologist, rheumatologist, etc., and submit them at the time of the application. This will help expedite your claim. You should also obtain letters from your treating physician and other specialists with supporting objective evidence such as lab findings, MRIs, x-rays, etc stating that you are unable to sustain a 40 hour workweek. This will greatly support your claim.
- Stay in contact with your disability examiner every 10-14 days. Their name and phone number should be located on the mail they send to you. Ask them if they have received all your pertinent medical records. Most hospitals and physicians’ offices rely on copy services which only come by once a week. It may take several phone calls/faxes to obtain the needed information which could make a huge difference in your claim.
- When Disability Determination Services (DDS) sends you forms to complete regarding how pain affects your activities, fatigue, etc you should be as detailed as possible and don’t be afraid to add extra sheets to the forms. Describe a typical day when completing an activity of daily living form. You will also be asked to complete a work history form. This should include the jobs you worked in the last 15 years. Please be as detailed as possible regarding your job duties, rate of pay, supervisory duties, etc.
- You may be asked to attend a medical exam at no expense to you to in order to obtain more information. This is more common in cases such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, fibromyalgia etc when detailed joint range of motion and mobility/gait information is needed in addition to the information about your PIDD. It is very important that you keep this exam. Your disability examiner will contact you by phone or mail regarding the details of the exam.
For more detailed information, please go to the Social Security Administration Website.
Below are some “how to” tips from a clinical immunologist that has been successful in overturning IG denials. This is followed by a link to the IDF website that includes additional information including sample appeal letters that should be tailored to the patient’s clinical history.
The appeal should be short, succinct and carefully documented.
- Keep in mind that you have 2 minutes of the Medical Director’s attention.
- Provide well-accepted diagnostic studies which are in the practice guidelines.
- Provide standards of practical criteria to support the laboratory studies.
- Provide proof and documentation of serious infections/complications which have not been responsive to appropriate medical/surgical intervention; including clear radiographic evidence of persistent disease, e.g. lungs, sinuses et al, clinical documentation of infections etc.
- Focus on the rationale for immunoglobulin therapy – a doctor’s letter that states “because it is medically necessary” is not specific enough to be added to an appeal letter. Precise statements are required. . . for example: 3 episodes of pneumonia with fever to 102. Chest x-ray (if available) showed lobar pneumonia and xx days of antibiotics were required.
- Keep in mind that the insurance companies are reviewing thousands of appeals; therefore, the larger packets, will be put to the side. The shorter the appeal, the shorter the turn-around-time for a response.
- When concluding the letter, add the names of the immunologists that have completed the scientific research on the diagnosis in question, should the insurer request a peer review. For example “Should you have any questions, I would request a peer review by either Dr. John Smith or Dr. Ann Jones from the University School of Medicine”
Click here for more information to share with your healthcare professional.
POS is a Point-of-Service Plan. It is a type of managed care plan that is an HMO with an out of- network option. You can decide whether to go to a network provider and pay a flat dollar or to an out-of-network provider and pay a deductible and/or a coinsurance charge.
www.benefitscheckup.org
Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, healthcare, utilities and other basic needs. Ironically, millions of older Americans—especially those with limited incomes—are eligible for but not receiving benefits from existing federal, state and local programs. Ranging from heating and energy assistance to prescription savings programs to income supplements, there are many public programs available to seniors in need if they only knew about them and how to apply for them.
www.nfcacares.org
800-896-3650
The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is a family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for those who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease or the frailties of old age.
www.childrensdefense.org
800-233-1200
The Children’s Defense Fund is a non-profit organization devoted to children’s issues, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
www.familiesusa.org
202-628-3030
Families USA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans. The website contains state and national resources.
www.familyvoices.org
888-835-5669
Family Voices is a national organization that provides information and education concerning the healthcare of children with special health needs.
www.healthinsurance.org
A resource for families, individuals and the self-employed, the Health Insurance Resource Center provides the tools to become a better-informed health insurance consumer.
www.insurekidsnow.gov
This site provides links to state child and adolescent health insurance programs.
www.invisibledisabilities.com
The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) helps those living with various conditions, as well as their loved ones, through their website, articles, literature, projects and seminars.
www.miracleflights.org
800-359-1711
Provides children and their families free flights to distant, specialized care and second opinions.
www.ncqa.org
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assessing and reporting on the quality of managed care plans.
www.cslbehring.com
IgIQ Resource Hotline: 877-355-IgIQ (877-355-4447)
CSL Behring manufactures Hizentra, Carimune and Privigen.
www.grifols.com
Grifols Customer Support Center: 888.GRIFOLS (888-474-3657)
Gamunex Connexions Program (comprehensive support program): 888-694-2686
Grifols manufactures Flebogamma DIF and Gamunex-C.
www.horizonpharma.com
TranscendRare
877-305-7704
Horizon Pharma manufactures Actimmune.
Click here for more information about financial aid available for patients in need of DHR Testing for CGD diagnosis.
Product Information: 866-634-2765
Coverage Assistance and Patient Access Program: 877-534-9627
Leadiant Biosciences manufactures Adagen.
www.octapharma.com
Octapharma Support Center: 800-554-4440
Octapharma manufactures Octagam.
www.MyIgSource.com
MyIgSource: 855-250-5111
Shire manufactures Cuvitru, Gammagard Liquid, Gammagard S/D and HyQvia.
