title: Access to allergy care: implications for quality healthcare and public safety.
abstract: Some managed care companies are considering reducing or eliminating coverage for several second-generation antihistamines prescribed to treat patients with allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic hives, and other allergy-related conditions. Treatment options for all patients with allergic and immunologic diseases should reflect accepted standards of medical care. Prescription policies limiting coverage and/or use of second-generation antihistamines are medically inappropriate, below current national standards of practice in the field of allergic and immunologic diseases, and may increase health expenditures in the long-term. Any action to reduce or limit coverage will not only diminish the quality of medical care for allergy patients but have significant health and safety implications for the general public.
authors.affiliation: Southern California Research, Mission Viejo, CA, USA.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Lanny
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosenwasser
authors.forename: J Spencer
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Atwater
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D017751:Safety Management; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating