Coverage of Colorectal Anti-Cancer Drugs Included in Clinical Trials
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cover the use of oxaliplatin (Eloxatin™), irinotecan (Camptosar®), cetuximab (Erbitux™), or bevacizumab (Avastin™) in clinical trials identified by CMS and sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The clinical trials for which the off-label use of these drugs are covered appear in Appendix A in the NCD Manual, section 110.17 on the following CMS Web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage/download/id90b.pdf. This decision does not modify existing requirements for coverage of these and other anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents for FDA-approved indications or for indications listed in an approved compendium. This decision also does not change existing coverage for any off-label uses of these drugs provided outside the clinical trials identified. Contractors shall continue to make local coverage determinations for medically accepted uses of off-label indications based on guidance provided by the Secretary.
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: June 17, 2005
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