CMS has announced that while it still has no fixed date for releasing finalized Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal upper limits (FUL) for multiple source prescription drugs, it intends to release the finalized ACA FULs at or about the same time that it publishes a final rule pertaining to Medicaid reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs
Federal Upper Limit (FUL)
CMS Abandons Plans to Finalize ACA Medicaid Drug Pricing Policy in July 2014
In an email today to stakeholders, CMS announced that it will not be finalizing the ACA Medicaid federal upper payment limits (FUL) for multiple source drugs in July 2014, as previously intended. CMS attributes the change to a delay in providing detailed guidance to the states in preparation for implementation. CMS expects to announce…
FTC Workshop on Health Care Competition (March 20-21)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has scheduled a workshop on March 20-21, 2014 to examine developments in the U.S. health care industry, including those related to implementation of health care reform legislation and other trends related to cost, quality, access, and care coordination. Specifically, the workshop will address the following five topics:
- Professional Regulation of
…
GAO Urges CMS to Finalize ACA Medicaid Drug Pricing Reforms
The GAO recently issued a report on CMS efforts to implement Medicaid drug pricing reforms mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Specifically, the report discusses CMS development of the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) benchmark of retail pharmacy acquisition costs, and how NADAC amounts compare to ACA-based federal upper limits (FULs). Based on first…
CMS Announces Plans to Finalize ACA Medicaid Drug Pricing Policy in July 2014
After more than two years of releasing draft average manufacturer price (AMP)-based federal upper payment limit (FUL) files and methodology documents, CMS now expects to finalize the ACA Medicaid FULs for multiple source drugs in July 2014. While CMS intends to provide additional guidance in the months to come, the agency is encouraging states…
OIG Urges CMS Action on Medicaid Drug Pricing Changes in Preparation of ACA Enrollment Expansion
In a recent report, “Medicaid Drug Pricing in State Maximum Allowable Cost Programs,” the OIG examines options for controlling state Medicaid prescription drug costs, particularly given a surge in Medicaid enrollment expected in the coming years as a result of the ACA. The OIG highlights the value of state Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC)…
Updated Draft Medicaid Federal Upper Limit (FUL) Files Posted
CMS has posted the draft February 2013 FULs and Draft February 2013 Three-Month Rolling Average FULs. CMS will continue to accept comments on the draft average manufacturer price-based FULs and the draft three-month rolling average FULs, along with the methodologies used to calculate them.
Obama Administration’s Proposed FY 2014 Budget Includes $401 Billion in Health Program Savings
Today, the Obama Administration released its proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2014. As widely reported, the budget incorporates an offer the President made to Congress in December 2012 to achieve nearly $1.8 trillion in additional deficit reduction over the next 10 years, including $401 billion in health savings (the Administration observes that this level of cuts would “provide more than enough deficit reduction to replace the damaging cuts required by the Joint Committee sequestration”).
Virtually all provider types – and drug manufacturers – would be impacted by the budget provisions, if adopted as proposed. The budget proposal is certainly subject to change during the legislative process, particularly as the House and Senate leadership pursue alternative budget frameworks, and indeed, gridlock could prevent significant action on entitlement reform this year. Nevertheless, the proposals bear careful monitoring because they could eventually be included in any long-elusive “grand bargain” to reform the Medicare program and reduce the federal debt.
Highlights of the Administration’s Medicare and Medicaid proposals include the following:Continue Reading Obama Administration’s Proposed FY 2014 Budget Includes $401 Billion in Health Program Savings
CMS Releases Updated Draft Medicaid FUL Files
CMS has posted the September 2012 draft average manufacturer price (AMP)-based Medicaid federal upper limit (FUL) files, along with updated three-month rolling average FUL file consisting of the weighted average of the current and two previous monthly draft AMP-based FULs. CMS continues to accept comments on the monthly and three-month rolling average draft AMP-based FULs…
CMS Medicaid Drug Pricing Webinar: Draft Federal Upper Limits and Draft Survey of Retail Prices (Dec. 5)
On December 5, 2012, CMS is hosting a webinar on various Medicaid drug pricing issues. The webinar will cover the CMS draft three-month rolling average FUL file; draft National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) file; draft National Average Retail Price (NARP) file; and draft Monthly New Drug Report. A taping of the event and…
OIG Calls on CMS to Implement Medicaid Drug AMP-Based FUL Payments
The OIG has issued a report on Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement that compares FUL amounts based on published prices to FUL amounts based on AMP and pharmacy acquisition costs. According to the OIG, FUL amounts based on published prices (from the fourth-quarter 2011 Redbook file) were more than four times greater than sampled pharmacy acquisition costs.
CMS Posts Updated Draft Medicaid Drug Pricing Files
CMS has posted the August 2012 draft average manufacturer price (AMP)-based Medicaid federal upper limit (FUL) files, along with updated three-month rolling average FUL file consisting of the weighted average of the current and two previous monthly draft AMP-based FULs. CMS continues to accept comments on the monthly and three-month rolling average draft AMP-based FULs…
CMS Invites Comments on Draft Medicaid Drug Pricing Data (FULs, NARP, NADAC)
On October 5, 2012, CMS released a number of draft Medicaid drug pricing files and related documents for review and comment. Among other things, CMS has posted the June 2012 and July 2012 draft average manufacturer price (AMP)-based Medicaid federal upper limit (FUL) files. Based on comments that month-to-month fluctuations in the AMP-based FULs “may…
Updated Draft Medicaid Drug Payment FUL Files Released
CMS has posted updated draft Medicaid drug federal upper limit (FUL) files, reflecting May 2012 average manufacturer price data. CMS invites comments on the draft FUL files, but a comment deadline is not specified.
CMS Releases Updated Draft Medicaid Drug Payment FUL Files
CMS has posted updated draft Medicaid drug federal upper limit (FUL) files, reflecting April 2012 average manufacturer price (AMP) data. CMS continues to invite comments on the draft FUL files; a comment deadline is not specified.
CMS Posts Updated Draft Medicaid Drug Payment FUL Files
CMS has posted updated draft Medicaid drug federal upper limit (FUL) files, reflecting March 2012 average manufacturer price (AMP) data. CMS continues to invite comments on the draft FUL files.
Updated Draft Medicaid Drug Payment FUL Files Posted
On May 8, 2012 CMS posted the latest draft Medicaid drug federal upper limit (FUL) files (relating to February 2012 AMP data). CMS continues to invite comments on the draft FUL files (note that the formal comment period on CMS’s February 2, 2012 proposed rule implementing ACA Medicaid drug payment provisions has closed).
Updated Draft Medicaid Drug Payment FUL Files Posted
On May 8, 2012 CMS posted the latest draft Medicaid drug federal upper limit (FUL) files (relating to February 2012 AMP data). CMS continues to invite comments on the draft FUL files (note that the formal comment period on CMS’s February 2, 2012 proposed rule implementing ACA Medicaid drug payment provisions has closed).
CMS Posts Draft FUL Files for November 2011
CMS has posted the November 2011 draft Medicaid drug federal upper payment limit files. CMS continues to invite comments on the draft FUL files, although a comment deadline is not specified. Note that this feedback opportunity is separate from the formal comment period associated with CMS’s February 2, 2012 proposed rule implementing ACA provisions relating…
CMS Releases Long-Awaited Proposed Rule to Implement ACA Medicaid Manufacturer Rebate and Pharmacy Reimbursement Provisions
On Friday, January 27, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released its long-awaited proposed rule to implement the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) relating to pharmaceutical manufacturer payment of Medicaid rebates and limits on Medicaid reimbursement to pharmacies. The proposed rule addresses a number of important policy issues relevant to pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, and other providers, and also would pose significant operational challenges for pharmaceutical manufacturers with respect to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (“MDRP”).
Continue Reading CMS Releases Long-Awaited Proposed Rule to Implement ACA Medicaid Manufacturer Rebate and Pharmacy Reimbursement Provisions