Great news for Texans! This weekend Governor Rick Perry signed into law a bill that will require private insurance companies to cover amino acid-based elemental formulas like Neocate, regardless of whether the formula is taken orally or via a feeding tube.

Insurance reimbursement is required for the following conditions:

• IgE and non IgE-mediated allergies to multiple food proteins (i.e. milk protein allergy);
• Severe food protein-induced entercolitis;
• Eosinophilic disorders; and
• Impaired absorption of nutrients caused by disorders affecting the absorptive surface, functional length, and motility of the gastrointestinal tract.

The law applies to health plans that are delivered or renewed after January 1, 2010. To read the entire bill click here.

Other states with reimbursement legislation include Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. However, each states laws are slightly different – To view a copy of a specific state’s legislation click here.

This is great news for families in Texas and I expect it will provide some much-needed economic relief. I encourage you to share the news with others.

Some ideas for spreading the word:

Tweet the news:
New Texas law requires insurance reimbursement for Neocate! http://bit.ly/dy2ei

Blog about the news and include the link to the legislation

Post a note on Facebook:
New Texas law requires insurance reimbursement for Neocate! http://bit.ly/dy2ei

Other ideas? Please let us know.

- Nita
Neocate is now on Facebook!

I’m excited to let everyone know about a new product Neocate just launched called Neocate Nutra – the first hypoallergenic semi-solid medical food for children and infants over 6 months of age. The product is great as a snack for a toddler with cow’s milk allergy and also for transitioning infants onto solid foods.

To learn more about the product check out the product description on the Neocate Web site. Do you think this is a product that will be useful for children with milk allergies? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let us know by commenting on the blog, or join the discussion on Facebook by visiting Neocate’s Fan Page.

- Sarah
Neocate is now on Facebook!

One of my favorite parts about being a nutrition specialist is talking to parents. While sometimes I just answer questions, other times I am able to hear a family’s actual allergy story. This is great because it helps me understand what parents are really going through.

Unfortunately, one thing I constantly hear from parents is that it took months and several doctor visits before their child was finally diagnosed with milk protein allergy.

Since there seems to be a lack of awareness about the symptoms of milk protein allergy, I wanted to quickly run through some of the most common symptoms – the more allergy parents or soon-to-be parents know, hopefully the better the diagnosis process.

Because one of the symptoms of a milk protein allergy is extreme fussiness, doctors often dismiss the other symptoms and diagnose the baby with colic. This happens all too often, causing little ones to suffer for far too long.

For more information on colicky babies and milk allergies, check out the article: What is Colic.

Other common symptoms of a milk protein allergy include:

• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Vomiting
• Skin rashes
• Fussiness
• Low or no weight gain
• Gassiness
• Wheezing
• Failure to thrive

If you’re baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your doctor. And in the mean time check out testforallergy.com to take a free test online that will help you determine if your baby has a milk allergy.

- Nita
Neocate is now on Facebook!

It’s spring time and for many people this means one thing – seasonal allergies. You, however, deal with food allergies on a daily basis. May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to get involved in your local allergy community to raise awareness about food allergies.

Even though food allergies are on the rise, many people still aren’t aware of the severity of them or how to keep an allergy-prone child safe. During the month of May, get out there and talk to your community about food allergies. Participate in the local walks, talks and parades, or…

Start your own event! Gather your friends and family together for an allergy-free picnic or bake sale to benefit food allergy research or your favorite food allergy awareness group, like Kids With Food Allergies or Allergy Moms.

For a list of awareness month events, click here.

And to read up on the latest information on Allergies and Asthma, visit myallergynetwork.com.

I’d love to hear what you are doing for Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Send us an email at babyhealthblog@ecius.net or post a comment to let us know.

- Nita