Knowledge Base Article

MMP initially ran this article September 12, 2018, click here to read the original article. Since then CMS posted a correction to the 2019 IPPS Final Rule on October 3rd. This correction included the following important update to inpatient cases involving the drug VABOMERE™ which is available for a new technology add-on payment.

Notice in 2019 IPPS Final Rule Correction published in the Federal Register October 3, 2018:

“On page 41311, we made a typographical error in describing which National Drug Code (NDC) will be used to identify cases involving VABOMERE™ that are eligible for new technology add-on payments in FY 2019. Specifically, we are correcting the NDC code of 65293–0009–01, which erroneously was missing an extra digit. In addition, we were made aware after the final rule that NDC 70842–0120–01 can also be used to identify cases of VABOMERETM. Therefore, cases involving the use of VABOMERE™ that are eligible for new technology add-on payments in FY 2019 will be identified with either of the following NDCs: 65293–0009–01 and 70842–0120–01.”

New Technology

Melinta Therapeutics, Inc.’s application for new technology add-on payments for VABOMERE™ for FY 2019 was approved by CMS. The maximum new technology add-on payment for cases involving the use of VABOMERE™ for FY 2019 is $5,544.

What is VABOMERE™ (Meropenem-vaborbactam)?

VABOMERE™ is a combination product containing meropenem and vaborbactam. This drug is indicated for treating adult patients diagnosed with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis caused by the following susceptible microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae species complex.

Issue

There is no unique ICD-10-PCS procedure code for VABOMERE™ for FY 2019 leaving hospitals with no way to uniquely identify the use of VABOMERE™ on an inpatient claim.

How to identify the use of VABOMERE™ on an Inpatient Claim

CMS revised their policy to allow the use of an alternative code set to identify an oral medication when there is no inpatient procedure code for purposes of new technology add-on payments in the FY 2013 IPPS Final Rule. Specifically, they adopted the National Drug Code (NDC) as an alternative code set to identify the use of DIFICID™ effective for discharges on or after October 1, 2012.

While VABOMERE™ is administered by IV infusion and not orally, CMS acknowledges that “it is the first approved new technology aside from an oral drug with no uniquely assigned inpatient procedure code” and believes for purposes of identifying the use of VABOMERE™ this is a similar circumstance to the use of DIFICID™.

For FY 2019, cases eligible for the FY 2019 new technology add-on payments will be identified by the NDC code 65293-0009-01 (VABOMERE™ Meropenem-Vaborbactam Vial) or NDC code 70842-0120-01. Providers must code the NDC in data element LIN03 of the 837i Health Care Claim Institutional form in order to receive the new technology add-on payment for procedures involving the use of VABOMERE™.”

Who Needs to Know this Information?

Your hospital Pharmacy should be made aware of this information so they can collaborate with your Billing Office to ensure you receive the add-on payment for eligible claims.

Resources

Billing guidance can be found on page 49837 of the October 3, 2018 Final Rule Correction Notice published in the Federal Register which can be accessed from the CMS FY 2019 IPPS Final Rule Homepage at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/FY2019-IPPS-Final-Rule-Home-Page.html.

Additional information about VABOMERE™ can be found on the Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. website at http://www.vabomere.com/.