Scott Berkheiser, 57, who has Alzheimer's disease, sits for a portrait at his home Friday, April 5, 2024, in Venice, Fla. Insurance denials delayed Berkheisers first Leqembi infusion a few months until last December. He said the drugmaker eventually agreed to give it to him for free while he makes co-payments for the infusions. It was a little crazy, he said. It seemed like it was kind of a game that must make sense for some monetary reason.
Studies showed that it can delay the progression of the disease by a few months when given to people with mild symptoms. Some experts say the delay may be too subtle for patients to notice. Hospitals and health systems have needed more time than expected to set up their systems for delivering Leqembi, said Alexander Scott, an Eisai executive vice president.
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, started using Leqembi in October but only for patients who live within a 100-mile radius so it can reach them quickly if they develop side effect symptoms. Doctors evaluate three to five patients every week for potential treatment, said Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Ron Petersen.
Insurance denials delayed Scott Berkheiser’s first Leqembi infusion a few months until last December. The 57-year-old Venice, Florida, resident said the drugmaker eventually agreed to give it to him for free while he makes co-payments for the infusions.