title: Erythropoietin claims monitoring policy: implications of the October 2006 update continuing.
abstract: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a revised erythropoietin claims monitoring policy that governs reimbursement for Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa in patients on dialysis effective October 1, 2006. The new policy reinforces the upper Hb target level of 12.0 g/dL. However, the new provisions also allow increased latitude for making timely dose adjustments in response to the variability in Hb levels that occurs due to changes in patient status.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph Hospital Renal Services, Orange, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Messana
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004282:Documentation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006437:Hemodialysis, Home; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D016134:Organizational Policy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa