Private insurers (including Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® plans, indemnity plans, and managed care plans) are likely to cover Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) in the physician office when used for its approved indication. However, specific plans or patient contracts can vary considerably, even within the same insurer.
They may establish certain restrictions for injectables, including Neulasta®. These restrictions might include:
Private payors are likely to cover Neulasta® in hospital outpatient and inpatient settings.
Private payor reimbursement varies based on a patient's specific plan and the hospital's contract with the payor.
PharmacyMany private insurer policies offer prescription drug coverage.
Such policies typically cover and reimburse for Neulasta®. The setting and cost-sharing requirements are based on the patient-specific contract benefits.
Neulasta® Indication and Important Product Safety Information
Neulasta® is indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anticancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.
Important Product Safety Information
Splenic rupture (including fatal cases), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and sickle cell crises have been reported. Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have also been reported. The majority of these reactions occurred upon initial exposure. However, in rare cases, allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, recurred within days after discontinuing anti-allergic treatment.
In a placebo-controlled trial, bone pain occurred at a higher incidence in Neulasta®-treated patients as compared to placebo-treated patients (31% vs 26%). The most common adverse events reported in either placebo- or active-controlled trials were consistent with the underlying cancer diagnosis and its treatment with chemotherapy, with the exception of bone pain.
© 2007 Amgen All Rights Reserved. Prescribing Information for Neulasta®
