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Small Fiber Neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: Aug 30, 2023 | Replies (105)

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@cwallen9

That is good to hear that you have had success with IVIG. I am seeing an immunologist now that is considering IVIG, but he says he needs to run tests to show that it is an autoimmune issue. He says that it is really expensive (~$500k), so insurance will need proof.

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Replies to "That is good to hear that you have had success with IVIG. I am seeing an..."

The cost of IVIG is $15,000 per month if with a pharmacy or $45,000 a month if through a hospital so not a cheap remedy, but if it makes you better well worth the cost. Depending on the contract your doctor's doctors group has with your insurer and his hospital, getting you IVIG coverage can impact his salary, bonus or extra money for new equipment. So don't assume that your doctor is trying as hard as is necessary to get you coverage. Ask to see any letters/appeals the are going to the insurer. Whether because they are not trained in advocacy or because they don't really want you to get coverage letters and appeals to insurers can be terrible.

Urge them to push for a 3 month trial to demonstrate that it works. Make sure that your doctor isn't putting things in his opinion that give your an insurer a good reason for denial. I could walk on snow since I was 10 with no other major effects; then about 18 months ago I got a rapidly progressive PN that impacts every aspect of my life. The opinions of my doctor to me as well as doctors from the Mayo and Tufts is that I have a new separate autoimmune mediated PN. However, my doctor started his letters "Mark has a long history of hereditary neuropathy." Either he doesn't know how to make an arguement or wanted BCBS to have a good reason to deny my application.