NATIONAL PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION

MEDICARE COVERAGE OF SELF-ADMINISTERED DRUGS

BACKGROUND: In general, Medicare provides coverage for prescription drugs that are not usually self-administered by the patient. However, in recent years, there has been considerable debate regarding the intent of Congress when this benefit was implemented. In 2000, Congress included a provision in the Beneficiary Improvement and Protection Act (BIPA) that was intended to clarify federal policy regarding Medicare coverage for drugs that are not usually self-administered. Passage of this important provision was the culmination of many years of effort by NPAF and other patient advocacy organizations. NPAF has conducted meetings with officials of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and sent correspondence to the agency and Congressional leaders to express our position CMS should instruct fiscal intermediaries and carriers to immediately begin payment based upon Congressional intent. (For additional information, please see the November/December issue of NPAF Washington Update).

CURRENT STATUS: NPAF has maintained constant contact with officials of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services to communicate our views on this important issue. It is our understanding that a final decision will be made by the end of February.•

NPAF ANNOUNCES 2002 STATE LOBBY DAYS

The National Patient Advocate Foundation has announced the first of a series of dates for advocates to participate in legislative initiatives in their state capital. NPAF will use these opportunities to bring our message of access to quality health care to lawmakers at the state level. This includes a nation-wide effort to encourage state legislatures to enact a Resolution to encourage the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to pass the Medicare Oral Cancer Drug Coverage Act (Please see related article in this issue). In addition, NPAF will identify legislation that has been introduced at the state level that meets our public policy objectives, and NPAF will work to secure passage of these important bills. The preliminary 2002 schedule for State Lobby Days is as follows:

As other dates are scheduled, they will be posted on the NPAF website on the State Activities page. To participate in your State Lobby Day, please contact Chelsey Kidd, NPAF National Advocates Director, at chelseyk@patientadvocate.org or call her at (804) 739-0703.

With the tremendous success NPAF achieved in Washington during Patient Congress III, it is essential that we also mobilize at the state level on behalf of
patients throughout our country.•

NPAF Washington Update is prepared by the NPAF Policy Department staff and our policy counsel at Shaw Pittman LLP. For additional information, contact NPAF at (757) 873-0438 or visit our website at www.npaf.org.