Nov. 15, 2017—A bipartisan group of U.S. House members has introduced a bill to nullify the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final regulation that slashes many 340B hospitals’ Medicare Part B drug reimbursement by almost 30 percent. Filed on Nov. 14, the bill, H.R. 4392, provides that the regulation’s changes to payment for drugs and biologicals purchased … [Read more...]
Suit Filed to Block Devastating Medicare Cuts to 340B Hospitals
November 14, 2017—Three national hospital associations and health systems in Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina have asked a federal district court to stop drastic Medicare Part B drug reimbursement cuts for many 340B hospitals from taking effect on Jan. 1. The Nov. 13 lawsuit against Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Eric Hargan seeks an order declaring the … [Read more...]
The 340B Drug Discount Program Turns 25
Nov. 10, 2017—Six current and former members of Congress gathered with nearly 200 safety-net healthcare providers on Capitol Hill this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the 340B drug discount program. In remarks during the event, Virginia and Ohio hospitals, a Texas hemophilia treatment center, Colorado’s AIDS drug assistance program, and a Maine health … [Read more...]
CMS Finalizes Nearly 30 Percent Cut in Medicare Part B Drug Payments to 340B Hospitals
November 1, 2017—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late today published a final Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) regulation that cuts Medicare Part B drug reimbursement to hospitals in the 340B drug discount program for separately payable drugs by nearly 30 percent, from average sales price (ASP) plus 6 percent to ASP minus 22.5 percent. The reduction … [Read more...]
Senators to HHS: Start Enforcing 340B Manufacturer Penalties Rule
October 31, 2017—Thirteen U.S. Senators have asked the Department of Health and Human Services to stop delaying enforcement of a 340B drug discount program final rule to police drug manufacturer overcharging. “HHS has conducted several rounds of public comment and had more than seven years to consider” the 340B ceiling price and manufacturer civil monetary penalties final … [Read more...]
Hospitals Will Have to Make Painful Cuts if CMS Slashes Drug Payments
October 26, 2017—Hospitals have begun the agonizing process of deciding which vital patient services to scale back or switch off should the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) follow through with plans to slash Medicare drug reimbursement to 340B hospitals starting Jan. 1. Cancer care and help for patients addicted to opioids could be on the chopping block, … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals to CMS: Drug Reimbursement Cut Will Harm Patients
October 19, 2017 – A group of more than 1,300 hospitals serving low-income and rural communities is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to withdraw its proposal to cut Medicare reimbursement for outpatient prescription drugs. Earlier this year, CMS issued a proposed rule that would cut Medicare Part B drug payments to hospitals participating in the … [Read more...]