Doctors group prescribes coverage for cervical cancer vaccine

[bluemoon24]

Dr. William Soper, president of Mid America Medical Affiliates, said health insurers should pay for the vaccine, branded as Gardasil.



"One of the things we're going to push this year is legislation that will mandate that Gardasil be covered by insurance companies in both Kansas and Missouri," said Soper, whose organization represents 1,400 physicians in the Kansas City area.



On Jan. 19, the American Cancer Society recommended that all girls ages 11 and 12 receive Gardasil, which was shown in clinical trials to be 100 percent effective in preventing infection by two strains of human papillomavirus, responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. Health officials estimate that cervical cancer causes 3,700 deaths a year in the United States.



Merck & Co. received approval in July to market Gardasil for girls and women ages 9 to 26. However, the cost -- $360 for a three-shot series -- has most insurers "really dragging their feet about covering it," Soper said.



"They know the benefits for the patient they cover Gardasil for today won't be reaped for five to 20 years, when that patient is probably going to be with another insurance company," he said. "So the insurers are saying, 'Why should I save my competitor money?'"



The answer is that all insurers will save if all cover Gardasil, said Missouri Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville. But Ridgeway, a survivor of breast and skin cancer, said she's hesitant to push a new insurance mandate, which can "often face considerable opposition."



Ridgeway also is considering a bill that would allocate state dollars to ensure that women with low to moderate incomes have access to the vaccine.



Dr. Blake Williamson, vice president and senior medical director for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, said the company covers Gardasil for members whose policies include an expanded routine preventive care benefit.



"We began covering the vaccine in October," Blake said.



Kaynak: SağlıkHaber