§ 409.49 Excluded services.

(a) Drugs and biologicals. Drugs and biologicals are excluded from payment under the Medicare home health benefit.

(1) A drug is any chemical compound that may be used on or administered to humans or animals as an aid in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or other condition or for the relief of pain or suffering or to control or improve any physiological pathologic condition.

(2) A biological is any medicinal preparation made from living organisms and their products including, but not limited to, serums, vaccines, antigens, and antitoxins.

(b) Transportation. The transportation of beneficiaries, whether to receive covered care or for other purposes, is excluded from home health coverage. Costs of transportation of equipment, materials, supplies, or staff may be allowable as administrative costs, but no separate payment is made for them.