The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has agreed to pay for the Alzheimer's drug Leqembi, putting pressure on the Medicare program to follow suit.
Leqembi, produced by Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Eisai Co. in cooperation with Biogen Inc., was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year....National News
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug Leqembi (lecanemab) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, but patients will have a difficult time accessing the treatment due to Medicare rules and a hefty price tag.
Leqembi, developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Eisai and its stateside partner...
Over 6 million Americans, including 150,000 Arizonans are currently living with Alzheimer's Disease. As the need for treatment grows, groups like the Alzheimer's Association are asking the government to strengthen its commitment to research and accessibility. But a Congressional report suggests the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)...
Last Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a report that reviewed the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund for 2023 and determined that cost-savings from unexpectedly low Medicare Part B spending in 2022 could be recommended to drive premium cuts for Part B coverage next year.
The...
The final coverage decision is designed to provide access to Medicare beneficiaries in the early stages of Alzheimer's while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of Biogen’s Aduhelm. Beneficiaries will have access to the drug once they enroll in an approved FDA or NIH trial designed to better determine whether the drug slows the...
Following approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed last month to cover the Alzheimer’s disease drug Aduhelm only for beneficiaries enrolled in a clinical trial. The proposal has sparked fierce debate among insurance groups, drugmakers, policymakers and the...
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed Tuesday to cover the controversial drug Aduhelm when used as an Alzheimer’s treatment in clinical trials. While debate about the drug’s safety has been intense, CMS believes continued clinical trials will address unanswered questions related to the drug’s adverse side...National News
Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted to delay statutory cuts to Medicare. There were two types of cuts, the first -- 2% -- were delayed until March and relate to Medicare sequestration, which is an automatic reduction of federal spending to enforce a balanced budget. Sequestration of 2% was initially delayed by the Coronavirus Aid,...CMS Rules
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that included changes to the physician fee schedule (PFS) and changes to payments for Medicare Part B. The agency also announced an increase in Part B beneficiary premiums due in part to the authorization of the controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm,...Arizona News
Virtis Health, a national provider dedicated to therapeutic and diagnostic services for patients with complex conditions requiring specialty infusible and injectable medications, has announced the opening of three additional Ambulatory Infusion Centers (AICs) in Arizona. This expansion brings the total number of Virtis Health AICs in...National News
Last week, Aduhelm, a controversial new Alzheimer's drug from drugmaker Biogen, was given accelerated approval from the Food and Drug Administration, meaning that it will need to complete another trial upon public release. Now, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) needs to determine if it will cover the unproven...National News
Last Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved a breakthrough new treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The treatment is the first of its kind in decades but many in the scientific community remain skeptical of the new drug's effectiveness.
Aduhelm -- the brand name of aducanumab -- is designed to eliminate clumps of a toxic...