Posted by Polly V on July 06, 2000 at 20:39:16:
My father was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, but is not a candidate for laser, as he has the "Wet" type. The only solution is a treatment that is not covered by Medicare and will cost $2,500 per treatment. I am appalled that Medicare or secondary insurance does not cover such a procedure when it involves the eyes. There is also a medication not yet approved by FDA, I will be researching all of this for him, as he is quite distraught over this disease and loss of vision and independence in driving. Any direction or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for allowing me to vent on this subject.
Posted by Deb Pellegrino on July 15, 2000 at 14:18:36:
In Reply to: 7/6/2000 Diagnosis of Macular Degeneration posted by Polly V on July 06, 2000 at 20:39:16:
My father was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, but is not a candidate for laser, as he has the "Wet" type. The only solution is a treatment that is not covered by Medicare and will cost $2,500 per treatment. I am appalled that Medicare or secondary insurance does not cover such a procedure when it involves the eyes. There is also a medication not yet approved by FDA, I will be researching all of this for him, as he is quite distraught over this disease and loss of vision and independence in driving. Any direction or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for allowing me to vent on this subject.
RE: Treatment....
Visudyne Therapy (verteporfin for injection) was approved by the FDA as of May'00. Ask your doctor about details ....he may be unaware. Good luck and God bless your family!
Posted by tim on July 08, 2000 at 08:51:31:
In Reply to: 7/6/2000 Diagnosis of Macular Degeneration posted by Polly V on July 06, 2000 at 20:39:16:
I am 36 andhave the wet form of MD. I underwent Photodynamic Therapy with Visudyne. This is a new treatment approved by the FDA and may be covered by some insurances. The problem is it is so new insurance companies are just getting up to speed on it. Mine was covered by my HMO. The treatment is expensive $3200 per time and may have to be redone numerous times. But what price can be put on your sight? It does not promise vision improvement only to stabilize the loss. This is the only treatment that I am aware of for wet MD. I have visited numerous clinics including Johns Hopkins Wilmer eye center.
Posted by Mary Ann on July 07, 2000 at 11:44:05:
In Reply to: 7/6/2000 Diagnosis of Macular Degeneration posted by Polly V on July 06, 2000 at 20:39:16:
Was the $2500 treatment called transpupillary thermaltherapy or TTT? I had that for wet and am very pleased.: My father was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, but is not a candidate for laser, as he has the "Wet" type. The only solution is a treatment that is not covered by Medicare and will cost $2,500 per treatment. I am appalled that Medicare or secondary insurance does not cover such a procedure when it involves the eyes. There is also a medication not yet approved by FDA, I will be researching all of this for him, as he is quite distraught over this disease and loss of vision and independence in driving. Any direction or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for allowing me to vent on this subject.

By Charles E. Love on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 09:36 pm:

I am a 78 year old male with "wet" ARMD and have had Transpupilary Thermal Therapy applied to both eyes. Seemingly it has stopped the seepage of blood, at least for the present. The cost was $1395 per application. I have been made aware that Medicare pays for this procedure in eleven States but not in Indiana. I have written my Senators, Representatives, both State and Federal as well as Medicare. It boggled my mind to learn that where Medicare has not established a National policy of payment, it is left up to the insurance companies in each State that are under contract by the Federal Government to administer the Medicare progaram to establish what Medicare will pay for in that State. The States that pay, I'm told, are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
It seems to me that the benefits of a Federal program should be universal !!