Yes, IG-SRT is covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. Because IG-SRT is an FDA-cleared, established treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer, insurers generally recognize it as a standard therapy. Medicare Part B covers IG-SRT similarly to how it covers surgical treatments for skin cancer. We have many Medicare patients who receive IG-SRT with the treatment approved and paid under their benefits.
For private insurances, coverage is also typically provided, but individual plan details (like co-pays, deductibles, in-network vs out-of-network) will determine your out-of-pocket. In our experience, major insurers (Blue Cross, United, Aetna, Cigna, etc.) do cover IG-SRT for appropriate diagnoses (basal cell, squamous cell) – it falls under radiation therapy services.
Before starting treatment, our office will usually obtain any necessary pre-authorizations from your insurance to confirm they will cover it. Most of the time authorization is granted without issue, since IG-SRT is not experimental – it’s a well-documented procedure. It’s always best to double-check with your specific plan, but we assist in that process.
Keep in mind that even with coverage, you may be responsible for cost-sharing depending on your plan (see next question). But the bulk of the treatment cost is paid by insurance if it’s a covered service, which it almost always is for medically necessary cancer treatment.
So, bottom line: Medicare covers it (with Medicare, you’ll typically just owe the standard 20% co-insurance unless you have supplemental insurance, but even that 20% can be a few hundred dollars given multiple sessions – still, Medicare pays the lion’s share). Commercial insurance covers it, subject to your policy’s terms. If you have any concerns, our billing team will clarify coverage details for you in advance.
The only cases where insurance might not cover are very unusual scenarios (like if someone wanted IG-SRT for a benign condition off-label – not applicable here, since we’re talking about cancer). For skin cancer, coverage is there.
Additionally, our team can advocate on your behalf if needed. But frankly, since IG-SRT has been around for some years now, insurers are accustomed to it.
