Content about Medicare

A cool trillion dollars. That’s what the generic industry said U.S. patients and public and private health plan payers have saved over the last decade by switching from branded to generic prescription drugs at pharmacy counters.

Looked at another way, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association trumpeted in a study released last Thursday that me-too medicines saved a half-billion dollars a day between 2002 and 2011.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Monday hosted a public meeting to entertain a controversial payment adjustment — called "inherent reasonableness" — in reimbursing for non-mail-order diabetes supplies.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday morning identified the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as a tax, which means the constitutionality of the healthcare-reform package cannot be addressed until after that tax is assessed.

The court did rule the health insurance mandate, a key part of the Affordable Care Act, as unconstitutional; however, the government will continue to be able to tax people for not having health insurance.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Rural Health Association on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., strongly supporting the bill she introduced in March — H.R. 4215, the Medicare Pharmacy Transparency and Fair Auditing Act. The bill helps safeguard patient access to independent community pharmacists and addresses abusive pharmacy auditing practices, while allowing legitimate Medicare Part D anti-fraud oversight to continue.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday identified three problematic regulations that inhibit job creation.

The Medicare Part B diabetes testing supplies competitive bidding program threatens patient access to these medical necessities, the association noted, and the 340B Drug Discount program also represents a challenge to community pharmacy due to its loose eligibility criteria. Lastly, job creation can be inhibited by the fee-for-service Medicare enrollment/revalidation fees that many pharmacies have to pay twice.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Walgreens-owned clinic operator Take Care Clinics now is offering three new diagnostic tests and administrative physicals — a move that also advances the Well at Walgreens strategy to enhance services as a community healthcare provider and transform to a health and daily living destination.

The launch of these new services is based on input from patients, managed care organizations and healthcare providers on ways to help prevent the progression of disease and use the most appropriate point of care, the company said.

BALTIMORE — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services earlier this month released a memo to all Part D sponsors, warning them that the agency has "observed an increase in beneficiary complaints related to the transfer of prescriptions from retail pharmacies to either mail-order or specialty pharmacy without their explicit consent."

I am the 99%. And thank God for that. But it’s not what you think. This isn’t about radical politics and class warfare. I’m not looking to tax the 1%. I just want them to take better care of themselves. And I’m definitely not the only one. More and more, payers, insurers and big government are all looking at ways to get this group to live a little healthier. 


ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Wednesday that it has submitted comments to the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health urging that retail pharmacies remain exempt from the Medicare durable medical equipment competitive bidding program. The subcommittee held a hearing regarding the program on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — Community pharmacy operators are the "canary in the coal mine" when it comes to federal or state prescription programs, said Douglas Hoey, CEO for the National Community Pharmacists Association, during a press conference held Tuesday afternoon.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former President George W. Bush addressed attendees of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Annual meeting here Tuesday morning, followed by a question-and-answer session with new NACDS chairman Greg Wasson.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The study's findings that the Part D coverage gap — or “doughnut hole” — led to a significant gap in the adherence of cardiovascular medications may not come as a complete surprise; however, it undoubtedly underscores the important role that pharmacy can play in helping patients navigate plan strategies that promote the use of lower-cost medications.