Outpatient IV insulin
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
CMS releases decision memo Dec. 23 ordering national non-coverage of outpatient intravenous insulin treatments, writing that the evidence does not support it as a reasonable and necessary service for diabetic Medicare patients. CMS opened a coverage analysis on the intermittent adjunct therapy last March (1"The Gray Sheet" March 30, 2009). Supporters claim the treatment can help prevent the onset of debilitating conditions and delay the need for more expensive therapies, such as dialysis (2"The Gray Sheet" May 4, 2009)