Under the new policy, BCBSM will continue to cover IV loading doses in a healthcare setting. Afterward, most members will transition to self-injection (SC) therapy through the pharmacy benefit.
However, if you and your physician determine that IV administration remains the safest or most effective option for you, your doctor can submit a medical exception request to continue Entyvio® IV therapy. For help with this process, call Vivo Infusion at (616) 616-6055.
Receiving medication intravenously allows for rapid, controlled delivery directly into the bloodstream for faster, more complete treatment.* In some cases, your physician may recommend continuing IV therapy based on your individual response or clinical needs.
* Sources: Merck Manual Consumer Version; ScienceDirect Topics; StatPearls (NCBI) all describe IV administration as the most rapid and complete route for drug delivery.
Discuss your treatment options with your doctor to determine what’s best for you. If continuing Entyvio® IV is medically necessary, Vivo Infusion will partner with your provider to help with the exception process and coordinate next steps.
Call Vivo today at (616) 616-6055. Our expert team is standing by!
Make Your Voice Heard
Click the Use My Voice button below to view a sample email you can copy, paste, and personalize in your own email account before sending to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS). Share why it’s important that you and your doctor, not your insurance company, decide the treatment that’s best for you.
BCBSM cites updated clinical guidelines and cost-management goals as the reasons for this change. According to the policy, patients will continue to receive their IV loading doses in a healthcare setting. Afterward, most will transition to SC self-administration unless they are clinically unable to do so. Patients who cannot self-administer may qualify for a medical exception.
This change may create challenges for some patients, especially those who benefit from clinical monitoring, have complex medical needs, or find self-injection difficult. Vivo Infusion remains committed to supporting continuity of care and helping patients navigate these changes.
Both forms contain the same active ingredient (vedolizumab) and are generally considered therapeutically equivalent by national gastroenterology guidelines. However, some patients respond differently to each route, and your doctor can help determine which option is best for you.
Entyvio® IV (Infusion):
• Administered in a clinical setting
• Dosed and monitored by professionals
• Helps ensure adherence
• Preferred for patients with complex cases or prior IV response
Entyvio® SC (Injection):
• Self-administered at home
• Shipped directly from a specialty pharmacy
• May offer convenience for some stable patients
Vivo Infusion believes treatment decisions should be made collaboratively between you and your doctor. We are committed to ensuring that every patient receives care that best supports their health, comfort, and safety. For patients who require IV administration, our team is here to help you explore your options and navigate the exception process.
You have options. Here’s how to advocate for your care:
• Talk to your doctor about which treatment form is best for you.
• If your physician believes IV therapy remains medically necessary, they can request an exception. Vivo is here to help!
• Contact BCBSM to share how this change may impact your care.
• Notify your HR or benefits department if you receive coverage through your employer.
Absolutely. We’re not just here to provide care, we’re here to protect your access to it. We’ll guide you step-by-step through your options and help you protect access to the treatment that works best for you
Team Vivo is Standing By: (616) 616-6055
If you are currently stable and responding well to Entyvio® IV, you may have the right to stay on it. For many patients, switching formulations can lead to relapse, increased symptoms, or reduced adherence. Medical guidelines recognize the importance of maintaining treatment stability, especially for patients doing well.
You may qualify for a medical exception that allows you to continue Entyvio® IV if your provider determines it is medically necessary. Talk to your doctor about documenting your current response and medical need to support an exception request.
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Our mission is to provide clinically exceptional, compassionate, convenient, and cost-effective infusion care to improve the health of our patients in partnership with their physicians.
Our vision is to set the nationally recognized standard for the delivery of innovative therapeutics in a patient-friendly environment.
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