On of the nation’s largest insurance companies, Aetna, Inc. changed its reimbursement guidelines this month for ESA treatments for Amgen’s Epogen and Aranesp, following Medicare’s example. Analysts say that it is likely that other insurance companies will follow Medicare and Aetna’s example. Over the summer Blue Shield of CA changed its reimbursement guidelines, but had to reverse those changes shortly thereafter following complaints from doctors and others. However, Aetna has made it clear that it does not plan on rescinding its decision; even though the guidelines are more restrictive than they previously were, they are still not as severe as those adopted by Medicare.

“Aetna Changes Reimbursement Policy on Two Amgen Drugs”