Why doesn the local coverage decision for Aranesp/Darbepoetin include anemia due to End Stage Renal Disease?
CMS addresses coverage of Aranesp on patients with ESRD (both on and not yet on dialysis) in CMS Publication 100-2, The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 11, Section 90: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/102_policy/bp102c11.pdf Each state’s LCD is written to address those indications outside of ESRD use.
