Lumizyme | Private Insurance Coverage

Lumizyme^® (alglucosidase alfa) treatment is covered by many private payers; however, an individual patient's insurance benefits will vary. You and your billing department should understand each patient's insurance coverage before treatment is initiated so that problems obtaining reimbursement may be minimized.

When reviewing private payer coverage, remember that they may require the following:

Prior authorization to establish medical necessity for Lumizyme
Submission of a Letter of Intent to Treat
Submission of a Statement of Medical Necessity
Periodic reauthorization or recertification for continued treatment

Managed care plans may require a referral from a patient's primary care physician (PCP) before the patient may receive treatment from a specialist.

Obtaining Prior Authorization

Before covering Lumizyme treatment, many insurers require that physicians submit a Letter of Intent to Treat (LOI) and/or a Statement of Medical Necessity (SMN).

Appealing Denied Coverage

If your patient’s private insurer denies coverage for Lumizyme treatment, you may initiate an appeal process. Contact a CareConnectPSS^® Case Manager to assist you and your patients through this process.

Indication

LUMIZYME^® (alglucosidase alfa) is a hydrolytic lysosomal glycogen-specific enzyme indicated for patients with Pompe disease (GAA deficiency).

Important Safety Information

WARNING: RISK OF ANAPHYLAXIS, HYPERSENSITIVITY AND IMMUNE-MEDIATED REACTIONS, AND RISK OF CARDIORESPIRATORY FAILURE

Life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and severe hypersensitivity reactions, presenting as respiratory distress, hypoxia, apnea, dyspnea, bradycardia, tachycardia, bronchospasm, throat tightness, hypotension, angioedema (including tongue or lip swelling, periorbital edema, and face edema), and urticaria, have occurred in some patients during and after alglucosidase alfa infusions. Immune-mediated reactions presenting as proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, and necrotizing skin lesions have occurred in some patients following alglucosidase alfa treatment. Closely observe patients during and after alglucosidase alfa administration and be prepared to manage anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions, and immune-mediated reactions and have them seek immediate medical care should signs and symptoms occur.
Infantile-onset Pompe disease patients with compromised cardiac or respiratory function may be at risk of serious acute exacerbation of their cardiac or respiratory compromise due to fluid overload, and require additional monitoring.

Warnings and Precautions

Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity Reactions: Life-threatening anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions have been observed in some patients during and after treatment with alglucosidase alfa. If anaphylaxis or severe hypersensitivity reactions occur, immediately discontinue infusion and institute appropriate medical treatment. Appropriate medical support and monitoring measures should be available during infusion.

Immune-Mediated Reactions: Monitor patients for the development of systemic immune-mediated reactions involving skin and other organs. If immune-mediated reactions occur, consider discontinuation of the administration of alglucosidase alfa, and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

Risk of Acute Cardiorespiratory Failure: Patients with acute underlying respiratory illness or compromised cardiac and/or respiratory function may be at risk of serious exacerbation of their cardiac or respiratory compromise during infusions. Appropriate medical support and monitoring measures should be readily available during alglucosidase alfa infusion, and some patients may require prolonged observation times that should be individualized based on the needs of the patient.

Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmia and Sudden Cardiac Death during General Anesthesia for Central Venous Catheter Placement: Administration of general anesthesia can be complicated by the presence of severe cardiac and skeletal (including respiratory) muscle weakness. Therefore, caution should be used when administering general anesthesia. Ventricular arrhythmias and bradycardia, resulting in cardiac arrest or death, or requiring cardiac resuscitation or defibrillation have been observed in infantile-onset Pompe disease patients with cardiac hypertrophy during general anesthesia for central venous catheter placement.

Risk of Antibody Development: Patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease should have a cross-reactive immunologic material (CRIM) assessment early in their disease course and be managed by a clinical specialist knowledgeable in immune tolerance induction in Pompe disease to optimize treatment. CRIM status has been shown to be associated with immunogenicity and patients’ responses to enzyme replacement therapies. There is evidence to suggest that some patients who develop high and sustained IgG antibody titers, including CRIM-negative patients, may experience reduced clinical alglucosidase alfa treatment efficacy.

Monitoring: Laboratory Tests: Patients should be monitored for IgG antibody formation every 3 months for 2 years and then annually thereafter.

Adverse Reactions

The most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥ 5%) in clinical trials were hypersensitivity reactions and included: anaphylaxis, rash, pyrexia, flushing/feeling hot, urticaria, headache, hyperhidrosis, nausea, cough, decreased oxygen saturation, tachycardia, tachypnea, chest discomfort, dizziness, muscle twitching, agitation, cyanosis, erythema, hypertension/increased blood pressure, pallor, rigors, tremor, vomiting, fatigue, and myalgia.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information for complete details, including boxed WARNING.