FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about AlphaNet, Inc.
Q: What is AlphaNet?
A: AlphaNet is an innovative not-for-profit health management company dedicated to improving the lives of persons with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). It was founded by Alphas to serve Alphas. We are “Alphas Serving Alphas.”
Q: What is an AlphaNet Patient Services Coordinator?
A: An AlphaNet Coordinator is your personal AlphaNet staff member. Each AlphaNet Coordinator is a person with Alpha-1 employed by AlphaNet to serve you.
Q: How do I get assigned to an AlphaNet Patient Services Coordinator?
A: AlphaNet employs regional AlphaNet Coordinators who are assigned to a specific geographical region of the country. You will be assigned to the Coordinator who covers the area in which you live at the time that AlphaNet receives a request to provide service.
Q: What does the AlphaNet Patient Services Cordinator actually do for me?
A: Your Coordinator will contact you by phone a minimum of once a month. They will assist you with issues related to your augmentation therapy, such as ordering infusion supplies, sorting through insurance issues, and helping to coordinate services provided by pharmacies, drug manufacturers, infusion centers and/or home health agencies. They will inform you of opportunities to participate in research activities, educational conferences, support groups and other activities within the Alpha-1 community. Your Coordinator will help you educate yourself about Alpha-1 by utilizing AlphaNet’s comprehensive
patient guide to Alpha-1 called The Big Fat Reference Guide. Perhaps most importantly, because your Coordinator is also an Alpha, he or she will understand and will be there to offer
support and understanding, or to just listen.
Q: Is AlphaNet different than Prolastin Direct?
A: Yes. Prolastin Direct is a program for the distribution of Prolastin® to patients with Alpha-1-related lung disease. It is comprised of three separate and distinct companies each serving different functions. First is Talecris Biotherapeutics, the manufacturer of Prolastin® and the overall sponsor of the Prolastin Direct program. Unlike other medications, once Prolastin® is manufactured, it is shipped directly to you
through a specialty pharmacy, Centric Health Resources. Centric Health Resources processes your prescription, gets authorization from your insurance company, arranges infusion services, if required, and then ships Prolastin® to you or your infusion agency. With your consent, AlphaNet provides health management services by assigning an AlphaNet Coordinator who works directly with you to coordinate the services of the other two companies, as well as provide you with many other important services.
Q: I’m a Zemaira® patient. Do I get services from AlphaNet?
A: Yes, you can. CSL Behring is the manufacturer of Zemaira®. CSL has an agreement with AlphaNet to provide health management services to Alphas on Zemaira® who agree to receive such services. When a Zemaira® patient consents to receive AlphaNet support, AlphaNet is notified and an AlphaNet Coordinator dedicated to serving Alphas on Zemaira® is assigned to that person.
Q: Do I have to do anything to receive services from AlphaNet?
A: All you need to do to receive the services of AlphaNet is to sign and return the consent form granting permission to provide AlphaNet your contact information. Because of their commitment to the Alpha community, Talecris Biotherapeutics, the manufacturer of Prolastin®, and CSL Behring, the manufacturer of Zemaira®, have contracted with AlphaNet, to provide you with our services. Once you have signed your consent to be followed by AlphaNet, you are automatically assigned to the appropriate
Coordinator. Within a short period of time, that Coordinator will call you to introduce himself or herself and welcome you to AlphaNet.
Q: Do I have to pay for AlphaNet’s services?
A: No. Thanks to the commitment of Talecris Biotherapeutics and CSL Behring, neither you nor your insurance company pay for AlphaNet services.
Q: What is the relationship between AlphaNet and the Alpha-1 Foundation?
A: AlphaNet and the Alpha-1 Foundation were founded by the same three individuals with Alpha-1. Both entities are not-for-profit organizations dedicated to serving the Alpha-1 community. The Alpha-1 Foundation is dedicated to providing the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection and a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). AlphaNet was established to provide health maintenance and support services to the Alpha-1 community. AlphaNet realizes revenue through the provision of health management services, clinical research management activities and other specialized services. AlphaNet donates funds to the Alpha-1 Foundation and other organizations. AlphaNet is the largest contributor to the Foundation and has donated over $27 million dollars since its founding.
Q: What is the relationship between AlphaNet and the Alpha-1 Association?
A: The Alpha-1 Association is a member-based not-for-profit organization founded in 1991 to identify those affected by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and to improve the quality of their lives through support, education, advocacy and research. AlphaNet supports the activities of the Alpha-1 Association by providing educational grants, support services and speakers for its many programs around the country. AlphaNet has donated more than $1.7 Million to the Association.