As the national voice of the peripheral neuropathy patient community, The Neuropathy Association has been on the road in recent weeks speaking out to ensure our patient community’s voice is heard in the current debate on healthcare reform.  With the debate intensifying, we specifically need your help to ensure that this climate of change finally addresses and resolves the on-going and urgent issue of restoring access to IVIG therapy to all patients in all sites of care.  If you are one of the thousands impacted by this issue, we need your help now!

What is IVIG?

IVIG (or intravenous immunoglobulin) is a blood-derived product which is a lifesaving therapy for many autoimmune diseases, primary immune deficiencies, and neurological disorders as well as a number of other chronic conditions and illnesses. For many of these disorders, IVIG prevents life-threatening infections, paralysis, debilitating inflammation, pain and death.

What is the Issue?

Reimbursement changes for IVIG included in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) dramatically impacted the estimated 30,000 Medicare beneficiaries who rely on IVIG as a chronic lifesaving therapy.  Medicare beneficiaries who rely on IVIG have been shifted from one site of care to another—compromising their continuity of care and  raising their concerns about whether or not they will be able to receive their treatment.

What Can I Do?

Patient groups representing those patient communities who need access to IVIG have been joining together to bring a common voice to call for an end to this ongoing crisis before more lives are lost or devastated.  The Neuropathy Association, in conjunction with members of the Alliance for Plasma Therapies and other patient organizations, requests your participation in a campaign to bring the voices of patients, family members and healthcare providers impacted by the IVIG Medicare changes to the appropriate representatives and/or opinion leaders to encourage IVIG Medicare reform and include access to IVIG in healthcare reform.

To make your voice heard, please Take Action to submit the message in your name.

How Can I Learn More?

To learn more about IVIG, the patients impacted, and how The Neuropathy Association is advocating on your behalf, please view the following “IVIG Access Report” videos:

Ø  View IVIG Access Report Video #1

Ø  View IVIG Access Report Video #2

Thank you for your support in this effort!

The Neuropathy Association