How does CMS reimburse for drugs administered when part of the vial is discarded?
CMS encourages physicians to schedule patients in such a way that they can use drugs most efficiently. However, if a physician must discarded the remainder of a vial or other package after administering it to a Medicare patient, the program covers the amount of the drug discarded along with the amount administered. This coverage applies only to single-use vials Multi-use vials are not subject to payment for discarded amounts of drug. Source: Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 17, section 40 – Discarded Drugs and Biologics. Providers should document the amount of drug administered, the amount that was discarded and the reason it was discarded.
