Neocate Infant DHA and ARA - Sample Insurance Letter

Sample Insurance Letter for Neocate® Infant with DHA/ARA

Date:____________

___________________________
(Insurance Company Name)

____________________________
(Insurance Company Address)

____________________________
(Insurance Company Address)

Letter of Medical Necessity


Dear Sir or Madam:

I am requesting insurance coverage and reimbursement for my patient, NAME, born on D.O.B., for whom I have prescribed the use of Neocate® Infant formula (manufactured by SHS International, distributed by Nutricia North America).

Neocate is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of infants with severe cow milk protein or multiple food protein allergies who are unable to ingest a normal diet, standard infant formulas or hypoallergenic, cow's milk-based products (e.g. Nutramigen, Alimentum or Pregestimil) My patient has failed to tolerate cow's milk, soy based and/or protein hydrolysate infant formulas.

The unique formulation (100% free, non-allergenic amino acids) provides complete nutrition and may be the sole source of nutrition for this patient, and may continue to be used for the first year of life. The elemental composition, which requires minimal digestion, is ideally suited for patients with compromised gastrointestinal function and food allergy related symptoms. The formula dilution depends on the age, body weight, and medical condition as prescribed by myself.

Neocate Infant formula is medically necessary for my patient, and will provide the proper nutrition management for this patient. Without the use of an elemental formula, my patient may experience more complications, which can result in hospitalization and/or costly parenteral nutrition.

My patient NAME has been diagnosed with one or more of the following:


Diagnosis ICD – 9 Code
□ bloody stool(s) 578.1
□ multiple food protein allergy 558.1
□ atopic dermatitis due to food allergy 693.1
□ allergic rhinitis due to food allergy 477.1
□ gastroesophageal reflux disease 530.81
□ malabsorption 271.3
□ failure to thrive/underweight 783.22
□ eosinophilic esophagitis 530.13
□ eosinophilic gastritis 535.7
□ eosinophilic gastroenteritis 558.41
□ eosinophilic colitis 558.42

My patient's present weight is WEIGHT kg and height is LENGTH cm. He/She will require CALORIES kcal/ OUNCES ounces per day. This amount may be adjusted as his/her nutritional needs change. Presently, Neocate will be taken orally, however if he/she is unable to consume enough formula to meet the nutritional requirement for proper growth and development, we may consider alternate feeding methods, such as a feeding tube.

Clinical trials have shown that the use of Neocate promotes a normal growth pattern for infants who may otherwise experience failure to thrive. Neocate is not a drug, but the FDA classifies Neocate as an “Exempt Infant Formula” which must be used under medical supervision and is not sold over the counter or at retail level. Therefore, Neocate has to be special ordered through a pharmacy or through Nutricia North America directly.



For medical reasons as outlined above, I am prescribing the following: (Please see below for the product and reimbursement codes)

  • ( ) Neocate Infant
  • ( ) Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA
In the future, because of the close medical supervision required with the use of an elemental formula,­ NAME will need active and ongoing medical supervision to observe his/her growth and development and evaluate his/her dietary requirements.

Your approval of this request for assistance with medical care and reimbursement of the formula would have a significant impact on this patient's health.

Sincerely,

______________________________________________
Signature

______________________________________________
Name

______________________________________________
Title

______________________________________________
Title – Center/Hospital/Institution/Practice

 

Cc: Current Growth Chart, Letter of Dictation, Reports, Prescription




Product and Reimbursement Information for Neocate Infant

Name
Flavor
Packaging
Calories per Can
Reimbursement/ NDC Code
HCPCS Code
Neocate Infant
Unflavored
4 x 400 g (14 oz)
1684
49735-0108-04
B4161
Neocate Infant with DHA/ARA
Unflavored
4 x 400 g (14 oz)
1684
49735-0125-95
B4161