ALS Association Calls on CIGNA to Reverse Course and Make Relyvrio Available

The ALS Association filed a formal objection to health insurer CIGNA for the company’s decision to exclude Relyvrio from its formulary as part of our continued fight to ensure access to approved treatments.

In a letter also shared with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Veterans Administration, the Association called on CIGNA to reverse its decision.

“Failure to do so will result in the reduction of quality and quantity of life – an avoidable and unacceptable outcome,” Dr. Neil Thakur, chief mission officer of The ALS Association said.

The letter laid out five reasons why CIGNA’s decision was wrong and discriminatory.

• First, this policy is in direct conflict to CIGNA’S initial coverage of the drugs for people living with ALS made in October of 2022 that provided Recommended Authorization Criteria. Under the earlier criteria patients were approved for 6 months after which their neurologist can seek reauthorization for a new 12-month period. Under CIGNA’s new policy patients must go through the medical exception process which significantly delays and sometimes denies access and places a heavy paperwork burden on already busy ALS physicians.  
• Second, this decision discriminates against people on CIGNA’s commercial plans given that Medicare, the Veteran’s Administration, and all major insurers cover RELYVRIO™. 
• Third, this decision conflicts with FDA’s approval of RELYVRIO™for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for adults.   
• Fourth, this decision takes away the opportunity for someone living with ALS for a survival advantage of about six months along with longer functional independence.  
• Fifth, regarding CIGNA’s statement that “ Referral to a specialized multidisciplinary clinic should be considered for patients with ALS to optimize health care delivery, prolong survival, and enhance quality of life.,” please see the attached May 24, 2022, letter from 38 clinicians, who direct care at these clinics, calling on the FDA to approve RELYVRIO™ so that they can prescribe it for their patients.  

Read the full letter here.

The Association will be sending copies to state insurance commissioners in the coming weeks as part of the fight to make sure approved treatments are made available. 

UPDATE

Cigna proposed an updated policy to cover Relyvrio if a person seeking to access the drug could demonstrate medical necessity, which would go into place April 1. While this is a step in the right direction, the revised policy places onerous burdens and time constraints that needlessly limit access to an FDA-approved therapy. In a March 1 letter to Cigna, we called on the company to provide immediate coverage of Relyvrio for all people living with ALS. We will be meeting with Cigna officials again on March 8 in our continued fight for access. 

Read the full letter here.