Maine passes Public Law - Chapter 595 

As of January 1, 2009, Maine becomes the 9th state to pass legislation that requires insurance companies to cover the cost of amino acid-based elemental formula (Neocate, Elecare) used for treatment of newborn diseases and conditions, including Severe Food Allergies, Food Protein Intolerance, Short Bowel Syndrome, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and other conditions for which an elemental diet is required.

In most instances insurers will cover the cost of the formula when administered through a feeding tube.  They will also cover the surgical procedure to insert the tube, and the hospital admission (inpatient or outpatient), but they will not cover the cost of the same formula if it is delivered orally through a bottle or cup or mandated by state law. Oral feeding is less invasive, less expensive, and much easier on the child and the parents than surgically inserting a feeding tube into an infant’s stomach. Insurers should be required to cover elemental formulas, regardless of delivery method, as long as they are required and being administered at the direction of a health care professional.

Please contact us with any questions about insurance coverage for Neocate in Maine.  We'd also be happy to try and answer questions about coverage in other states.