What drugs are included in the composite rate?
Certain drugs used in the dialysis procedure are covered under the facility’s composite rate and may not be billed separately. Drugs that are used as a substitute for any of these items or are used to accomplish the same effect are also included in the composite rate. The administration of these items (both staff time and supplies) is covered under the composite rate and may not be billed separately. Self-administered items are not covered under the Medicare program with the exception of EPO and Darbepoetin Alfa (Aranesp). Listed below are the drugs included in the composite rate: Heparin Mannitol Glucose Antiarrythmics Saline Antihypertensives Protamine Pressor drugs Antihistamines Local Anesthetics Heparin antidotes Dextrose Apresoline(hydralazine) Benaryl Inderal Dopamine Hydralazine Levophed Insulin Lanoxin Verapamil Lidocaine Solu-cortef Antibiotics (when used at home by a patient to treat an infection of the catheter site or peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis) The ad
