Is Thyrogen available through the Medicare Part B Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) in 2009?
On September 10, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the postponement of the 2009 CAP program. Physicians enrolled in the CAP program for 2008 will be able to obtain Medicare Part B CAP covered drugs, including Thyrogen through the approved CAP vendor through December 31, 2008. Beginning January 1, 2009, physicians must obtain and bill for Part B CAP covered drugs, including Thyrogen through the ASP process, and physicians will also be responsible for collecting applicable deductible and co-insurance from Medicare beneficiaries. In early 2008, CMS accepted bids for vendor contracts for the 2009-2011 CAP program. While CMS received several qualified bids, contractual issues with the successful bidders resulted in CMS postponing the 2009 Program. As a result, CAP physician election for participation in the CAP in 2009 was not held, and CAP drugs will not be available from an approved Cap vendor for dates of service after December 31, 2008.
