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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

NCPA gives heads-up on proposed Part D changes

NCPA gives heads-up on proposed Part D changes

The National Community Pharmacists Association has given a rundown of what it described as a “wide-ranging” 228-page call letter by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concerning proposed revisions to Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in 2017. In a blog post this week, NCPA outlined some of the key changes that community

More work needed on preferred pharmacy access

More work needed on preferred pharmacy access

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Though the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has improved Medicare Part D patient access to preferred pharmacies, more work needs to be done, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. NCPA on Friday applauded a statement released by CMS that the agency’s efforts to boost access to preferred pharmacies across

Rx takes hard look at long-awaited Medicaid AMP rule

Rx takes hard look at long-awaited Medicaid AMP rule

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was working with member companies at presstime to review the final rule on Medicaid prescription reimbursements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says the 658-page rule — which takes effect April 1 after a comment period — establishes a regulatory definition for average

Walgreens scales back on Theranos

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has advised Theranos Inc. that it must stop sending clinical lab tests provided through Theranos Wellness Centers at Walgreens to the Theranos lab in Newark, Calif. The drug chain also said that it is suspending Theranos Inc. laboratory testing at its Palo Alto, Calif., store in the aftermath of a

AMP issue illustrates the pressure on Rx

AMP issue illustrates the pressure on Rx

After years of political and legal wrangling, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule on Covered Outpatient Drugs, which governs reimbursement to retail pharmacies for generic medications dispensed under Medicaid. The history of the regulation goes all the way back to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), which

Right on top of AMP issue

Right on top of AMP issue

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is on top of it, says president and CEO Steve Anderson. Anderson is talking, of course, about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issuance last week of the final rule for Covered Outpatient Drugs, which augurs key changes for Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement for generic drugs based on

Industry eyes CMS final rule for Rx reimbursement

Industry eyes CMS final rule for Rx reimbursement

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the Covered Outpatient Drugs final rule with comment, which the National Association of Chain Drug Stores said includes “significant changes” to Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement for generic drugs based on the average manufacturer price (AMP) model. Released on Thursday and due to be published

Lawmakers see pharmacists as pillar of MTM

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of congressional representatives is urging that retail pharmacists play a part in a new initiative designed to improve the use of medication therapy management in ­Medicare. Forty-four members of the House of Representatives — 24 Republicans and 20 Democrats — signed a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services

Lawmakers see pharmacists as linchpin for MTM

Lawmakers see pharmacists as linchpin for MTM

ARLINGTON, Va. — A bipartisan coalition of congressmen is urging the participation of retail pharmacists in a new initiative to improve the use of medication therapy management (MTM) in Medicare. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores said Wednesday that 44 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter to Secretary of Health

Publix makes pitch for Part D customers

Publix makes pitch for Part D customers

With many seniors moving to new Medicare Part D coverage for next year, Publix Super Markets is urging them to switch their prescriptions to its pharmacies. An online video posted this week by the food and drug chain notes that Publix Pharmacy is a preferred pharmacy in a number of insurance plans, so Part D recipients could save more on

Health care spending outpaces economy

Health care spending outpaces economy

WASHINGTON — Health care spending in the United States last year exceeded $3 trillion as five years of slow growth was replaced by the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid and private health insurance coverage. Prescription drug prices accelerated as well. Health care spending grew faster than the economy in 2014, and the federal share

House committee looks at MTM

House committee looks at MTM

WASHINGTON — Jesse McCullough, Rite Aid Corp.’s director of field clinical services, highlighted the role of medication therapy management (MTM) in improving the health of seniors in testimony to a House subcommittee. The Health Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce was reviewing a plan by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

MTM gets a big lift from new CMS plan

WASHINGTON — A pilot program for an enhanced medication therapy management model for Medicare Part D has been welcomed by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. While NACDS is reviewing with member companies the 2017 launch by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), association president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said

NACDS hails CMS effort to drive MTM

NACDS hails CMS effort to drive MTM

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is applauding a move by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to boost Medicare Part D patients’ participation in medication therapy management (MTM) programs. CMS this week unveiled the Part D Enhanced Medication Therapy Management model, designed to test strategies to improve medication

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