Hi Everyone.  I live in Wisconsin, and have an opportunity to travel to New Zealand.  I have been on IVIG for many years.   I'm wondering if any community members have set up an infusion in another country and what the process would be. Thanks!  Dawn

Dawn, my advice is that you speak with your current insurance company -- the one that is paying for your IVIG -- and ask them under what conditions they would cover the cost of your infusions while traveling to New Zealand.  They are likely to say that they will do so, provided you pay for them out-of-pocket first and then seek reimbursement upon presentation of receipts after your return home.  This is what they generally do with all necessary medical expenses incurred abroad.  (If possible, try to get those assurances in writing!)

Then you would have to contact a physician in New Zealand ahead of time, preferably one who is on the staff of a hospital where they do outpatient IVIG infusions, and who practices internal medicine, hematology or immunology, to request that he/she write the necessary prescription and help you secure an appointment for your infusion for the day(s) that you need.

I haven't ever wanted to go through this process, so I have kept my trips, whether abroad or domestically, to under 3 weeks, scheduled to start the day or two after my infusion.  I would imagine that most fellow community members who travel do likewise, namely, they keep their trips short and schedule them around their IVIG infusion cycles.