Medicare will now cover chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, or CAR T-cell, therapy, a treatment that leverages a person's immune cells to fight certain cancers.
The CMS said Medicare will cover the gene therapy nationwide for U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications when provided at healthcare facilities enrolled in the FDA risk evaluation and mitigation strategies. It will also approve the therapy for off-label uses recommended by the CMS-approved compendia.
"Today's coverage decision provides consistent and predictable patient access nationwide," CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement. "CMS will work closely with our sister agencies to monitor outcomes for Medicare patients receiving this innovative therapy going forward."
The CMS proposed nationwide coverage of CAR T-cell therapy in February. The decision promises to be a financial boon to healthcare providers.
