ALS Association challenges insurers over treatment access hurdles
What happened
The ALS Association launched a national campaign, We Are Undeniable, to help people fight insurance denials for necessary medications and equipment. An Association review found that nearly all 19 commercial insurers add hurdles for the first gene-targeted ALS treatment that were not required by the FDA.
From prnewswire.com
Why it matters
The campaign aims to push for lasting changes to prevent denials, arguing that delays in treatment access are equivalent to denial for patients facing fatal illness. This highlights friction between regulatory approval and commercial implementation of new, high-cost therapies.
Advocacy groups, including the Georgia Hospital Association and the American Medical Association, have warned about insurers having excessive power over patient care and widespread prior authorization issues.
From prnewswire.com
Who's involved
- ALS AssociationLeading a campaign to challenge insurance denials for ALS treatments
- FDAThe regulatory body whose requirements are being challenged by insurers
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- ModernaSpeculative
Moderna might see reduced market adoption or revenue for its products if insurance barriers prevent patient access to FDA-approved treatments
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The entities involved
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ALS Association
American nonprofit organization
Nothing else this week.
- FDA