WASHINGTON -- Congress is taking a tough look at the use of human growth hormone for a wide variety of conditions, which is prompting some concern that payers may react by limiting reimbursement for legitimate purposes.

Insurers are already reluctant to cover scientifically validated uses of HGH, Dr. Richard Hellman, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, said in an interview. The drug can cost $10,000-$20,000 a year. The continuing use for purposes that have little-to-no evidence of safety and effectiveness may ultimately endanger patients who genuinely need HGH, said Dr. Hellman, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Missouri, ...