Member Access to Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. When someone has sickle cell disease, their red blood cells become hard and sticky. When they travel through small blood vessels, sickle cells get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other health problems such as infection and stroke.

PCHP’s STAR Medicaid members with sickle cell disease now have access to a treatment called gene therapy, which can help improve their quality of life. The process usually involves:

• Talking with a hematologist (a doctor who specializes in blood diseases).
• Working with a service coordinator to identify physical, behavioral, and social support needs.
• Preparing for gene therapy.
• Collecting stem cells at a treatment center.
• Gene therapy infusion and recovery at a treatment center.
• Follow-up care.

To learn more about a typical journey through the gene therapy process, click here.

Additional Resources

If you have sickle cell disease, you may qualify for gene therapy treatment. Talk to your doctor to see if you qualify for one of the following treatment options:

• Casgevy
• Lyfgenia

These gene therapy options include services to protect your fertility.

Call us at 1-888-672-2277 (STAR Medicaid) to learn more about PCHP’s service coordination.

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