The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has decided that since prescription niacin products Niaspan and Niacor are used to treat dyslipidemia and are not appropriate for nutritional supplements because of their dosage, Part D plans can include them in coverage.
On Feb. 3, CMS said the niacin products were prescription vitamins and excluded by law as Part D drugs. In a letter to the agency, NCPA asked that the CMS reconsider this decision. On April 11, CMS changed its mind and said they should not be considered prescription vitamins.
“We do not believe that plans should now be required to add these drugs to their formularies,” CMS said, but they have the option of doing so.