CMS Offers Guidance in Billing Medicare for COVID-19 Antibody Treatment

Healthcare Finance News reports that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted updates to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and an infographic focusing on coverage and payment for monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. The FAQs include general payment and billing guidance on lab testing, hospital services, and inpatient prospective payment system payments, as well as queries on different setting types. The infographic highlights facts about expected Medicare payment to providers and information on how Medicare beneficiaries can get COVID-19 treatments with no cost-sharing during the public health crisis. The guidance is intended to resolve any questions so that hospitals and physicians can correctly bill Medicare for administering the antibody treatment. CMS on Nov. 10 announced that it would cover monoclonal antibody therapies for free. This covers a broad range of providers and suppliers — including freestanding and hospital-based infusion centers, home health agencies, nursing communities, and entities that contract with them — to administer treatment in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration's Emergency Use Authorization.