Why has ACAAI launched a Payer Education Campaign?

Burdensome and unreasonable requests from patients’ insurance companies for documentation regarding allergy immunotherapy services have threatened the ability of allergists/immunologists to administer allergen immunotherapy (AIT). AIT is a very cost-effective and well-established treatment for patients suffering from various (and often serious) allergic conditions. Insurance companies should pay for this service for their covered policyholders as promised, rather than delaying or denying payment. These unreasonable documentation requests and delay tactics pose a real risk to allergy specialists’ ability to continue offering this treatment, thereby hindering the ability of their patients to obtain relief. In response, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) developed the Payer Education Campaign to help patients and the media understand how immunotherapy works, and provide guidance to insurance companies and other third-party payers regarding the treatment, why it is important, and why unnecessary payment delays jeopardize the treatment. The campaign also provides clear guidance to payers on what is appropriate vs. inappropriate documentation for these medical services.

ACAAI has reached out to several insurance companies in an effort to get a dialogue going, but has not had a response.