Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Daily Digest Bulletin

April 21, 2021

On April 16, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bamlanivimab, when administered alone, due to a sustained increase in COVID-19 viral variants in the U.S. that are resistant to this antibody therapy. The FDA determined that the known and potential benefits of bamlanivimab, when administered alone, no longer outweigh the known and potential risks.

Medicare will cover and pay for bamlanivimab, when administered alone, for dates of service from November 10, 2020 – April 16, 2021.

The FDA indicates that alternative monoclonal antibody therapies remain appropriate to treat COVID-19 patients, and health care providers may continue using these authorized therapies when administered together:

  • Casirivimab & imdevimab
  • Bamlanivimab & etesevimab

More Information:

Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion webpage