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Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Additional FAQs may be added at a later date.
Will my insurance cover my child's Increlex® prescription?
What if my insurance carrier changes?
What is a prior authorization?
What will I do if my insurance does not cover my prescription?
Is Medicaid covering Increlex?
Do you know what my co-pay would be if I started Increlex?
Do you have a program for patients that have no insurance?
How can the PACE program help me?
How long does it take to obtain insurance coverage for Increlex?
Why is the package of Increlex I received so large?
Will my insurance cover my child's Increlex prescription?
We cannot say for sure if your insurance will cover Increlex. Once your physician completes the Increlex enrollment form and submits it to PACE, a Patient Care Liaison (PCL) will be assigned to your case. The PCL can determine your insurance benefits, payer requirements and out-of-pocket costs for Increlex. The PCL can also explain Increlex financial assistance programs to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
What if my insurance carrier changes?
If your insurance carrier changes, be sure to call your PACE PCL right away so that he/she can update your records and identify any changes in coverage that you may experience.
What is a specialty pharmacy?
Some medications, such as Increlex, are not available in regular retail pharmacies. Instead, they are distributed through a network of specialty pharmacies. A specialty pharmacy provides therapies that generally require more complex care, or that require specialized delivery and administration on an ongoing basis. Unlike retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies often offer special support services to patients. They also deliver your medication directly to you. Our PCL can coordinate delivery of Increlex to you through our specialty pharmacy network.
What is a prior authorization?
A prior authorization is when your insurance company must pre-approve your medication before you start therapy. This normally involves providing medical information, so your insurance company will understand why your doctor prescribed a particular treatment. If requested by your doctor, PACE can help support this process on your behalf.
What will I do if my insurance does not cover my prescription?
If your insurance company denies your doctor's request for Increlex, PACE can provide you and your doctor with information about the appeals process and our financial assistance programs for Increlex.
Is Medicaid covering Increlex?
Coverage may vary depending upon your particular carrier and the state you live in. A PACE PCL can help you get answers to questions you may have.
Do you know what my co-pay would be if I started Increlex?
We can't say without calling your insurance company to investigate your benefits. Please be aware that we can help determine your potential out-of-pocket cost, but this is not a guarantee of payment by your insurance company.
Do you have a program for patients that have no insurance?
Yes, we do have a program to help eligible, uninsured patients get access to Increlex. Please call PACE at 1-866-435-5677 for more information and to see if you may qualify.
How can the PACE program help me?
The goal of PACE is to simplify interactions between you, your insurance company and your doctor's office. Our PCLs are at the center of PACE. The PCL can determine your insurance benefits, payer requirements and out-of-pocket costs for Increlex, coordinate delivery of Increlex starter therapy at no cost for eligible patients*, arrange for training and education through the Ipsen Nurse Network at the request of your doctor, explain Increlex financial assistance programs to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs and coordinate delivery of Increlex through our specialty pharmacy network.
How long does it take to obtain insurance coverage for Increlex?
This varies by insurance plan.
Why is the package of Increlex I received so large?
Because Increlex must be stored in the refrigerator at all times, it is delivered to you along with refrigerated ice packs to keep the medicine cool.
*Patient Eligibility Criteria: Patient has been diagnosed with severe Primary IGFD. Patient’s prescriptions are not paid in part or full by any state-funded or federally-funded programs, including but not limited to Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, DOD or TriCare. Patient is not a resident of Massachusetts. Starter therapy is available for up to 8 months as long as insurance coverage for Increlex is actively being pursued by the prescriber and the patient's insurance company has not yet communicated a final coverage decision.
Indication and Important Safety Information
Who is Increlex® for?
INCRELEX is used to treat children who are very short for their age because their bodies do not make enough IGF-1. This condition is called severe primary IGF-1 deficiency. INCRELEX should not be used instead of growth hormone.
Who should not use Increlex?
Your child should not take INCRELEX if your child: has finished growing (the growth plates at the end of the bones are closed); has cancer; has other causes of growth failure; OR is allergic to mecasermin or any of the inactive ingredients in INCRELEX. INCRELEX has not been studied in children under 2 years of age and should never be used in newborns. Your child should never receive INCRELEX through a vein.
Before your child takes Increlex, you should tell your child's doctor about:
All of your child's health conditions, including: diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems, allergies, scoliosis (curved spine), pregnancy, or breast-feeding.
All the medicines (prescription and nonprescription), vitamins, and herbal supplements your child takes, especially insulin or other anti-diabetes medicines, which may require dose adjustment of these medicines.
What are possible side effects of increlex (some of which can be serious)?
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Only give your child INCRELEX right before or right after (20 minutes on either side of) a snack or meal to reduce the chances of hypoglycemia. Signs include dizziness, tiredness, restlessness, hunger, irritability, trouble concentrating, sweating, nausea, and fast or irregular heartbeat. Do not give your child INCRELEX if your child is sick or cannot eat.
Severe hypoglycemia may cause unconsciousness, seizures, or death. People taking INCRELEX should avoid participating in high risk activities (such as driving) within 2 to 3 hours after an INCRELEX injection.
Increased pressure in the brain (intracranial hypertension). INCRELEX, like growth hormone, can sometimes cause a temporary increase in pressure within the brain. Symptoms include persistent headache, blurred vision, and nausea with vomiting.
Allergic reactions. Your child may have a mild or serious allergic reaction with Increlex. Call your child's doctor right away if your child gets a rash or hives. Hives, also known as urticaria, appear as a raised, itchy skin reaction. Hives appear pale in the middle with a red rim around them. Hives generally appear minutes to hours after the injection and may sometimes occur at numerous places on the skin. Get medical help immediately if your child has trouble breathing or goes into shock, with symptoms like dizziness, pale, clammy skin, and/or passing out.
Enlarged tonsils. Signs include: snoring, difficulty breathing or swallowing, sleep apnea (a condition where breathing stops briefly during sleep), or fluid in the middle ear.
A bone problem called slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This happens when the top of the upper leg (femur) slips apart from the rest of the bone. Seek immediate medical attention if your child develops a limp or has hip or knee pain.
Worsened scoliosis (caused by rapid growth).
Injection site reactions including: swelling, loss of fat, increase of fat, pain, redness, or bruising. This can be avoided by changing/rotating the injection site at each injection.
Your child's doctor is your primary source of information about treatment. For more information, please talk to your doctor and download and review the full Patient Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For Patient Product Information, click here.
