Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Chinese Herbal Retention Enema for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Chinese Herbal Retention Enema for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Published on: May 16, 2025

Insurance Companies' Poor Adherence to Guidelines for Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn's Disease

Kelsey L Anderson¹, Rajsavi Anand², Joseph D Feuerstein³

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology

|February 28, 2024

Abstract

Introduction:

Moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease treatment transitioned from step-up therapy to induction of remission with a biologic agent, but insurance coverage varies.

Methods:

Top 50 insurance companies were searched for publicly available policies for 5 biologic/small molecule agents. Data regarding coverage requirements were compared with American College of Gastroenterology/American Gastroenterological Association guidelines.

Results:

Thirty-four insurers had public policies. Adherence to American College of Gastroenterology/American Gastroenterological Association guidelines ranged from 5.8% to 58.8%. Only 14.71% and 17.65% of policies permitted any first-line biologic therapy in Crohn's disease and in ulcerative colitis.

Discussion:

Nearly every insurance company required failure of steroids and immunomodulators before biologic therapy. Further work is required to improve patient access to standard-of-care treatment.

More Related Videos

Multimodal Quantitative Phase Imaging with Digital Holographic Microscopy Accurately Assesses Intestinal Inflammation and Epithelial Wound Healing

Multimodal Quantitative Phase Imaging with Digital Holographic Microscopy Accurately Assesses Intestinal Inflammation and Epithelial Wound Healing

Published on: September 13, 2016

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

Published on: January 5, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management

Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management

Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Clinical characteristics of patients with overlapping eosinophilic esophagitis and inflammatory bowel disease in a national real-world cohort.

Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus·2026

Screening strategies for colorectal cancer: adjusting for individual risk factors.

Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology·2026

Postpartum nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug exposure does not increase risk for flare in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Annals of gastroenterology·2026

Design and implementation of an end-to-end AI-driven colonoscopy recall workflow at scale.

JAMIA open·2026

GLP-1RAs increase risk for cholelithiasis and GERD but not other GI or biliary adverse events vs. placebo.

Annals of internal medicine·2026

Prospective Validation of the First US FDA-Approved Computer-Aided Quality Assessment Tool for Colonoscopy: An Initial Clinical Experience.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2025

See all related articles