WASHINGTON--Bipartisan legislation introduced June 5 by Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., would extend coverage for home infusion services to Medicare beneficiaries, a benefit currently available to most patients in the private sector.

The "Home Infusion Therapy Medicare Coverage Act of 2007" (H.R. 2567) would give home infusion services and supplies coverage under Part B, with drugs covered under Part D. The measure is a revised version of a bill co-sponsored by Engel last year that would have consolidated both the drugs and services under Part B (see HomeCare Monday, July 24, 2006).

When Congress passed the Medicare Modernization Act in 2003, lawmakers added coverage for home infusion drugs including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungal drugs, which are prescribed for patients with serious infections such as bone and skin infections, heart infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

"Congress correctly understood what many private payers have realized for decades--that a home infusion therapy benefit under Medicare would reduce hospital stays and decrease costs," said Donald M. Poretz, MD, president-elect of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

But IDSA said CMS interpreted the law to cover only the drugs but not the services and supplies associated with home infusion. "As a result, my Medicare patients must come to my office, stay in the hospital or live in a nursing home to receive antimicrobial infusion services," said Poertz, whose organization is urging support for the new bill.

The National Home Infusion Association also hailed the bill's introduction, saying that H.R. 2567 "would close a glaring and unintended gap in Medicare drug coverage that is affecting the sickest, most vulnerable patients." The group also pointed to the efficiencies of home infusion. It costs less, produces better results and does not carry the risk of hospital-acquired infections, NHIA said.

"For decades, commercial health plans have treated these individuals successfully and in a cost-effective manner by providing coverage for infusion therapies administered in the patient's home," Engel said, adding that professional services, supplies and equipment "are integral components of this therapy."

Said Engel, "Medicare is virtually the only payer in the country where home infusion therapy is not adequately covered. Our seniors deserve better."

Co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Kay Granger, R-Texas; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc.; Chip Pickering, R-Miss.; Randy Kuhl, R-N.Y.; and John Tierney, D-Mass. The bill was referred to the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees.

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