Allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), are an up-and-coming immunotherapy treatment option for allergy sufferers. As effective as they are, one massive barrier still remains: many insurance providers do not cover the cost of the allergy drops. This examination aims to show the complexity of this matter, since so many people are still unable to get insurance coverage for a proven form of treatment.
The most salient reason for insurance not covering allergy drops is because of the lack of approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA). While SLIT has been used to a large extent and has worked effectively in several research studies worldwide, it still has not been acknowledged as a product by the FDA. Failure to obtain approval may create doubt in the minds of insurance providers who are reluctant to provide coverage for any treatment that has not gone through the rigid regulatory scrutiny issued by the FDA.
Another significant factor influencing insurance coverage for allergy drops is the cost associated with the treatment. Allergy drops usually require daily administration for several years and, therefore, involve substantial costs out of the patients' pockets. An insurance company would, of course, be reluctant to cover expensive treatment that requires long-term utilization and one that seems more costly compared to the other available potential treatments of allergies.
There is also a lack of awareness among most insurance providers regarding the benefits of allergy drops and the evidence available for their efficacy. Therefore, with an incomplete understanding of all the benefits that come with allergy drops, it would be likely that many insurance providers would remain less motivated towards adopting this kind of treatment alternative in their plans of coverage.
In any case, the insuring companies that do cover the allergy drops have a very narrow or strict policy, as it goes toward paying back the money spent by any individual. Some of these insurance plans do cover some part of the cost, and others demand patients meet certain criteria before receiving coverage. This limitation can be difficult for patients to navigate even if allergy drops are theoretically covered in the insurance plan.
The lack of coverage for allergy drops will only be solved through the creation of awareness, campaigning, and advocacy for the merits of allergy drops. This may, in turn, increase the awareness of insurance providers and policymakers and persuade them to include allergy drops in their insurance coverage plans. After successfully championing better access to allergy drops, both patients and healthcare providers can collaborate to ensure that patients do not miss out on this revolutionary treatment modality.
Allergy drops offer a safe and effective treatment option for individuals suffering from allergies. However, since the treatment has not gained FDA approval and is considered costly, including the little coverage offered by reimbursement policies, most insurance companies do not offer to pay for the cost of the treatment. Advocacy and education will be necessary to reach every person who can benefit from the life-changing treatment of allergy drops.
