Hatters won’t have to pay for iron IV infusions anymore: AHS
By GILLIAN SLADE on March 21, 2019.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Patients in Medicine Hat have been obliged to pay up to $400 for iron IV infusions even though in other parts of the province there is no charge, but Alberta Health Services says that is changing. “AHS recognizes that coverage for IV iron products has varied across the province,” reads an AHS statement that followed an interview request by the News. “We understand this has been frustrating for patients and know that solutions are needed to address the concerns being raised in our communities. Effective immediately, AHS will not be charging patients for IV Iron Infusion therapy. “AHS is always working towards ensuring all patients have the same access to high-quality care, without barriers, and this change will ensure that we continue to deliver on this commitment.” Drew Barnes, incumbent MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, does not think calling a halt to the additional payment is enough. He says it’s time to refund the money to Hatters and other Albertans who had to pay. “If you were in Edmonton and did not have to pay and someone in Medicine Hat was forced to pay, the only fair way now is to refund that money,” said Barnes. “When it comes to quality public health care all Albertans need to be treated exactly the same.” AHS would not provide information to the News about which areas were subject to a fee and which were not. “Not only have patients found the charge a burden or a barrier, I often do not offer IV iron therapy to patients because of the cost,” said Dr. Donovan Nunweiler. Iron IV infusions are for patients who are anemic and do not absorb enough iron orally, said Nunweiler. Some patients experience constipation and/or nausea when taking iron orally. The anemia can be due to heavier menstrual loss when oral contraceptive pills to lighten periods are not an option or from cancer. “I recall a palliative care patient who became anemic from rectal cancer blood loss,” Nunweiler said. “I arranged blood transfusions every 2-3 weeks because they could not afford IV iron treatment. I am not sure if their body could have produced enough red cells to keep up with the blood loss but the option was not available.” AHS has promoted limited blood transfusions in recent years because of blood product supply, and IV iron therapy has the potential to reduce blood transfusions for outpatients, said Nunweiler, who believes iron taken orally should be tried first and there could be a way to ensure the infusions are not over used. 12-11
