Medicare, under Part A, pays a hospice a lump sum for each day a patient is receiving care at the facility. That money is supposed to cover any medications used to ease pain or help someone’s terminal illness.
However, Part D was also paying for some of these prescription drugs, the report found.
In 2016, the OIG estimates that Part D paid $160.8 million for drugs that should have been paid for under the Medicare Part A hospice benefit.
“CMS must do more to avoid paying twice for the same drugs. As we have previously recommended, CMS should work directly with hospices to ensure that they are providing drugs covered under the hospice benefit,” the OIG recommended.
More articles on pharmacy:
FDA approves AbbVie’s $59K rheumatoid arthritis drug
Teva launches generic version of EpiPen for kids
American Regent boosted price of essential hospital product by 1,300%
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
