AARC Submits Comments on Drug Reimbursement Reductions

September 28, 2004
AARC recently submitted public comments to a proposed regulation that would reduce the payment for inhalation drugs by 89%.

The regulation, issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the federal agency that oversees these health care programs, would go into effect Jan. 1, 2005. The regulation would enact an 89% reduction in the payment for Medicare Part B drugs, including albuterol and other inhalation drugs.

In our comments, the AARC voiced its concern that this drastic reduction in reimbursement will significantly limit or eliminate patient access to these important medications. The AARC commented that the best way to manage the cost of these drugs is to undertake steps to ensure compliance with guidelines, on effective drug management of pulmonary diseases.

The AARC called for CMS to provide an educational fee in conjunction with the drug payment, so that patients can be properly assessed, and educated on their inhalation drugs by health care professionals such as the respiratory therapist.

A complete copy of the AARC’s comments are available in Adobe Reader format.

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