ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A new drug pricing rule, proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and released Monday, Nov. 26, considers policies theNational Community Pharmacy Association and CMS say will lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter and lead to a more competitive and efficient part D program. NCPA advocated aggressively
WASHINGTON — Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final Medicare Part D Rule and Part D Call Letter for calendar year 2019, taking a first step forward in an effort to expand access to more affordable drugs for seniors. Included in the rule are reforms that will seek
BETHESDA, Md. — Growth in prescription drug expenditures tailed off despite an overall gain in 2016 U.S. health care spending, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Last year, U.S. health care spending totaled $3.3 trillion, up 4.3%, compared with growth of 5.8% in 2015 and 5.1% in 2014, according to a
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has joined the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) in suing Washington state over a rule they say would reimburse pharmacies for less than the cost of dispensing Medicaid prescriptions. The plaintiffs last month filed an emergency motion in Superior
WASHINGTON — Medicare and Medicaid recently passed the half-century mark, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores envisions an enhanced role for pharmacists in both programs, particularly Medicaid. Congress, too, is looking for opportunities to strengthen and sustain Medicaid. Last month the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health held a hearing titled “Medicaid
WASHINGTON — Some 13% of people who enrolled in health insurance plans this year under the Affordable Care Act have lost coverage, many because they failed to pay their share of premiums, the Obama administration reported. The number of people on the rolls as of March 31 stood at 10.2 million, down from the 11.7
WASHINGTON — Preferred pharmacies for Medicare Part D drug plans are more accessible in suburbs and rural areas than in cities, a study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has found. “While we appreciate the importance of providing lower costs to beneficiaries, these findings reinforce CMS’ concern that plans are offering access
