July 30, 2015—Biopharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers say they appreciate the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed regulation that would make Medicaid managed care organizations responsible for identifying 340B claims in the Medicaid MCO context. But the two differ about how the requirement should be carried out. … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley Requests Hearing on 340B
Asks Finance Committee to hold session on recent GAO reportJuly 20, 2015—Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has asked the chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee to hold a hearing on the recent Government Accountability Office report about Medicare Part B spending at hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program. … [Read more...]
340B Audit of Drug Manufacturer Is Being Kept Under Wraps
OIG restricted report will not be made available to public, Herzog saysJuly 14, 2015—The federal government's first 340B program audit of a drug manufacturer will not be made available to the public, the deputy director of the Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Pharmacy Affairs said yesterday. … [Read more...]
340B Hospital Recertification Will Begin Aug. 5
Be on the lookout for emails from us on Aug. 3 and 5, HRSA says during webinarJuly 9, 2015—Hospitals will have from Aug. 5 to Sept. 9 to recertify their eligibility for the 340B drug discount program, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced during a webinar yesterday. … [Read more...]
More Questions Raised About GAO’s 340B Study
ASHP and AHA are the latest to challenge report's findingsJuly 9, 2015—A controversial study about Medicare Part B spending at 340B hospitals is facing more criticism. … [Read more...]
AstraZeneca, Biogen Idec, and Cephalon Settle Medicaid Rebate Fraud Claims
Agreements with whistleblower and federal, state governments do not address 340BJuly 8, 2015—Pharmaceutical manufacturers AstraZeneca, Biogen Idec, and Cephalon have agreed to pay a combined $55.5 million to settle a whistleblower's claims they defrauded the federal government and 24 states by underpaying Medicaid drug rebates. … [Read more...]
HHS and Hospitals Challenge GAO Conclusions About 340B and Medicare
Analysis doesn't support findings of unnecessary spending, they sayUPDATED July 7, 2015 (Includes reaction from America's Essential Hospitals) July 6, 2015—The Department of Health and Human Services and the association representing 340B hospitals have expressed serious concerns about a study released today by the Government Accountability Office on Medicare Part B spending at 340B hospitals. … [Read more...]