NHIA responds to OIG report on infusion payments

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A recent Office of Inspector General report on payment for Part B DME infusion drugs is far too narrow to be the basis for new policy, according to the National Home Infusion Association. The OIG's report recommends that CMS seek a legislative change that would require payments for DME infusion drugs to be based on average sales prices (ASPs), average wholesales prices from 2003. The NHIA argues, however, that Congress should “fix” the payment issue by passing the Medicare Home Infusion Site of Care Act, a bill that would require CMS to pay for home infusion services and related supplies under Medicare Part B. The NHIA also took issue with the OIG's claims that home infusion providers are improperly driving over-utilization of one infusion drug, milrinone lactate. The association says providers fill prescriptions for the drug only at the direction of referring physicians.