January 9, 2013—Health care providers in the federal 340B drug discount program came under intense scrutiny in 2012 and the focus is likely to remain sharp in the year ahead. In the coming months, stakeholders can expect to see bills to reform 340B introduced by both champions and detractors of the program in Congress. … [Read more...]
Community Health and Hemophilia Centers Prepare for 340B Recertification
OPA holds webinars this week in advance of documentation process next monthJanuary 8, 2013—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) is holding a Jan. 10 webinar for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and health center "look-alikes" about their need to recertify their eligibility for 340B drug discounts next month. The Affordable Care Act required OPA to recertify the eligibility of all 340B covered entities annually. … [Read more...]
Latest Enrollment Window for 340B Closes on Jan. 15
Providers that miss deadline will have to wait until April 1-15 for enrollment beginning July 1January 2, 2013—Safety-net health care providers that want to add themselves or their satellite facilities to the 340B drug discount program or that want to establish 340B contract pharmacy arrangements starting in April have until Jan. 15 to submit their online applications. Last July, the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) announced a new enrollment policy for the 340B … [Read more...]
Court Ruling May Affect Some Hospitals’ 340B Eligibility
Decision is the latest twist in dispute over how to calculate disproportionate share percentageDecember 19, 2012—A recent ruling in a prolonged legal battle over how to count Medicare Part C managed care patient days toward safety-net hospitals' disproportionate share (DSH) percentages could affect some hospitals’ participation in the 340B drug discount program. In its Nov. 15 decision in Allina Health Services v. Sebelius, the U.S. District Court for the District of … [Read more...]
Amgen Paying $762 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Charges
Unclear if 340B entities will receive compensation for AMP and best price misreportingDecember 19, 2012—The biotechnology company Amgen agreed today to a $762 million global settlement with the federal government that encompasses claims that the company knowingly misreported best prices and average manufacturer prices (AMPs) for several of its drugs. A federal district judge in Brooklyn, N.Y., accepted a guilty plea by Amgen for illegally introducing a … [Read more...]
Hatwig Named President of Apexus
Promotion part of restructuring of 340B prime vendor contractorDecember 7, 2012—The governing board of Apexus, the federal contractor that manages the 340B prime vendor, has elevated Chris Hatwig to the new position of President. Hatwig, Apexus' top executive since its founding in 2004, previously had the title of Vice President. … [Read more...]
Nine 340B Provider Audits Completed, OPA Director Says
Meanwhile, first-ever 340B audit of a drug manufacturer is set to beginDecember 6, 2012—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has closed nine of the 51 program integrity audits of 340B covered entities it conducted during 2012, the director of the agency's 340B office said during a major pharmacy conference this week. During a session at the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Conference in Las Vegas, … [Read more...]