Government

ASCO asks Medicare to drop anemia drug limits

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 17, 2007

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The American Society of Clinical Oncology officially asked federal officials to lift Medicare's recently finalized restrictions on the coverage of anemia drugs in cancer patients. In a written request, ASCO said the new rules on the anemia drugs epoetin and darbepoetin restrict physicians' ability to give their cancer patients the best treatment possible. Medicare will continue covering the medications for patients whose anemia is caused by chemotherapy, but only under strict conditions, such as when a patient's hemoglobin levels go below 10g/dL.

In recent months, safety concerns with the drugs, which have been linked to heart attacks and strokes in some patients, have prompted the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to try to rein in potential overuse by physicians.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/09/17/gvbf0917.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn