As a clinician devoted to finding the best solutions for our patients, I am also dedicated to supporting patient care and patient access to alternatives to oral opiates. Intrathecal pain pumps and compounded medications are excellent alternatives that have been around for 30 years. Patients with intrathecal pumps suffer from other serious medical conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and/or immunodeficiency disorders. On top of that, it can be hard for patients to pay for this treatment. Alternatives, like the compounded, intrathecal medications made by Bond Pharmacy dba AIS Healthcare (AIS) improve quality, safety, outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Patients, with intrathecal pain pumps, visit a doctor’s office to have their pumps refilled every 30-90 days. Because of the risk profile of these highly-concentrated opiates and because many of these patients have significant co-morbid conditions, it is paramount that patients be seen in the clinic. Coming to the clinic saves time, money and eliminates risk presented by refills conducted in the patient’s home. Further, many states also have prescribing laws that require physician interaction every 30-90 days for patients that are prescribed schedule II narcotics.

There are some proponents of a buy-and-bill model; however, working with a provider that can direct bill insurance eliminates the financial and regulatory risk presented by a buy-and-bill model. Physicians, for the most part, do not participate in “buy-and-bill” for this therapy. This class of medications, which are individually compounded for each patient, are expensive, leaving physicians and patients at real financial risk. Further complicating matters, in many states, the buy-and-bill model is prohibited for patient-specific medications. Over the years, many physicians like myself have attempted to participate in a buy-and-bill structure; however, this model results in an overwhelming administrative burden that adds unnecessary cost to the healthcare system and ultimately limits patient access to this therapy.

As a physician who relies on targeted drug delivery (TDD) services from AIS to manage my patients with irretractable, chronic pain, I urge you to quickly resolve your dispute with AIS. It is critical that I can continue to work with AIS to prescribe the pain medications and services I need from the nation’s highest quality and only dually accredited provider. TDD therapy has significantly improved the quality of life for my patients. This therapy provides lasting daily relief from chronic pain and allows patients to get back to living.

I recently learned that AIS Healthcare will no longer be considered an in-network pharmacy provider with this health plan. Should this change happen as planned, I am worried that it will impact my ability to obtain the services I need from the provider I trust. I know the AIS pharmacy staff takes extra steps to make sure these medications are accurate, safe, stable and always arrive on time. Additionally, AIS also offers me 24/7 access to nurses and pharmacists for any questions I may have and other care coordination and support services. I appreciate everything this company does for doctors like me and our patients.

I am asking you to quickly find a solution to your dispute that brings AIS Healthcare back in network to help ensure uninterrupted access to this critical therapy.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.