# Understanding the RAISE Act

Right now, Medicare's prescription drug program doesn't cover most vitamins and mineral supplements—they're on a list of excluded drugs. The RAISE Act makes one specific exception to that rule: it allows Medicare to cover prescription oral vitamins and minerals that are used to treat iron deficiency anemia in people with chronic kidney disease.

To understand why this matters, you need to know that people with chronic kidney disease often develop anemia (low red blood cell count) because their kidneys don't produce enough of a hormone that helps create red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia is a particular problem for these patients, and doctors sometimes prescribe special iron supplements to help treat it. Currently, Medicare won't pay for these prescription iron products, even though they're medically necessary for this specific condition. Patients have to pay out of pocket, which can be expensive and might prevent some people from getting the treatment they need.

This bill would change that by allowing Medicare to cover these prescription iron supplements for kidney disease patients. The practical effect is that seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare who have chronic kidney disease and iron deficiency anemia would no longer have to pay the full cost of these medications themselves—Medicare would help cover the expense. It's a narrow change that targets one specific medical need, but for the people affected by it, it could make an important treatment more affordable and accessible.

RAISE Act

O'Halleran, Tom

Renal Anemia Innovation Support and Expansion Act or the RAISE Act This bill allows coverage of prescription vitamin and mineral products under the Medicare prescription drug benefit if the products are administered orally and are used to treat iron deficiency anemia in individuals who have chronic kidney disease.