How to ease the cost of central precocious puberty treatment

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a medical condition that causes a child to begin puberty at an earlier age—before 8 years in females and before 9 years in males. It is associated with numerous types of social and psychological distress, including stigma, peer pressure, and social withdrawal. It is also associated with shortened height as an adult (due to early bone maturation) and several long-term health risks, including obesity, metabolic disorders, early menopause, and fertility problems.

In other words, it is a condition that requires medical evaluation and treatment. Evaluation will rule out the possibility of other types of early puberty and identify any underlying conditions that might be contributing to CPP. In most cases, the cause of CPP is unknown, but some cases occur as the result of inherited genetic disorders, tumors, or injuries to the brain and/or spinal cord.

Because CPP affects children, treatment decisions will be the responsibility of parents and caregivers. A healthcare provider will advise you on how quickly puberty is progressing, the potential for complications, and the recommended treatment approach.

Medications that treat CPP

Medications that suppress the hormones that regulate puberty are the main treatment for central precocious puberty (CPP). These medications are called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and are typically administered as injections or subcutaneous implants, which means they are administered at a healthcare provider’s office or with a minor surgical procedure.

When a child reaches an age where puberty should resume, the medication is stopped and puberty continues.

Reducing the cost of treatment

The out-of-pocket expenses for treating CPP can be challenging. The total cost of treatment can include medications, office visits, injections or implant procedures, laboratory tests, and imaging studies (such as X-rays to monitor bone growth).

If the cost of treatment is a concern, the strategies below may help.

Talk to your healthcare provider

This should be your first step whenever you have a concern about treatment, including cost. Your healthcare provider may be able to recommend resources or strategies to help.

Many insurance plans require prior authorization before they will cover medications used to treat CPP. Your healthcare provider's office will often have experience with this process. Ask if there is a social worker or patient navigator who can help guide you through the insurance process or possibly recommend financial resources.

Contact your health insurance provider

Cost and coverage can vary between insurance plans and medications. Your insurance provider can also explain prior authorization requirements and what your expected out-of-pocket costs will be.

Manufacturer discounts and savings

Some drug manufacturers offer programs that can help reduce the cost of medications. Visit the medication’s website to see which programs are available and whether you qualify.

Two types of programs to look for include:

Copay cards

Also called copay savings programs, copay cards provide a discount that can be applied to the cost of a specific medication at your healthcare provider’s office. These programs are typically available to people with commercial health insurance.

Patient assistance programs (PAPs)

Patient assistance programs are generally intended for people who are uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford the cost of a medication. Eligibility requirements and enrollment processes vary between programs.