One in 250 people have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious condition that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. HCM treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients, yet many face obstacles when seeking diagnosis or treatment.
“Optimizing Care for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy,” a new policy paper from the clinician members of the Alliance for Patient Access’ HCM Initiative, details the roadblocks that prevent HCM patients from receiving not only a timely diagnosis but also life-saving and necessarytreatment.
The paper also identifies policies, such as increased education and simplifying access to imaging, that can help patients get the right care.
Overcoming Common Health Plan Challenges
Patients may face a slew of obstacles when seeking treatment, ranging from needing a medication only filled by a specialty pharmacy to new-to-market exclusions, which delay newly approved medications from reaching patients who need them.
Such constraints discourage patients from seeking care, leading to increased symptoms and hospitalizations, as well as mental health challenges caused by the stress of a serious physical illness. HCM patients can experience a range of symptoms, from stroke, cardiac arrest, fainting and more. More than one-third of HCM patients are hospitalized within the first year of their diagnosis.
Improving HCM Treatment Access
Positive changes in health care policy can improve the lives of HCM patients. Cardiac myosin inhibitors and regular echocardiograms are examples of key approaches used in mitigating HCM. Ensuring patients can access these treatments is crucial.
Policymakers can support HCM patients in receiving essential treatment by promoting awareness and enhancing education. They can also work to minimize imaging restrictions imposed by health insurance companies on patients and lowering health plan interference.
Policies that reduce hurdles for patients allow care teams to better treat their condition. Improving patient and physician education, simplifying health insurance policies and implementing other policy changes will open doors for patients.
Read “Optimizing Care for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy” to learn more.
