One brother approved, one denied for same gene therapy

Healthcare & Insurance Industry Focus - A family's insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, is denying coverage for a potentially life-saving gene therapy (Levitus) for one son with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), while covering it for another son with the same diagnosis [1][5] - Levitus, a state-of-the-art gene therapy, costs $3.2 million [4] - Blue Cross Blue Shield declined to discuss the specifics of the case, citing patient privacy, but stated its decisions are guided by nationwide best practices [6] - The FDA is scrutinizing Levitus after two boys died after receiving it, though their DMD was advanced [7] Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) - DMD is a genetic disorder that progressively attacks a person's muscles, typically leading to wheelchair use around age 12 and a life expectancy of under 30 years [2] - The gene therapy, Levitus, has shown to slow DMD's progress [4] - DMD causes muscle weakness and fatigue, with scar tissue layering on larger calf muscles [3] - The family emphasizes the urgency of treatment, as the son's condition is deteriorating rapidly [8]