RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a major cause of respiratory illness in children of all ages. It is so common that most children have had RSV by the time they are two years old. For most children, exposure to RSV leads to nothing more than a cold. For other children, particularly premature babies, babies born with chronic lung disease and babies with certain heart conditions, exposure to RSV can lead to more serious health problems, such as pneumonia.

The respiratory syncytial virus is present for about six months of the year, fall through spring. It is spread easily, by sneezing, coughing, kissing, and touching surfaces that have the virus on them. Prevention is important for babies who are at higher risk of a serious RSV infection, and may include a medicine called Synagis® injected on a monthly basis during the RSV season.

For most children who develop an RSV infection, the symptoms are mild -- like a cold -- and don’t require special treatment. For children whose immune systems are not as strong and whose lungs are not completely developed, such as premature babies or those with lung or heart conditions, RSV can cause severe respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

Prevention

During the RSV season of fall through spring, frequent hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of this virus. It is also a good idea to keep anyone who seems to have a cold away from your baby.

For babies at high risk of severe RSV infections -- those with a weakened immune system -- doctors may prescribe a medicine called Synagis® to prevent your baby from getting RSV. Synagis is called a monoclonal antibody and it gives the immune system in high-risk babies the ability to fight RSV infections. This preventive therapy is given by injection into your baby’s thigh muscle each month, starting a month before the RSV season in your part of the country begins and continuing each month throughout the season. The medicine is only effective for 28 to 30 days, so injections must be given every month in order to be effective.

Caremark understands that children needing RSV prevention have special needs. We’ll make sure you get your prescribed Synagis® from our Specialty Pharmacy, along with the medically necessary supplies your doctor needs to safely and correctly administer your child’s treatment.

Caremark has more than 25 years experience with injectable and infused medicines, working closely with each doctor, clinician and participant to make sure medicines are administered as effectively as possible. In addition to providing your prescribed medicines and supplies, Caremark Specialty Pharmacy Services helps in many other ways:

Education. We’ll provide you with the information and resources to learn all about RSV prevention, the medicines, lifestyle issues, ways to manage your child’s disease and treatment, and the importance of following your child’s treatment plan.

Customized Care. Sticking to your child’s treatment plan is a top priority, so Caremark assigns each participant a pharmacist-led CareTeam. Your child’s CareTeam will review his or her medicine schedule, work with you to resolve any injection-related issues, discuss proper waste disposal and stress the importance of managing your child’s therapy. We’ll also coordinate nursing services when requested and approved.

Ongoing Communication. Your CareTeam will call you periodically to answer questions, help with treatment issues, schedule shipments of your child’s medicine, and support you in your child’s treatment plan. We also communicate regularly with the manufacturers of these medicines so we can keep you informed about additional support materials and services.

Discreet Deliveries. We know how important your privacy is, so we’ll ship your medicines in secure, plain, temperature-controlled packaging to your home, office or your child’s doctor’s office—at your direction.

24-Hour Availability. We’re here when you need us. Our Specialty Pharmacy pharmacists are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in case of emergencies.

With Caremark, you’ll have a team of experts on your side, helping you get the most professional, caring and cost-effective service. If you would like to find out more about our services, please call CaremarkConnect® toll-free at 1-800-237-2767.

Navigating Insurance

To inquire about or begin services with Caremark Specialty Pharmacy Services, please call or have your healthcare provider call CaremarkConnect® at 1-800-237-2767. You may also begin the enrollment process here. Once you fill out the requested information, one of our staff of specialists will contact you. Regardless of how you begin the process, our staff of specialists will work with you and your insurance carrier to confirm coverage for your treatment. We’ll conduct a full benefits investigation for you for the medicines you may need.

A specialist will assist you with:

•Securing coverage for your new prescription

•Determining your coverage and minimizing out-of-pocket costs

•Processing insurance paperwork and coordinating benefits

•Handling prior authorization issues

•Obtaining all necessary authorizations

•Communicating your financial obligations verbally and in writing

•Assisting in the coordination of home administration services

•Arranging delivery of your medicines

•Coordinating the start of therapy with your doctor

To explore financial coverage alternatives when insurance is not available to you, we offer Caremark Customer Assistance at 1-800-331-7171. Our staff of specialists will work with you to explore coverage alternatives when insurance is not an option. Please feel free to call us with questions or problems.

You may find these Web sites/organizations helpful:

American Academy of Pediatrics

RSV Prevention Information Center

* Caremark does not operate the Web sites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by Caremark. Information from these Web sites/organizations is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Discuss any information you find with your doctor or healthcare professional.

Copyright © 2005 Consumer Health Interactive

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