Insurance for GH in Massachusetts

[Guest guest]

Hi Guys,

Despite not having posted for a few weeks, I have been avidly reading

your posts and keeping up with the news about your kids. However, the

only time I get to respond or " chat " is on my break at work - and

then it's hit or miss.

Anyway, I have a couple of quick questions regarding insurance

coverage for GH in Massachusetts. Jillie (2 on Sunday) was started on

humatrope 16 days ago by Dr " H " . My insurance company just sent me a

letter refusing to pay for GH as they exclude conditions which

are " non growth hormone deficient short stature " related. I am going

to appeal the decision but it does not look hopeful. I would like to

know from anyone in MA who has a child on GH what health insurance

you have. And does anyone have " TUFTS " health ins (my ins) and are

they paying for GH for your RSS child.

A quick thanks to everyone who wrote in with suggestions for easy to

chew protein ideas for Jillie. I have to admit, I had no idea

what " devilled ham " and a few other suggestions were but found them

eventually in the supermarket. It was also very interesting to hear

from adults with RSS who remembered having no apetite or interest in

food whilst a child. Makes it less frustrating when Jillie won't open

her mouth for anything and a easier to realize it's really nothing

I'm doing or not doing. After eating nothing for 5 days last week,

she's eating hummus and goat cheese this week! Go figure.

One last question. Has anyone noticed facial skin breakouts on their

kids if on GH?? Jillie has beautiful skin but her cheeks have become

spotty over the past few weeks which was when I started her shots.

Maybe coincidental but odd.

And , the RSS/SGA table of contents looks awesome. I know how

hard it is to put together a guidebook for medical conditions and you

have done an excellent job. Can't wait to read it.

Hope you all have a fun weekend.

Best wishes,

Howland

[Guest guest]

- If it is Dr. Harbison that prescribed her GH, do NOT

contact the insurance company at this time. Please try and contact

Yadira -- I know it is VERY tough at this transition time, but Dr. H

has very standard replies to insurance denials like this. Most

insurance companies deny on the first round, but somehow she gets

them approved.

Do you have an intermediary between you and the pharmaceutical

company? Meaning, who is ordering/delivering your GH? Caremark or

someone like that? What I am getting at, in a roundabout too long

way, is that the pharmaceutical companies have bridge programs, each

one named something different. If you contact them and explain that

you have received a denial but Dr. H is working on it, they will

usually cover you for a free month, sometimes longer. It buys you

time. It is in the best interestfor them of course, as you will be

a long term customer!

> Hi Guys,

>

> Despite not having posted for a few weeks, I have been avidly

reading

> your posts and keeping up with the news about your kids. However,

the

> only time I get to respond or " chat " is on my break at work - and

> then it's hit or miss.

>

> Anyway, I have a couple of quick questions regarding insurance

> coverage for GH in Massachusetts. Jillie (2 on Sunday) was started

on

> humatrope 16 days ago by Dr " H " . My insurance company just sent me

a

> letter refusing to pay for GH as they exclude conditions which

> are " non growth hormone deficient short stature " related. I am

going

> to appeal the decision but it does not look hopeful. I would like

to

> know from anyone in MA who has a child on GH what health insurance

> you have. And does anyone have " TUFTS " health ins (my ins) and are

> they paying for GH for your RSS child.

>

> A quick thanks to everyone who wrote in with suggestions for easy

to

> chew protein ideas for Jillie. I have to admit, I had no idea

> what " devilled ham " and a few other suggestions were but found

them

> eventually in the supermarket. It was also very interesting to

hear

> from adults with RSS who remembered having no apetite or interest

in

> food whilst a child. Makes it less frustrating when Jillie won't

open

> her mouth for anything and a easier to realize it's really nothing

> I'm doing or not doing. After eating nothing for 5 days last week,

> she's eating hummus and goat cheese this week! Go figure.

>

> One last question. Has anyone noticed facial skin breakouts on

their

> kids if on GH?? Jillie has beautiful skin but her cheeks have

become

> spotty over the past few weeks which was when I started her shots.

> Maybe coincidental but odd.

>

> And , the RSS/SGA table of contents looks awesome. I know

how

> hard it is to put together a guidebook for medical conditions and

you

> have done an excellent job. Can't wait to read it.

>

> Hope you all have a fun weekend.

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Howland