Personalized Medicine - Frequently Asked Questions and What to Expect
CONTACT US
FOR MORE INFORMATION
At UK HealthCare, we're here for you from your first call through your treatment journey. Here's a practical overview of what happens when you contact our team:
- Reach out. Call us or submit the online form. A care coordinator will gather basic information and connect you to the right team.
- Records & review. We collect prior records and test results. Your case is reviewed by the relevant specialists before the first visit.
- First visit. A comprehensive evaluation, often with multiple specialists in one visit. We discuss diagnosis, treatment options, and answer your questions.
-
Treatment and follow-up. Your team creates a treatment plan and coordinates therapies, insurance approvals, and follow-up — including travel and lodging help if needed.
Find answers to frequently asked questions from patients and caregivers below.
Do I need a referral?
It depends on your insurance. Many plans require a referral from your primary care provider. If you're unsure, call 859-323-2355 and we can help you figure out what your plan requires before the first visit.
I live far from Lexington. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Many of our patients travel from across Kentucky and surrounding states. We coordinate multi-specialist visits on the same day when possible. Our social work team can help with lodging, travel grants and logistics.
I already have a specialist. Can I still come here?
Yes. We can serve as your primary team or as a second opinion and work in partnership with your existing providers. For specialized treatments like gene therapy that require a certified center, we coordinate closely with referring physicians.
How do I know if I'm eligible for gene therapy or CAR-T?
Eligibility depends on the specific therapy, your diagnosis, genetic confirmation, age and other clinical factors. Our team evaluates each patient individually. In many cases, genetic testing is the first step, and we can arrange that if it hasn't been done.
Will insurance cover gene therapy or CAR-T?
These are among the most expensive treatments available, but most are covered by commercial insurance and Medicaid when medically indicated. Our specialty pharmacy team handles prior authorizations, appeals and manufacturer assistance programs. You won't navigate this alone.
What does URAC rare disease certification mean?
UK Specialty Pharmacy was the first in the nation to earn this certification, which means our pharmacists meet rigorous standards for managing complex, high-cost therapies including gene therapies. It reflects specialized training, protocols and quality measures specific to rare disease care.