Empowering Health Plans with Cost Effective Solutions
Adopting home phototherapy as a first line treatment for psoriasis allows health plans to save billions of dollars in avoided drug spending while providing safe, effective care and improving patients’ quality of life. Phothera’s internal research indicates that health plans save money by offering phototherapy, even if a patient discontinues the treatment, simply by delaying the start of expensive biologic drugs.
Cost saving opportunities are even greater if payors choose to utilize Phothera’s Integrating Dosimetry and/or Guided Protocols to monitor patient adherence and encourage continuation of home phototherapy. By incorporating Phothera into your health plan, you empower your members with the flexibility, convenience, and effectiveness of at-home care while simultaneously saving millions annually.
First Year Cost Per Treatment Methodology
- Phototherapy – $5,925
- Oral Treatment – $44,165
- Biologic Treatment – $74,340
Home Phototherapy Devices Are A One Time Expense
- One time device purchase in place of recurring prescription costs
- No yearly medical tests required, unlike some biologics
- No annual medication required to combat adverse reactions, unlike some biologics
Unparalleled Safety Profile
- Safe for pregnant women3
- Safe for children2
- Safe for immunocompromised patients4
Cost Saving & Effective Care
Health plans often unintentionally push patients towards more expensive therapies, including biologics, by limiting access through excessive co-pays or denying coverage for home phototherapy devices. While some patients do require biologics (e.g. those with psoriatic arthritis), phototherapy is an ideal first line of treatment for the majority of patients that both reduces side effects and significantly lowers costs while providing a highly effective treatment and excellent results.
Cost savings compound over time, especially when health plans promote home phototherapy compliance. Ensuring patient adherence to their prescribed treatment plan and accurately measuring the effectiveness of phototherapy on their skin is essential for payors to manage spend while providing quality care to their members.
Cost of Treating One Psoriasis Patient Over a Three Year Period
This chart outlines the impressive cost-savings over a three-year span when a home phototherapy protocol is instituted.
Our demand [for phototherapy] has greatly increased in fact as many elderly in particular cannot afford the high costs or risks of systemic therapy.
– Dr. David B Vasily, M.D.
The Benefits of Phothera Phototherapy:
UNRIVALED SAFETY PROFILE
Phototherapy’s minimal minimal side effect profile reduces the cost of treating side effects and co-morbidities that may accompany other systemic medications.
Narrowband UVB phototherapy is an ideal first line treatment that is safe for pregnant women3, children2, the elderly1, and immunocompromised patients4.
EFFECTIVE
NBUVB has proven effectiveness with 82% of patients seeing nearly clear skin at just 5 weeks5 – reducing the risk of patients switching to costlier treatments.
ADHERANCE
Phototherapy reduces the risk of switching to more expensive treatments by easily integrating into one’s life with at-home or in-office treatment options.
COST SAVING
Home phototherapy is typically a one-time expense for health plans rather than the recurring cost of prescriptions for pharmaceutical treatments.
With an entry price point that is significantly less than other treatment modalities, home phototherapy can potentially save integrated healthcare plans millions annually.
TECHNOLOGICALLY DRIVEN
Phothera offers technological advancements that elevate phototherapy by promoting treatment adherence and patient safety.
Why Partner with Phothera?
At Phothera, we are committed to enhancing the treatment experience for psoriasis patients by offering a solution that is both effective and convenient. By partnering with us, you can offer a modern, patient-centric approach that aligns with the growing demand for home-based care.
Improved insurance coverage for conditions beyond psoriasis and lower co-pays for home phototherapy devices will reduce barriers for patients to receive this lower cost, safe, and highly effective treatment not only for psoriasis, but for a wide range of skin conditions.
Dermatology patients suffering from skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and generalized itch are all candidates for phototherapy.
– Dr. Shroff-Mehta, M.D.
Transform your health plan with Phothera.
Contact us today to learn more about how our home phototherapy solution can benefit your members and reduce costs.
REFERENCES:
- Bulur, I., Erdogan, H. K., Aksu, A. E., Karapınar, T., & Saracoglu, Z. N. (2018). The efficacy and safety of phototherapy in geriatric patients: a retrospective study. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 93(1), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20185468
- Pavlovsky M, Baum S, Shpiro D, Pavlovsky L, Pavlotsky F. Narrow band UVB: is it effective and safe for paediatric psoriasis and atopic dermatitis? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011 Jun;25(6):727-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03832.x. Epub 2010 Aug 18. PMID: 20726938.
- Bae YC. Van Voorhees AS, et al. “Review of treatment options for psoriasis in pregnant or lactating women: From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Sep;67:459-77.
- Rácz, E., & Prens, E. P. (2017). Phototherapy of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 287–294. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56017-5_24
- Fernández-Guarino M, Aboin González S, Gonzalez-Cantero A, Arsuaga C, Lázaro P (2020) Phototherapy with Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B in Adult Psoriasis: A Study in Clinical Practice. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res. 11:521. DOI: 10.35248/2155-9554.20.11.521
DOSING & PRICING SOURCES
a. Dosing. Taltz® (ixekizumab). (n.d.). https://www.taltz.com/dosing Pharmaceutical product prices: Lilly pricing info. Pharmaceutical Product Prices | Lilly Pricing Info. (n.d.). https://www.lillypricinginfo.com/
b. Wu JJ, Feldman SR, Rastogi S, Menges B, Lingohr-Smith M, Lin J. Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of biologic drugs used for moderate-to-severe psoriasis treatment in the United States. J Dermatolog Treat. 2018 Dec;29(8):769-774. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2018.1466022. Epub 2018 May 7. PMID: 29658383.
c. Siliq (brodalumab) injection: Plaque psoriasis treatment information. SILIQ. (n.d.). https://www.siliq.com/about-siliq/taking-siliq Siliq prices, coupons, Copay & Patient Assistance. Drugs.com. (n.d.). https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/siliq#:~:text=The cost for Siliq subcutaneous solution %28210 mg%2F1.5,card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies.
d. Stelara prices, coupons, Copay & Patient Assistance. Drugs.com. (n.d.-b). https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/stelara Stelara® (USTEKINUMAB) dosing information STELARA® (ustekinumab). (2022, December 20). https://www.stelarainfo.com/plaque-psoriasis/treatment-information/stelara-dosing
e. Skyrizi dosing. SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) Dosing for Ps and PsA. (n.d.). https://www.skyrizi.com/psoriasis-psoriatic-arthritis/about-skyrizi/dosing-and-takingskyrizi Cost & savings. SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) Ps & PsA Cost, Savings. (n.d.). https://www.skyrizi.com/psoriasis-psoriatic-arthritis/cost-and-savings
f. Support and savings: Otezla® (APREMILAST) for plaque psoriasis. A Pill for PsO, PsA, and Oral Ulcers in BD. (n.d.). https://www.otezla.com/plaque-psoriasis cost-and-copay#:~:text=The list price for a 30-day supply of,at which Amgen sells its products