Many Reproductive Immunology Associates patients ask whether IVIG or Intralipid treatments for recurrent miscarriage caused by problems with the immune system can be covered by their health insurance.
While we have no control over how health insurance companies make decisions about your coverage, we can provide as much information as possible as well as IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) or Intralipid options for treatment.
IVIG is considered a safe and effective treatment for recurrent miscarriage
In our experience, IVIG therapy is an effective treatment for women with immunologic abnormalities associated with recurrent failure of natural or IVF-induced pregnancy. One of the significant clinical reviews that supports this is an article that is posted on the RIA website, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Therapy for Immunologic Abortion. The article, written in 2002 by Raphael B. Stricker, M.D., Alex Steinleitner, M.D., and Edward E. Winger, M.D., and published in the Clinical and Applied Immunological Reviews, is a credible review on the topic of IVIG treatment.
IVIG compared to Intralipid treatment
Intralipid treatment is another option for treating recurrent miscarriages, although it is generally not as effective as IVIG.
For some patients, one of the big differences between IVIG and Intralipid treatment is the cost. IVIG can cost between $3,000 and $6,000, whereas Intralipid is much less expensive. If insurance doesn’t cover a patient’s treatment and the patient has budget constraints, Intralipid is a good alternative that can be tried.
Not all physicians who treat recurrent miscarriages will provide Intralipid as a treatment. At RIA, we can provide both treatments.
Sources of information about IVIG and Intralipid treatments for your insurance company
If you need to send your insurance company credible information about the IVIG treatment, feel free to download the PDF article mentioned above from the RIA website using this link: http://rialab.com/pdf/cair_ivig.pdf.
You can also learn more about the effectiveness of IVIG and Intralipid treatment in this blog post from our associates at the Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine (SIRM).
Our website has a lot of information about reproductive immunology treatments. Visit www.rialab.com. On the site you can also read some chapters from our book, Miscarriages Can Be Prevented, or call us at 1-805-578-7000 and we’ll send you a copy.
Reproductive Immunology Associates are innovators and leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of immune related miscarriages. Since 1990, our physicians, medical technologists and support staff have worked with couples and their physicians. RIA’s daily commitment is to provide an environment where people who have suffered the agony and frustration of frequent miscarriage can come for information, evaluation and results. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit our website at http://rialab.com/consultations.php or call us at 1-805-578-7000.
Photo modified from original by Ashleigh W on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.