Drugs and Biologicals

80.1 - Drugs and Biologicals (Rev. 1, 10-01-03) A3-3125.A, HHA-230.A Drugs and biologicals are excluded from payment under the Medicare home health benefit. A drug is any chemical compound that may be used on or administered to humans or animals as an aid in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention of disease or other condition, for the relief of pain or suffering, or to control or improve any physiological pathologic condition. A biological is any medicinal preparation made from living organisms and their products including, but not limited to, serums, vaccines, antigens, and antitoxins. The one drug exception is the osteoporosis drug, which is part of the home health benefit, and home health agencies may provide services such as vaccines outside the home health benefit.