I am a Registered Dietitian for GI disorders. I spend probably 10-20% of every week working on ordering medical foods for patients with GI disorders like Crohn’s, Cystic Fibrosis, or Eosiniphilic Esophagitis. Coverage across the Midwest is variable and this becomes very frustrating. As a provider, I know what is best for these patients and when covered, the results (i.e. improved absorption, reduced eosinophils, improved growth and weight gain) are nothing short of incredible. It is a waste of resources when these patients continue to be admitted to the hospital whereas if a simple formula change was made and the product was covered these patients could remain outpatient and healthy.
I know of one pediatric patient who was seen at Mayo Clinic but who lived out of state whose family could not afford their medical formula for PKU and the patient was extremely ill as a result. This is an direct life or death example that this lack of coverage creates. Please consider sponsoring this bill as the prevalence of allergic and malabsorptive conditions is on the rise and coverage of these medical foods will save hundreds of thousands of lives.