August 30, 2022
NHIA submitted comments on a CMS proposed rule (CMS-1770-P) that would affect Medicare payments and coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and coding and billing requirements related to the use of single dose containers and drug waste.
While NHIA applauds the continued coverage for pre-exposure prophylaxis to COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies beyond the PHE, the association registered concerns that patients will not have access to mAbs in the home for treatment or post-exposure prophylaxis following the expiration of the emergency use authorization (EUA). NHIA believes this raises equity issues, particularly for Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas and for those without the means to travel to an infusion center. Continuous access to home infusion should be part of the agency’s future pandemic preparedness strategy.
The association also noted that CMS’ proposal to require a separate modifier to be included on all claims for drugs with no discarded amounts would be administratively burdensome, cause confusion when a drug has more than one manufacturer (generic drugs), and may require substantial investments to update billing software systems. Instead of creating an entirely new, unnecessarily burdensome system, NHIA recommends that the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) provide education regarding use of the JW modifier or limit its use to drugs identified for the rebate program.
Last week concluded the 2024 National Home Infusion Association Annual Conference (NHIA 2024), which brings together more than 1,600 home and alternate site infusion professionals for four days of networking, education, and exhibits.
CMS released its annual monitoring report[link] on the Medicare Part B Home Infusion Therapy (HIT) Services benefit showing that both provider participation and beneficiary utilization have declined over the past year.
The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) has developed recommendations for commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage payors to improve patient outcomes and experience, reduce administrative burden, and improve timely access to home infusion services.
