Medicare maintains Kcentra’s add-on pay status

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will continue to pay an additional amount for a reversal agent to warfarin for in-hospital treatments through Sept. 15, 2015.

CSL Behring, which markets the non-activated 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate Kcentra, announced that CMS extended Kcentra’s new technology add-on payment for urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin. The payment designation allows CMS to reimburse above the Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups (MS-DRGs) for eligible beneficiaries who need an urgent procedure or surgery.

Physicians prescribe warfarin to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. It also may be used as a blood thinner in patients at risk of venous thromboembolism. Plasma is the only other product approved to reverse warfarin anticoagulation in the U.S.

The FDA approved Kcentra in 2013 and the drug received a new technology add-on payment designation on Oct. 1, 2013. According to CLS Behring, CMS will continue to reimburse hospitals an additional amount for Kcentra, up to $1,587.50.