April 1, 2020– The first of April is an opportunity for people to play good-natured pranks on their family and friends. But this year it also gives hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program a chance to reflect on something that is definitely not a joke – drug manufacturer pricing transparency has improved because of a federal website that went live a year ago … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals are Key to the COVID-19 Response
March 30, 2020 - As the nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic, 340B hospitals are playing a major role in providing care to all patients, especially those living with low incomes and those in rural communities that traditionally have been underserved. 340B hospitals are on the front lines of this response. Lawmakers in Washington recognize the importance of these hospitals … [Read more...]
Flawed Measures, Appearance of Bias in 340B Study
March 25, 2020 - A new research study published in Health Services Research finds hospitals newly enrolled in the 340B program provide more charity care, by offering more patients discounted care. Specifically, for newly enrolled 340B hospitals, the study finds: The amount of charity care provided increased by nearly 28.9 percent after 340B enrollment. The probability of … [Read more...]
MedPAC Report Addresses Key 340B Questions
March 18, 2020– A new report from a respected, independent congressional advisory panel sheds light on several of the key questions surrounding the 340B drug pricing program. In its March 2020 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) examined whether participation in the 340B program leads to higher drug spending for Medicare patients with five … [Read more...]
With 340B, Patients with Bleeding Disorders Are Living Healthier Lives
March 10, 2020 – National health observances have associated red with February, when Valentine’s Day brings awareness campaigns related to heart health. But for 340B covered entities and other health providers, red also is a popular color in March because it demonstrates support for patients during National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. The Centers for Disease Control … [Read more...]
Faces of 340B: Pulling Patients Out of a Spiral
March 5, 2020– 340B hospitals know firsthand the downward spiral that can come about from high and rising drug costs. Patients with low incomes, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured, increasingly struggle to afford the prescription medications they need. As a result, they don’t take the medications as directed, or worse, they skip taking the drugs altogether. … [Read more...]
As 340B Experts Convene, All Eyes Are on the Future
by Maureen Testoni February 24, 2020– For the 340B drug pricing program, 2020 doesn’t just mark the end of a decade in which the program experienced significant change. It also launches a new decade of great opportunity for using 340B to meet the needs of patients with low incomes and those who are living in rural areas. The promise of the next 10 years was on the minds … [Read more...]