February 1, 2021 by Jeffrey Woldt
B. Douglas Hoey, DIR fees, Fruth Pharmacy, Lynne Fruth, Medicare Part D, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
February 1, 2021, Opinion
After several years of unsuccessful efforts by pharmacy advocates to persuade members of Congress and the executive branch to put an end to inequities in direct and indirect remuneration under Medicare Part D, the National Community Pharmacists Association is taking the fight to court. NCPA last month filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health
February 18, 2019 by Jeffrey Woldt
2019 NACDS Regional Chain Conference, DIR fees, Mark Panzer, Medicare Part D, NACDS, Steve Anderson
February 18, 2019, Opinion
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was at the top of its game during the Regional Chain Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., earlier this month. Often overshadowed by the association’s larger events, this hidden gem provides attendees with an initial look at the objectives that NACDS and its members will pursue during the course
October 16, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
Jocelyn Konrad, Medicare Part D, Rite Aid
Featured Articles, Leading Headlines, Pharmacy, Retail News
CAMP HILL, Pa. — As the annual Medicare Part D election period gets underway, from now through Dec. 7, 2018, Medicare-eligible customers can visit Rite Aid pharmacies nationwide to take advantage of free resources that help them select the right prescription drug plan (PDP) or update existing coverage for 2019. Patients and caregivers can use
July 13, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
B. Douglas Hoey, Medicare Part D, Morning Consult, National Community Pharmacists Association
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Reducing drug costs borne by seniors due to middlemen and deals in the drug supply chain are Medicare Part D reforms that most strongly curry favor among registered voters, according to a Morning Consult survey commissioned by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). Conducted in late June, the survey results indicate strong support
July 13, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
DIR Reform, Medicare Part D, NACDS, NACDS RxImpact Day, Steven Anderson
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) RxIMPACT grassroots advocacy program has mobilized to support a U.S. Senate initiative urging action by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee reform in Medicare Part D. NACDS RxIMPACT pharmacy advocates are urging Senators to
May 9, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
Medicare Part D, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy
WASHINGTON — Today, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) launched the “Let’s Talk About Medicare” advertising campaign focused on solutions to improve affordability and predictability for seniors in Medicare Part D. Similar to how the “Let’s Talk About Cost” campaign opened up a conversation about costs and prescription drug coverage, this campaign builds on
April 20, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
Alex Azar, direct and indirect remuneration, Medicare Part D, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Steven Anderson
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy
ARLINGTON, Va. — In the growing effort to achieve pro-patient and pro-pharmacy reforms of direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees in Medicare Part D, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores today hailed a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar signed by 50 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and led
April 4, 2018 by Bill Schiffner
Department of Health and Human Services, Mark Merritt, Medicare Part D, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy
WASHINGTON — Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) president and chief executive officer Mark Merritt released the following statement on the Medicare Part D final rule released this week by the Department of Health and Human Services: “Two years ago drugmakers launched a campaign to deflect blame for their high prices onto health plans and pharmacy benefit
February 26, 2018 by Geoff Walden and Chain Drug Review
Affordable Care Act, Avalere, CHRONIC Act, CREATES Act, Daniel Mendelson, federal budget legislation, health care spending, Independent Payment Advisory Board, Medicare Part D, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Stephen Ubl
2018, Issue 02-26-2018, Issues, Leading Headlines, News, Pharmacy, Retail News
WASHINGTON — Health care spending has been beefed up in some areas and reduced in others as a result of the federal budget legislation passed by Congress earlier this month. Chronic care funding was bolstered by the two-year spending plan, which was signed into law by President Trump, while some Affordable Care Act appropriations were
February 9, 2018 by CDR Blog and Chain Drug Review
B. Douglas Hoey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, DIR fees, direct and indirect remuneration fees, independent pharmacy owners, Medicare Part D, National Community Pharmacists Association, NCPA, S. 413 / H.R. 1038
CDR Blog
Suffice it to say, community pharmacies are getting squeezed by retroactive DIR fees. That’s what the results of a survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association said. NCPA reported Friday that, because of retroactive direct and indirect remuneration fees, 84% of independent pharmacy owners polled said they don’t know what their final reimbursement will be at
January 17, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, DIR fees at the point of sale, Medicare Part D, Medicare Part D for 2019, NACDS, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacists Association, NCPA, Steve Anderson
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy, Retail News
WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association have submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as it mulls Medicare Part D prescription drug program changes for the 2019 contract year. NACDS said Wednesday that in its comments to CMS the association expressed support for and provided added input
January 15, 2018 by Chain Drug Review
B. Douglas Hoey, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS-4182-P Medicare Program, community pharmacies, DIR fees, Medicare Part D, National Community Pharmacists Association, NCPA, PBM business model, pharmacy benefit managers
2018, Issue 01-15-2018, Issues, Opinion
WASHINGTON — In recent testimony before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) chief executive officer B. Douglas Hoey said pharmacists can drive better health outcomes and reduce costs, but first pharmacy benefit managers’ problematic business practices must be addressed through legislative and regulatory channels. As an
November 22, 2017 by Bill Schiffner
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, Medicare Part D, NACDS, National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, Steven Anderson
Leading Headlines, Pharmacy, Retail News
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has analyzed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed Medicare Part D changes, and found progress on topics related to advancing e-prescribing and medication therapy management (MTM); further addressing opioid issues in a pro-patient and pro-pharmacy manner; and fostering pharmacy access. CMS’ approaches
October 23, 2017 by Chain Drug Review
Buddy Carter, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, DIR fees, Don Wright, Medicare Part D, NASP, National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, Seema Verma, Sheila Arquette, StopDIRfees.com
2017, Issue 10-23-2017, Issues, Opinion
WASHINGTON — The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) has commended 54 members of the House of Representatives for urging federal agencies to eliminate retroactive Medicare Part D fees charged by big pharmacy benefit managers. The lawmakers sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid