
Answer: This depends on the components of the compounded medication. A compounded prescription drug product may be covered if it contains at least one FDA approved drug component, although reimbursement is limited to the compounding fees and FDA approved component (s) only.
Full Answer
Are compounded drugs covered by Medicare?
Compounded drugs are customized medications that may be necessary for patients whose medical needs cannot be met by commercially available drugs. Medicare Part D sponsors cover these drugs under certain circumstances. However, this explosive growth raises fraud, waste, and abuse concerns about
Are compounded topical drugs covered under Part D?
CMS should reiterate that, in order to be covered by Part D, at least one of the ingredients must meet the definition of a Part D covered drug and none of the ingredients in a compounded drug may be covered under Part B. CMS should also reiterate that Part D does not pay for bulk powders. Conduct additional analysis on compounded topical drugs
How can CMS improve coverage of compounded topical drugs?
To do this, CMS should clarify that sponsors have flexibility in their coverage of compounded topical drugs and use of utilization management tools, such as prior authorization and quantity limits, for these drugs. This will also help sponsors limit fraud, waste, and abuse for compounded topical drugs and protect beneficiaries ’ safety.
What do CMS and Part D Sponsors need to know about compounded drugs?
In addition, CMS and Part D sponsors need to more effectively prevent fraud, waste, and abuse related to compounded topical drugs, while also ensuring access to needed drugs. We recommend that CMS:

Does Medicare cover compounded medicines?
Although certain compounded drugs can be eligible for coverage under Medicare Part B, Medicare does not pay for compounded drugs when the Food and Drug Administration determines that an entity is producing compounded drugs in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).
What medications can be compounded?
Following are some famous compound medicine examples:Capsules.Injectables.Syrups.Creams.Serums.Ointments.Supplements.Gels.
How do you bill compound drugs to Medicare?
When billing for a compounded drug, the information must be put into item 19 of the paper claim form or the electronic equivalent. Providers should indicate the drug is compounded and include the drug name and total dosage given for each drug.
What are compounding products?
Drug compounding is often regarded as the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient. Compounding includes the combining of two or more drugs. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.
What are the most commonly compounded drug products?
Professional pharmacy students assigned to community pharmacy and hospital clinical sites were asked to collect the following data at their respective rotation sites: a list of the most commonly prescribed extemporaneously compounded products to include: drug indication, generic name, dosage form, stability dating, ...
Does insurance cover compound medications?
The good news is a number of insurance companies have plans that will cover compounded medications. They still require the pharmacy to be in network. They may still cover an out of network pharmacy and simply require you to pay a bit more.
What is the KD modifier?
KD modifier was created by Medicare. Any “Drug or biological substance infused through a DME (Durable Medical Equipment's),” Since the infusion of medications take place through an implantable pump (External Pump), then we should append modifier KD to the HCPCS code for that drug/biological substance.
What is a JW modifier used for?
The JW modifier is a Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II modifier used on a Medicare Part B drug claim to report the amount of drug or biological (hereafter referred to as drug) that is discarded and eligible for payment under the discarded drug policy.
Do compounded drugs have NDC numbers?
Compounded drug preparations do not have a National Drug Code (NDC), therefore specific HCPCS codes cannot be used, and these drugs are coded as unclassified.
What are the types of compounding in pharmacy?
Compounding pharmacies can make two types of compounds: sterile and non-sterile. Some pharmacies specialize in one type of compounding, whereas others may offer services for both. Sterile compounds include dosage forms like injections, eye drops, and infusions.
What are the requirements for compounding?
Explanation. A compound requirement is a requirement that contains two or more statements, each of which is a distinct requirement with its own individual verification path. Also, if a requirement contains no clause but includes two or more imperatives, it is considered as a compound requirement.
Does Goodrx cover compounds?
The Company provides access to a network of certified pharmacies that provide specialized and compounded medications.
General Information
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
Article Guidance
Effective May 7, 2015, Novitas Solutions will reimburse compounded drugs used in an implantable infusion pump based on a fee schedule.
Bill Type Codes
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Revenue Codes
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.
What are compounded medications used for?
Compounded medications can be used for many different purposes, but are more frequently prescribed for pain, thyroid- or hormone-related conditions, and skin problems.
Who can use a compounded medication?
Anyone can be prescribed a compounded medication. These types of drugs can be created for all age groups, ranging from newborns to older adults. Because compounded medications are not one-size-fits-all, they can be tailored to your exact needs.
How are compounded medications different from other medications?
Unlike brand or generic medications that are regularly made by pharmaceutical companies, compounded medications aren’t commercially available. This means that they aren’t made by a pharmaceutical company and therefore, don’t have a trade or brand name like the typical prescription you would fill at your local pharmacy.
Are there any disadvantages to using compounded medications?
Compounded medications can be expensive! Even if you have insurance, some may not be covered—or the compounding pharmacy may not take insurance.
Can I fill a prescription for a compounded medication at my local retail pharmacy?
Maybe. It will depend on the type of compound you’ve been prescribed, and which pharmacy you use. Some regular retail pharmacies do compounds all the time, while others aren’t as experienced or may lack the proper equipment or raw ingredients to make the medication formulation.
