 Quote:
Originally Posted by haha
This one I do not understand, as Medicare Part B does not concern itself with drugs.
Ha
|
I checked, and I quoted this correctly.
After some googling to see if the article might have had a typo, I came to find out that Part B can cover certain meds if administered in a medical care institution. A few more links and I came across this nugget in a newsletter written by a law firm that gives advise to nursing homes: Holland & Knight - White Collar Defense Alert - April 15, 2009 - Nursing Homes: Where Will Federal Law Enforcement Focus its Attention in 2009? Are You Prepared?
Nursing Home Residents Aged 65 or Older Who Received Antipsychotic Drugs
The [HHS Department] OIG will review the extent to which nursing home residents aged 65 or older received selected antipsychotic drugs in the absence of conditions approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Social Security Act requires SNFs to respect certain rights of patients, including the right to be free from chemical restraints administered for discipline or convenience. The regulations define safeguards to protect nursing home residents from being prescribed unnecessary drugs. The OIG will examine Medicare Part D and Part B program reimbursements for selected antipsychotic drugs received by elderly nursing home residents and the extent to which these drugs were prescribed and paid for in accordance with federal regulations.
Putting two and two together, it would appear that the feds suspect that some nursing home operators / doctors are running up the bill to Uncle Sam by diagnosing that grandma needs some dope to make it through the day at Happy Acres.
Here's a story about one of the antipsychotic drugs mentioned in the article: Eli Lilly Owes $1.4B Over "Off Label" Use - CBS News
Thank you, Ha, for keeping me on my toes. You're my favorite proofreader. 
|