STAT+: Medicare starts process that could limit access to Biogen’s new Alzheimer’s drug
WASHINGTON — Federal officials on Monday announced the agency will start a process that could limit Medicare patients’ access to Biogen’s controversial new Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm — the first signals from the key health program about what will be an enormously consequential decision for Biogen, Medicare, and Alzheimer’s patients.
The process, called a National Coverage Determination analysis, ensures that coverage for the drug is uniform across the country instead of leaving decisions to regional contractors. The tool is rarely used for drugs, and Medicare announced its decision to use it much more quickly than is typical. If Medicare were going to pay for any Alzheimer’s patient’s treatment with Aduhelm, it likely would not need to use the tool.
