New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure

On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drugofficial launch, there has been a wide variance by third
Administration(FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulationparty reimbursers for VNS Therapy and depression.
as a treatment for chronic depression. On August 18th,On a case by case basis, some patients have able to
I was a part of a conference call hosted by theobtain to get pre- approval by Medicare, the VA and
manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator.Accordingprivate insurance companies. At the other extreme,
to Company officials, it is going to take a long time forsome reimburers have said absolutely not, maybe, we
reimbursement to reach universal coverage by thirdneed to think about it, etc. The Company indicated that
party payers at the overall policy level. The procedurethe more that patient's fight for reimbursement, the
was just approved by the FDA. Insurance companiesbetter chance they have to obtain approval.Charles
are giant bureaucracies with many layers of peopleDonovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial
whose only job is to say "NO". It is just a fact of lifeof vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic
that reimbursement will take time to "grind" through theor recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was
system.That is why I devoted an entire eighteen pageimplanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of
chapter of my book to insurance codes and the2001. The treatment completely changed his life. He
reimbursement process. The Patient Advocatechronicles his journey from the grips of depression
Foundation gave me permission to reprint its guide tothanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his
the insurance reimbursement and appeal process. Thebook:Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to
Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profitVagus Nerve Stimulation and DepressionThe book
organization that serves as an active liaison betweenwas exhibited at the American Psychiatric
the patient and their insurer.The manufacturer of theAssociation's Annual Meeting in late May. It is available
stimulator reiterated on its conference call on Auguston his web site, 24 hours a day/7 days a week
18th, that insurance coverage will be on athrough the toll free number 1-888-VAGUS-88, and
case-by-case basis. In the first two weeks of theBarnes & Noble. He is founder of the Web Site.