Medicare Coverage For Home Infusion Therapy?

A new bi-partisan bill pending in Congress would provide Medicare drug coverage for Medicare patients who require ‘infusion therapy’ (specialized medications that are delivered intravenously). The new legislation would enable this to be done in the home.

Currently, Medicare does not cover home infusion therapy because Part D will pay for the drugs themselves, but not the nurses, equipment and supplies necessary to administer the treatment in the home. Says Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), another sponsor, "Our bill would cover home infusion supplies, equipment, and professional services under Part B, thereby making the Part D coverage of infusion drugs meaningful and effective."

"Medicare is virtually the only payer in the country where home infusion therapy is not adequately covered," said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), one of the bill’s sponsors. I intend to fight to secure passage of this bill so that Medicare beneficiaries receive the same level of care given to individuals with private insurance."

Questions about Medicare? Email to info@medicarebenefits.com

Source:

http://www.medicarebenefits.com/what_s_new_in_medicare_infusion.html