HHS Proposes to Rescind Rule on Insulin, EpiPen Discounts for Community Health Centers
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has issued a proposed rule to rescind a Trump-era final rule requiring federally qualified health centers to fully pass along discounts they received from the 340B drug discount program for insulin and EpiPens to low-income or uninsured patients.
White Bagging — Medication Distribution Payer Changes
How familiar are you with “white bagging?” Maybe you’ve heard of it but aren’t sure what it is or how it affects your facility. Here’s a quick explanation: white bagging means payers reimburse third-party pharmacies, which then distribute the medications to outpatient medical providers, removing your ability to make changes to the patients’ medication.
HRSA Orders Drug Companies to Resume Discounts to 340B Contract Pharmacies
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) ordered six pharmaceutical companies to resume payments to contract pharmacies participating in the 340B discount program, stating that their current policies have resulted in overcharges and are in direct violation of the 340B statute. The letters were sent to Eli Lilly, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Novartis, United Therapeutics, and Novo Nordisk.
CHA Issues Summary of Final Rule on Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, Value-Based Purchasing Arrangements
CHA has issued a detailed summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that makes changes to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, drug utilization review, and third-party liability regulations, and revises requirements for value-based purchasing (VBP) agreements between states and manufacturers for drugs covered by Medicaid.
HHS Issues Guidance Requiring Manufacturers to Provide 340B Discount at Contract Pharmacies
On Dec. 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services general counsel issued an advisory opinion requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell covered entities 340B drugs at or below the ceiling price when those drugs are distributed through a contract pharmacy.
DHCS Seeks Federal Approval for No-Cost COVID-19 Vaccines for Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
With the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is seeking federal approval to help support delivery of the vaccine to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
HRSA Releases 340B Drug Pricing Program Administrative Dispute Resolution Final Rule
On Dec 10, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a final rule establishing a process to resolve disputes between 340B-covered entities and drug manufacturers.
CHA Releases Summaries of New Drug Pricing Payment Model and Part D Safe Harbor Final Rules
CHA has issued detailed summaries, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, of two drug pricing final rules recently published by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
DHCS Delays Implementation of Medi-Cal Rx Until April 1
Given the ongoing challenges associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has decided to delay the full implementation of Medi-Cal Rx until April 1, 2021.
DHCS Posts Medi-Cal Rx Prescriber and Pharmacy Training Registration
In advance of the transition of pharmacy services to Medi-Cal Rx starting on Jan. 1, 2021, the Department of Health Care Services recently launched a training registration application on the Medi-Cal Rx portal for Medi-Cal prescribers and pharmacies.