New Medicare coverage for COVID-19 antibody treatment can be ‘really helpful’ for nursing homes

The federal government’s decision to allow Medicare coverage of monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19 treatments could be extremely helpful for nursing homes care for symptomatic, positive residents, according to a top expert. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced late Tuesday that coverage for the treatment will be available to beneficiaries who live across a variety of healthcare settings, including nursing homes, at no cost during the public health emergency. 

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy, bamlanivimab, to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.