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Despite the FDA approving the use of HGH, some health insurers do not fully cover the therapy. The doctors report that the procedure is safe and effective for the individuals who undergo their treatment under doctors’ supervision. Many people do not have an idea as to whether their insurance covers HGH therapy treatment.
Some insurance plans would cover the HGH cost of someone suffering from Prader-Willi Syndrome. The therapy is critical in correcting some of the body’s deficiencies.
Older people nowadays use the therapy as an anti-aging therapy which many health insurers do not support. It is essential to check with your insurer to confirm if they provide HGH coverage. If they do, find out what types of HGH therapy they cover in their benefits.
Why HGH is so important?
The human body naturally produces the HGH in the pituitary gland found in the brain. HGH is vital in promoting and supporting the healthy growth of a person throughout their lifetime.
Growth hormone promotes growth through the body’s tissues and organs. HGH helps in increasing body fluids, muscle formation, bone growth, fat metabolism, among other functions. As with other hormones, HGH is produced in high concentration when we are young. However, when we get older into our thirties, the production of the HGH reduces.
With the advancement in the medical field, it is now possible to manufacture the growth hormone artificially. The FDA approved the utilization of synthetic HGH for various specific illnesses and purposes. The therapy is approved for use by children and seniors.
When can a child use HGH therapy?
A child can take advantage of the therapy when they have the following conditions:
- Prader-Will Syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- Chronic kidney
- A child born small for their gestational age
- Growth hormone deficiency in a child
When can an adult get HGH therapy?
The following symptoms in adults are approved by the FDA:
- HGH deficiency: the therapy is prevalent among patients with a rare type of pituitary tumor o those undergoing the therapy for such a condition
- Short bowel syndrome: therapy is necessary when there is improper absorption of food in the digestive system. That could be due to various reasons such as the removal of a substantial part of the intestines or an infection within the intestines
- Muscle wasting conditions: the therapy applies to adults with AIDS. It helps in reviving their muscles and strength.
Apart from the mentioned use of HGH therapy, other applications are unauthorized by the FDA. Most people today use HGH therapy to prevent the aging process. Many experts have come out to claim that growth hormone has anti-aging properties. However, the FDA has not yet supported the claims made by the experts.
Some of the benefits the experts say HGH included: improved sexual performance, hair restoration, strengthening of the immune system, better sleep, and enhanced memory. HGH hormone comes in various forms including injections, pills, and sprays. Some athletes use the HGH alongside steroids to help them perform optimally and increase their strength. However, the two cases of therapy are not approved by the FDA.
Who is eligible for HGH therapy coverage?
Health insurers cover HGH therapy. However, the coverage only applies to specific cases. For example, a child with growth hormone deficinecy can benefit from the coverage. There are various procedures that one has to go through to become eligible. The pediatric endocrinologist will first carry out some tests on the child and analyze their GH levels.
After proving that indeed the hormone levels are below the average number, he or she will have to put it down in writing a recommendation. Only then would the insurance company cover the cost of your therapy. Most insurance companies will cover the therapy cost by up to 80%.
80% is a considerable cost covered by insurance considering the expensive cost of the therapy. You will, therefore, have to pay the other 20% of the therapy from your pocket.
A person with conditions such as Turner’s syndrome is eligible to receive insurance benefits. Be it the SHOX deficiency or Noonan condition; you will receive medical coverage. When it comes to adults, the ones who suffer from AIDS or HIV are eligible for therapy. The therapy helps in reducing muscle wastage by increasing their strength.
The coverage only applies to an adult who has a deficiency that arises due to other factors other than the natural aging process. Deficiency in GH levels arises due to surgeries. The surgeries can result from short bowel syndrome therapy. Other times, it can be due to the procedure involved while treating someone with a rare form of pituitary tumor.
Who is not eligible for HGH therapy coverage?
The cases not approved by the FDA do not qualify one for health insurance coverage. Health insurance only incurs the costs of HGH therapy. The people who opt for HGH therapy to prevent the aging process do not receive any benefits from the coverage. The athletes who want to pursue such therapies to improve their sports performance and strength do not get the benefits. These types of people will have to incur such costs from their own pockets.
If you suffer from the above medical conditions such as HGH deficiency, the doctor has to recommend that it is safe and necessary to undergo the HGH therapy or else, you may not be eligible.
