Convince Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover Radicava for my mother.

Convince Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover Radicava for my mother.

Started
November 11, 2017
Petition to
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance and 1 other
Victory
This petition made change with 114,341 supporters!

Why this petition matters

Started by Courtney McGovern

My mom, Annagrace Peluso, is battling ALS. She was diagnosed in April 2017. In August 2017, a new medicine for ALS called Radicava was brought to the U.S. As you may guess, our family was excited to learn more about it and how it could benefit my mom. However, we have come across a roadblock. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance is refusing to cover the cost of the medicine. Out of pocket, this medicine costs over $145,000/year of treatment.

I’ve started this petition because I need your help to get Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover her treatment. Your signature could help extend the quality of my mom’s life!

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has certain criteria that a person must meet in order for them to cover the cost of the medication. One of the requirements is for the patient to have a respiratory function over 80%. My mom is at 68% right now, and this will only continue to decrease without affordable access to this medication.

My mom is currently active, and still able to play with her three grandchildren. She exercises and does physical therapy to help keep her strength, but due to the nature of ALS she needs more than exercise to be able to continue to walk and play with her grandkids. This is where the new medication Radicava comes into play. It could help her have more time to enjoy these things.

Without this medication, my mom’s pulmonary function will continue to decrease, and her mobility will also decline. Instead of giving my mom this chance, the insurance company has denied her, and this medication is so costly that paying out of pocket is not an option. How can an insurance company make that decision for my mom? How can they tell her she does not deserve the right to fight this disease with this new medication that, according to ALS News Today, “Reduced the decline in physical ability by 33 percent.” There are studies that prove this medication is effective for slowing the progress of ALS, so how can the insurance company deny my mother, or anyone with ALS, from receiving Radicava?

Time is SO important with ALS.  My family, and any others who have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, do not have time to waste.  I am begging you to please, take one minute and sign and share my petition to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, asking them to cover Radicava for my mom and other ALS patients like her.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping our family attempt to give my mom more time to enjoy life.

Victory

This petition made change with 114,341 supporters!

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Decision Makers

  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance
  • Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma