home nb uvb phototherapy???

[opiesmom]

Good Morning and Happy Friday to All:)

I have palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) on my feet and almost had a complete clearing up with narrow band uvb treatment at So. California Kaiser. It has been miraculous! Unfortunately, I am unable to continue phototherapy due to my changing work schedule and am interested in purchasing my own nb uvb light box for home. So far, Kaiser does not want to help with reimbursement, so I am going to pay out-of-pocket and buy it myself. It will be well worth the investment. I have been investigating pricing and have found hand/foot units to run around $1500-$2000....ouch...

Is there anyone of you out there that:
1) Was able to get Kaiser to reimburse for a home uvb light box?
2) Has knowledge of a narrow band uvb manufacturer/vendor selling a light box at a reduced price?
3) Knows of instructions to build a light box for home?

Thank you...any assistance is appreciated!!
Nancy
Riverside, CA

FIGHT ON!!!

[LottieBay]

Good Morning Opiesmom, and Welcome!
It is hard to get insurance companies to pay for light boxes, but they WILL pay. Their first response will be NO. You need a letter of medical necessity from your Dr and you need to call them and nag at them to find out what sort of progress is being made, and reiterate the importance of getting it improved.

We finally got Medicare to pay for most of mine after they denied it. Before it was approved, however, Joe went online and checked into the cost of all the components to build one and with components and shipping it is not cost effective to build one.
Try Getting Kaiser to pay. I think other people her have had success. Good Luck to you!

Margaret

[MikeK]

Hi Nancy,

Ouch is right! $2,000 is a lot of money! I don't have any experience with Kaiser, but -- as Margaret said -- several people who post here were able to get their insurance companies to pay for a home uvb unit after going through the appeal process. You might want to give the NPF a call. They have an insurance advocacy service that goes to bat for people who are having insurance coverage issues. Here's a link to a previous discussion that includes a post which describes the NPF's involvement in the successful outcome of one family's appeal for insurance coverage for a home light unit: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5155.

Here's a link to the NPF's discussion of their insurance advocacy service: http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/assistance/insurance/index.php. And, here's a link to the NPF's contact information: http://www.psoriasis.org/contact/.

I hope this helps. Good luck. Keep us posted and please give the NPF a call A.S.A.P.

Mike

[misales]

There is ebay......but you have to know what you are doing. Press your insurance. If you have Durable Medical Coverage, you should be able to go for it. Also known as DME.

[psoriaspouse]

DH's new derm just wrote to the insurance company to try and get him approved for a home unit. He told them DH has tried creams and topical steriods, Soriatane - all with no success, if anything he is worse. Since DH's skin gets better in the summer, the doctor uses this information to back up the effectiveness of phototherapy.

So, then the threat:
"A home phototherapy until could provide the needed therapy with a one-time expenditure. That would also limit the cost for other potential medications including the very expensive new immunomodulators such as Enbrel."

And if they turn it down, we will write another letter, and hope for the best. I think we will be responsible for part of the cost, but a couple hundred dollars is manageable and worth it. My mother was approved and had to pay partial, but has experienced great success and doesn't have to drive to the derm's office for treatments which were costing the insurance more money in the long run since she was charged an office visit every time. Show them the economic equation in their favor and you are more likely to be approved. Health care is all about cost control these days, you just have to speak the language.

[LottieBay]

Funny thing is......They will readily pay for enbrel! My derm sent in a request for enbrel and they approved it in a matter of days. My Oncologist said I couldn't take it, so I opted for UVBNB. My Derm requested the home unit and the insurance turned it down. They have since agreed to partial payment. I don't understand their logic!

[bratsareus]

It is crazy Lottie. Its a whole lot cheaper than Enbrel, and without the possible side effects which would cost them even more to treat. Its just another one of those things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm.
Patty

[Radbert]

I just bought Solarc's 530UVB-NB unit last week. Nicely made and costs $1195 including shipping for US customers.

http://www.solarcsystems.com/us_500_pricing.html