LymeNet Flash: need abstracts on efficacy of Malarone on Babesia

LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter

Follow @LymeDiseaseNet

The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » need abstracts on efficacy of Malarone on Babesia

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: need abstracts on efficacy of Malarone on Babesia

wiserforit
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 9732

posted

My insurance company (Aetna) has rejected my request for coverage of Malarone on the grounds that I do not have Malaria.

They said that their most recent letter will be "the final adverse determination" if I do not request an independent review.

My LLMD submitted two requests and both were rejected. I can submit my postive babesia test, but some how I don't think it will impress Aetna.

Anyone have a successful method to obtain coverage? I'd like to write a letter and submit some abstracts. Any recommendations on abstracts?

Malarone is soooo expensive!

Help!

wiserforit

[ 02. January 2008, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: wiserforit ]

Posts: 508 | From Banks of the Hudson | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged |

cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165

posted

That is so strange I have Aetna PPO and they have covered me so far. two refills, but the qty is only 60, so i wonder if that is why.

I think with all insurances it is based on the plan details on what is and isnt covered.

The only thing I can think of is to find pub med article or similar that states malarone is used for babesia infection. Do you know where Aetna stands on babesia treatment.

Here is aetnas bulletin, you must have a plan that requires presertification ...... there is a section B that does say the above drugs can be used for alternative reasons, but malarone wasnt listed.

Aetna

I will see if i can find it on their site.

Just keep fighting and dont give up.

--------------------
"Say it straight simple and with a smile."

"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet,
But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."

-Schopenhauer

pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg

Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged |

wiserforit
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 9732

posted

thanks for the reply, cantgiveupyet! (Your name is so great!)

I want to write a letter to Aetna and supply them with bunches of abstracts.

Any recommendations?

Best to you,

wiserforit

Posts: 508 | From Banks of the Hudson | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged |

Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780

posted

Hi there,

That is a good strategy, to give them abstracts.

I googled babesiosis and malarone, and came up with Dr. James Schaller's books and website:

http://www.personalconsult.com/articles/babesia2007update.html

I have not purchased any of this books or e-books on babesia, so I do not know what literature he cites. If you can get his book, his references would probably be handly (and you can cite his book as well).

There are abstracts on the use of mepron and zith for treating babesia.

I will look around more and let you know if I find anything! Best wishes and keep us posted! Unfortunately we DO need to fight these insurance companies....

Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged |

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:

The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey
907 Pebble Creek Court, Pennington, NJ 08534 USA
http://www.lymenet.org/