Beneficiary Utilization of Albuterol and Levalbuterol
An OIG report on “Beneficiary Utilization of Albuterol and Levalbuterol Under Medicare Part B” examines shifts in physician prescribing patterns that coincided with changes in CMS reimbursement policy. The OIG urges Congress and CMS to consider the impact of new coding and reimbursement decisions on prescribing practices. In particular, the OIG notes that such policies could “limit access to a potentially more effective product” or drive utilization “toward a more expensive product that offers no clinical advantage.” The OIG states that it will continue to monitor drug utilization and payment policies to identify inappropriate Medicare payments.
