Content about Medicare

March 28, 2012

NCPA releases program for Legislative Conference meeting

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday released the program for its 2012 Legislative Conference meeting, which will bring community pharmacists and some of Washington, D.C.’s most senior decision-makers together to discuss pressing healthcare and pharmacy issues.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday released the program for its 2012 Legislative Conference meeting, which will bring community pharmacists and some of Washington, D.C.’s most senior decision-makers together to discuss pressing healthcare and pharmacy issues.

March 26, 2012

Increase in Rx costs surpasses inflation rate

Increases in the prices of prescription drugs have far outpaced the rate of general inflation over the years, as increases in the prices of branded and specialty drugs have offset decreases in the prices of generics, according to a new report by AARP’s research arm. 

The study, conducted by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, found that the cumulative change in drug prices from 2005 to 2009 was almost double the rate of inflation. As a result, the average annual cost of drug therapy continued to rise. 

March 26, 2012

RxImpact Day: Now it’s your turn

The fourth annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill wrapped up March 22 on a high note. With pharmacists and pharmacy students from around the country able to secure more than 350 meetings with members of the U.S. House and Senate and their staffs last week, most lawmakers who serve on congressional committees with jurisdiction on healthcare issues got to hear pharmacy’s position on prescription reimbursements, fair payment for pharmacy services and the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit management giants Express Scripts and Medco.

March 21, 2012

Legislation introduced to standardize, improve PBM Medicare audits

Industry-supported legislation designed to improve pharmacy benefits manager standards under the Medicare prescription drug program — standards that will further provide fair audits of and payments to pharmacies — was presented before the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — Industry-supported legislation designed to improve pharmacy benefits manager standards under the Medicare prescription drug program — standards that will further provide fair audits of and payments to pharmacies — was presented before the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

March 21, 2012

NACDS kicks off RxImpact Day with praise for newly introduced legislation

In anticipation of hundreds of meetings between pharmacy advocates and members of Congress and their staff as part of NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores sent a letter to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., applauding the introduction of her legislation on Tuesday that would establish Medicare standards for pharmacy audits and reimbursement by pharmacy benefit managers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In anticipation of hundreds of meetings between pharmacy advocates and members of Congress and their staff as part of NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores sent a letter to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., applauding the introduction of her legislation on Tuesday that would establish Medicare standards for pharmacy audits and reimbursement by pharmacy benefit managers.

March 19, 2012

Affordable Care Act helped seniors, people with disabilities save more than $3 billion on Rxs

More than 5.1 million seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare saved billions on prescription drugs, thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

WASHINGTON — More than 5.1 million seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare saved billions on prescription drugs, thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

New data found that these individuals saved more than $3.2 billion on prescription drugs, while savings for seniors included a one-time $250 rebate check to those who hit the "donut hole" coverage gap in 2010 and a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs in the donut hole in 2011.

March 8, 2012

MTM fights diabetes on the front lines

The number of patients with diabetes is not decreasing any time soon, and one of the most important fronts in the battle lies at the pharmacy counter. 

March 7, 2012

NCPA applauds call for congressional hearing on PBMs, Medicare Part D

Two lawmakers are calling for a congressional hearing surrounding the role of pharmacy benefit managers in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Two lawmakers are calling for a congressional hearing surrounding the role of pharmacy benefit managers in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

February 29, 2012

NCPA sends second letter addressing CMS' double-billing of certain enrollment fees

The National Community Pharmacists Association last week sent a follow-up letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asking the agency to revisit a decision last month that effectively requires some pharmacies to pay duplicative fee-for-service Medicare enrollment/revalidation fees, according to the association.

WASHINGTON — The National Community Pharmacists Association last week sent a follow-up letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asking the agency to revisit a decision last month that effectively requires some pharmacies to pay duplicative fee-for-service Medicare enrollment/revalidation fees, according to the association.

February 28, 2012

Study finds 'substantial' differences between older, younger patient groups

Lowering health costs will require a greater understanding of differences between two distinct groups of patients, according to a new study, which also noted a growing availability of specialty drugs for complex and chronic conditions outside the hospital.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Lowering health costs will require a greater understanding of differences between two distinct groups of patients, according to a new study, which also noted a growing availability of specialty drugs for complex and chronic conditions outside the hospital.

February 23, 2012

Express Scripts plays down Walgreens impact

Express Scripts chairman and CEO George Paz on Thursday played down the impact of Walgreens' exit from its pharmacy network.

ST. LOUIS — Express Scripts chairman and CEO George Paz on Thursday played down the impact of Walgreens' exit from its pharmacy network.

February 21, 2012

Putting some teeth into MTM

Message to Congress: You’ve got to spend a little money to save a lot of it. Paying $100 million to the nation’s community pharmacists to provide comprehensive medication therapy management to more American seniors would save Medicare $1 billion or more. Spend $200 million and save $2 billion ... you get the picture.

February 10, 2012

NACDS, California pharmacy groups urge CMS to block proposed state plan amendment

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and California pharmacy groups have banded together to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to prevent the implementation of a state plan amendment — proposed by the California Department of Health Care Services — which they say would place significant limitations on access to pharmacy care and services for the state’s Medi-Cal patients.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and California pharmacy groups have banded together to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to prevent the implementation of a state plan amendment — proposed by the California Department of Health Care Services — which they say would place significant limitations on access to pharmacy care and services for the state’s Medi-Cal patients.

February 7, 2012

Reps. seek sponsors for MTM bill

Two members of Congress are looking for co-sponsors for a bill that would strengthen the medication therapy management benefit in the Medicare prescription drug program.

NEW YORK — Two members of Congress are looking for co-sponsors for a bill that would strengthen the medication therapy management benefit in the Medicare prescription drug program.

Last year, Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ala.; and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., introduced H.R. 891, the Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act, which would allow elderly people with at least one chronic condition access to Medicare Part D coverage for MTM. Currently, only those with multiple conditions are eligible.

February 2, 2012

Statement: Walgreens a differentiating factor in Medicare Part D plans

Medicare Part D plans that had incorporated Walgreens into their network gained market share last year, while those without Walgreens collectively lost market share, according to a Walgreens statement issued Wednesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Medicare Part D plans that had incorporated Walgreens into their network gained market share last year, while those without Walgreens collectively lost market share, according to a Walgreens statement issued Wednesday.

January 30, 2012

NACDS, NCPA urge guidance for states on Medicaid reimbursements

Two groups representing the retail pharmacy industry are urging the federal government to provide guidance to the states on how to adjust Medicaid dispensing fees to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Two groups representing the retail pharmacy industry are urging the federal government to provide guidance to the states on how to adjust Medicaid dispensing fees to determine pharmacy reimbursement.

January 20, 2012

Awareness expected  to benefit diabetes, DME

According to the American Diabetes Association’s latest figures, 79 million Americans have prediabetes, but only 1-out-of-10 knows it. That suggests a terrific upside in the market of diabetes-testing supplies and diabetes-supportive products as more of those Americans become aware of their condition.  

January 19, 2012

NCPA seeks special enrollment period for Part D patients from CMS

The National Community Pharmacists Association is calling for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow senior patients to enroll in a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan via a special enrollment period, particularly if patients believe that "material misrepresentations" led them to sign up for a "preferred network" plan with inadequate pharmacy access.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association is calling for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow senior patients to enroll in a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan via a special enrollment period, particularly if patients believe that "material misrepresentations" led them to sign up for a "preferred network" plan with inadequate pharmacy access.

January 17, 2012

PCMA launches advertising campaign

The main lobby representing pharmacy benefit managers is launching an advertising campaign amid scrutiny the industry has received lately from the public and lawmakers.

WASHINGTON — The main lobby representing pharmacy benefit managers is launching an advertising campaign amid scrutiny the industry has received lately from the public and lawmakers.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association announced Tuesday the launch of its new "That's What PBMs Do" ad campaign, which includes print and video ads that focus on what the PCMA called PBMs' role in reducing pharmacy costs, Medicare Part D and mail-order pharmacy.

January 12, 2012

FTC ends investigation of CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that the Federal Trade Commission has concluded its investigation into the company’s business practices.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that the Federal Trade Commission has concluded its investigation into the company’s business practices.

January 10, 2012

Sens. Conrad, Snowe raise bipartisan concerns over draft lists of Medicaid drug FULs

In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with 12 of their colleagues, have expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists for Medicaid generic drug reimbursement that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, along with 12 of their colleagues, have expressed concerns with draft Federal Upper Limits lists for Medicaid generic drug reimbursement that recently have been published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association commended the Senators for the effort.

January 9, 2012

CVS Caremark looks to purchase Health Net's stand-alone Medicare Part D Rx drug plan business

CVS Caremark has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business from Health Net for approximately $160 million in cash.

LOS ANGELES and WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business from Health Net for approximately $160 million in cash.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2012, subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, including approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

January 6, 2012

Senior advocacy group publicly requests ESI to settle Walgreens dispute

RetireSafe, a 400,000-supporter strong grassroots organization that advocates and educates on behalf of America's seniors on issues regarding Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being, on Friday issued a press release urging Express Scripts to return to the negotiating table and come to an agreement with Walgreens.

WASHINGTON — RetireSafe, a 400,000-supporter strong grassroots organization that advocates and educates on behalf of America's seniors on issues regarding Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being, on Friday issued a press release urging Express Scripts to return to the negotiating table and come to an agreement with Walgreens.

December 21, 2011

Independents providing LTC could face challenges under newly proposed CMS regulations

According to the National Community Pharmacists Association, changes governing long-term care facilities that recently were proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could create turmoil for independent community pharmacies providing LTC services, the association stated in a release Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — According to the National Community Pharmacists Association, changes governing long-term care facilities that recently were proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could create turmoil for independent community pharmacies providing LTC services, the association stated in a release Wednesday.

December 19, 2011

Prescription drug access remained stable between 2007 and 2010, study finds

One-in-eight Americans didn't fill prescriptions last year because they couldn't afford to, but despite difficulties with the economy, that proportion remained level, according to a new study conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

WASHINGTON — One-in-eight Americans didn't fill prescriptions last year because they couldn't afford to, but despite difficulties with the economy, that proportion remained level, according to a new study conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.