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Medicare Part D

Controversy over DIR under Medicare Part D heats up

Controversy over DIR under Medicare Part D heats up

Direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) is one component of the complex Medicare Part D payment system. In the past several months, the issue of DIR increasingly has become a source of contention between various players in the Part D program. Pharmacies, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and members of Congress have expressed

Congress reintroduces DIR fee legislation

Congress reintroduces DIR fee legislation

WASHINGTON — Reps. Morgan Griffith (R., Va.) and Peter Welch (D., Vt.) have reintroduced the Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act (H.R. 1038), which community pharmacies say would squelch a growing burden: retroactive direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees. The bill, introduced Wednesday in the House of Representatives, would ban the application

Lewis Drug adopts iMedicare service

Lewis Drug adopts iMedicare service

NEW YORK — Regional pharmacy chain Lewis Drug is implementing iMedicare, a service that helps patients make more informed decisions when choosing a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan. Plans call for Lewis Drug to integrate the iMedicare decision-automation platform into the pharmacy systems at its 45 drug stores in South Dakota, Iowa and

Kmart Pharmacy highlights preferred status in Part D

Kmart Pharmacy highlights preferred status in Part D

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart Pharmacy is making a pitch to seniors by spotlighting its status as a preferred pharmacy in a range of Medicare Part D plans. The Sears Holdings Corp. unit said many Medicare Part D members can now turn to Kmart Pharmacy as their 2017 preferred provider and get sizable savings, including

Pharmacies advise seniors on Medicare Part D plans

NEW YORK — Pharmacy retailers are busy informing the public about Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs). Enrollment for the 2017 plan year began October 15 and extends through December 7. For example, CVS Pharmacy is offering an extensive array of in-store and online resources to assist senior patients in determining the best 2017

Rite Aid ready to help seniors with Medicare Part D

Rite Aid ready to help seniors with Medicare Part D

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. is offering assistance to seniors as the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits is now under way. Rite Aid said Friday that through Dec. 7, its nearly 4,600 pharmacies are providing free resources to help seniors choose a Part D prescription drug plan or

CVS lends hand with Medicare Part D enrollment

CVS lends hand with Medicare Part D enrollment

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With open enrollment for Medicare Part D kicking off over the weekend, CVS Pharmacy has begun offering in-store and online resources to help seniors select prescription drug coverage for the 2017 plan year. CVS is providing access to information about local and national Part D plans in English and Spanish all of

Cardinal Health helps independents crack Part D networks

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health said it is offering independent pharmacies a pharmacy-centered approach to preferred access to Medicare Part D networks to help them overcome “reimbursement pressures” in 2017. “Cardinal Health balances access and economics with the only advisory panel of pharmacy owners in the industry,” the company said in a statement last month.

Pharmacy stakeholders unite against DIR fees

Pharmacy stakeholders unite against DIR fees

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A group of 99 pharmacy retailers, suppliers and organizations applauded House and Senate lawmakers for introducing legislation to clamp down on retroactive direct and indirect remuneration fees imposed by pharmacy benefit managers in Medicare Part D. The National Community Pharmacists Association said the pharmacy stakeholders on Monday wrote letters to the House

Lawmakers urge CMS to act on DIR fees

Lawmakers urge CMS to act on DIR fees

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Nearly 50 members of Congress have called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize its proposed guidance on how Medicare Part D sponsors report pharmacy price concessions, also known as direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees. The National Community Pharmacists Association said that 16 senators and 30 representatives

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

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

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