Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
In our protocols we anticipate 8 visits including the initial treatment visit where training around the process is given. Additional visits are sometimes required if there are side effects or other illness/missed doses that require additional supervision when the treatment is restarted.
The average period of time required to reach the maintenance dose is around 20 weeks, and during this time it is likely that some email/telephone support will be required. Once the maintenance dose is reached, your child will need to stay on this otherwise the effect will be lost. Your care will also return to your referring Allergist/Clinic following the final updosing appointment.
Once you decide to progress, there is a Package Fee payable, which includes:
- Treatment initiation
- All up-dosing visits
- Ongoing support and any additional visits required (for example if there is a reaction to the initial dose and a lower starting dose is needed or if there is a period of time off treatment)
The package does not include annual follow up after conclusion of the treatment or additional dietetic support.
Except for allergen flour (which we will provide), you will also be responsible for the provision and the cost of the allergen products used in the treatment, which is minimal. There is an option of a food challenge after 1 year of maintenance to establish the level of acquired tolerance. This is an optional part of the treatment and not included in the price.
Will my Private Medical Insurance (PMI) cover?
We are not aware of any UK based insurance policies that cover any allergy desensitisation treatment and so would not expect this to be covered, although some international insurances have covered peanut desensitisation. We do not deal directly with insurers and families would therefore be required to settle our programme fees directly and claim reimbursement from their PMI as appropriate.
Oral immunotherapy (Capsule) delivery
Dependent upon the type of desensitisation programme your child is on, should capsules need to be ordered as part of the treatment, we advise all patients that these will be pre-ordered and delivered to your home before you start the treatment. Our team will provide you with tracking details for delivery and we will not be held responsible for any orders that are missed and returned to the laboratory. In the event that you miss your delivery and the capsules are returned to the laboratory, you will need to cover the cost of a reissued order (£165.00 plus delivery) as there are strict guidelines regarding safety and storage of capsules which we have to adhere to.
We are not aware of any UK based insurance policies that cover any allergy desensitisation treatment and so would not expect this to be covered, although some international insurances have covered peanut desensitisation.
