VOICEOVER: Dr. Jeremy Pettus, Adriana DR. PETTUS: Hi, everyone, I m Dr. Jeremy Pettus, endocrinologist at the University of California, San Diego. In the last 10 years, I ve seen how the number of treatment options have increased, and also how the decisions made by payers, managed care, and insurance companies affect the treatment options I have for my patients. I ve had to build my experience and adapt my approach to treatment choices always with the goal of prescribing options that have proven safety and efficacy, and are covered by a variety of insurance plans. I m typically an early adopter of medications, which means I ve had experience with treatments that include additional insurance requirements, such as prior authorizations. I ve also been able to see how a range of insurance providers, both commercial and Medicare Part D, process these prescriptions. While each patient has a unique treatment history, there are concerns that most patients share. Starting a different treatment can make some patients feel uncomfortable for various reasons. So I talk to them about the different treatment we re adding and how they can manage the treatment change. Then Adriana, our staff Certified Diabetes Educator, helps them with adding the treatment to their routine.
Right, I spend a lot of time with patients as they re starting something different like basal insulin. One of the main things I help them with: is training on how to administer their insulin correctly. I also help them think through how to take this treatment with their current medications. When I think about what basal insulin to prescribe, a lot of factors come to mind. Clinical attributes are always most important, but then there are other things to consider, such as: Has our office s experience processing this treatment with most insurance carriers been easy? Are there co-pay offerings available for eligible patients? I ve found that some products take additional processing steps, like prior authorization. While I work to get all the necessary paperwork filled out so patients can start their medication, knowing that some options require additional effort from my staff or me can discourage me from prescribing them as a first choice.
Medicare Part D formulary coverage can be an issue for my patients. I ve had positive experience with coverage for my Medicare Part D patients with Toujeo (insulin glargine injection) 300 Units/mL. In my practice, more of my patients are covered for Toujeo than some other basal insulin options that I may consider prescribing. All my patients with commercial insurance are eligible for co-pay savings with Toujeo. They pay no more than $10 per prescription for the first year, no matter what their formulary status is.
I encourage commercially-insured patients to enroll in the program as soon as I write their prescription. They can enroll at Toujeo.com, or call 866-390-5622. Toujeo has been accessible for most of my patients with a range of insurance providers. To find out what your local coverage is like, go to ToujeoPro.com. You select the state you practice in, and then can see both commercial and Medicare Part D insurance providers and their coverage details. I mentioned before that processing steps like prior authorizations are sometimes needed. That s right - sometimes authorization requires someone from our office staff to present the case, but often times they require a physician to be on the phone call.
The process is not always easy or consistent. Since Toujeo is a Sanofi product, my patients can access support through Sanofi Patient Connection. The program leads them through the steps required to receive their prescription, and helps them fill out insurance paperwork correctly. When I m talking to patients with a Toujeo prescription I show them the website and help them get signed up right there in the office. I never want to make treatment decisions based on a product s accessibility alone, but primarily based on the product s clinical attributes. So I hope sharing our office s experience prescribing Toujeo, including the co-pay savings program, and Medicare insurance coverage information, has been helpful to you. Our office staff has had a positive experience with the resources Sanofi offers.
Thanks for spending time watching this video. If you want to learn more about what Toujeo offers your patients, or see what coverage looks like in your local area, visit www.toujeopro.com. Thanks! [Full ISI will be read.] [Logo and sign off appears.]