Medicare Program; Medicare Coverage of Prescription Drugs Used in Immunosuppressive Therapy

This final rule amends the regulations to provide Medicare coverage for prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy furnished to an individual who receives an organ transplant for which Medicare payment is made. This rule reflects the enactment of section 1861(s)(2)(J) of the Social Security Act that provides Medicare coverage for prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy for a period of up to 1 year from the date of discharge from an inpatient hospital stay during which the Medicare-covered organ or tissue transplant was performed. This final rule also implements section 13565 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-66) and section 160 of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994 (Public Law 103-432) that, beginning January 1, 1995, expand Medicare coverage for prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy from 1 year to a phased-in period of 3 years from the date of discharge from a hospital stay during which the Medicare-covered organ or tissue transplant was performed.