You are correct if IV Iron isn’t administered in center it is not paid for. So the center cannot supply us with IV Iron like they do EPO.
Our nephrologist writes a prescription and it is purchased through our insurance. However, Not ALL insurances cover IV Iron so some patients do go in-center when they need it. IV Iron is very expensive. If your nephrologist believes there is a risk doing IV Iron at home, I doubt anything we could do or say would change his mind. I don’t think I convinced Beth or Dori it was safe. However, if you would like me to send you a copy of the insert that comes with Venofer where it states the reactions and the # of times they have occurred let me know and I’ll post my e-mail address so you can send me your address. If you search Iron there have been a couple of discussions on this, our center isn’t the only one who has patients doing IV iron at home. Maybe if you printed those post from all the patients who do IV iron at home it would help to convince him/her.
Actually, I just spent most of last week at the Northwest Kidney Centers in Seattle, and it was very clear that they’re perfectly okay with letting folks give IV iron at home–if their insurance plan will cover it. (Some will, some won’t). As you’ve pointed out, the newer forms of iron can still cause a reaction, but much less often, and if they’re going to, it tends to show up on the first administration. So, you have convinced me (with a little help from NKC).
