Discarded drugs: Your carrier now has the final say

Why This Topic Matters

Drug wastage reporting can vary by contractor, so understanding local policy helps billing teams follow the correct claim-reporting and documentation requirements for their Medicare jurisdiction.

Article Sections

1. CMS policy update and local contractor discretion

   Summarizes recent CMS guidance and the shift toward allowing local Medicare contractors to set their own approach. The section focuses on the policy context and the types of local determinations contractors may make.

2. Examples of MAC approaches

   Provides examples of how selected Medicare Administrative Contractors address the topic differently. The section highlights variation in local policy among contractors.

3. Documentation expectations

   Describes the kinds of claim-supporting documentation that may be requested for wasted drugs. The section notes that local requirements can include specific recordkeeping elements.