On Thursday, July 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that updates the payment rates and policy changes in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). In the provisions, CMS proposes to change the payment rate for certain Medicare Part B drugs purchased by hospitals through the 340B program.
The proposed changes include adjusting the applicable payment rate for drugs acquired under the 340B program from average sales prices (ASP) plus 6 percent to ASP minus 22.5 percent. This potentially represents a significant reduction to how much Medicare pays 340B hospitals for Part B drugs under OPPS.
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In a statement on the proposed rule, Tom Price, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said, “This proposal has the potential to reduce drug costs for seniors, by at least an estimated $180 million per year. If it is adopted, Medicare would pay hospitals for drugs purchased through the 340B discount program at a price more consistent with the actual cost hospitals and other providers pay to acquire those drugs. Seniors would see those savings passed on to them in the form of lower copays.” Price described the proposed change in 340B policy as part of an effort by the Trump Administration to address prescription drug prices. CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule until 5:00 pm ET on September 11, 2017. CMS said it would publish a final rule on or about November 1, 2017. If implemented as proposed, CMS would apply the new payment policy effective January 1, 2018 to all separately payable, non pass-through drugs (other than vaccines) that a hospital identifies as being purchased within the 340B program. Following the release of the proposed rule, on July 18th the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing to examine Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) oversight of the 340B drug pricing program. As expected, debates ensued surrounding the CMS proposed rule, including the impacts it may have on drug prices for the population and the effect it may have on hospitals’ reimbursements. However, much of the discussion focused on potential improvements to 340B program oversight. Most of the committee, including both Republicans and Democrats, expressed support for the program; however both sides also raised questions regarding program operations and controls. Several key themes emerged as the hearing continued, including:
The committee also discussed a future potential hearing that would include 340B hospitals, as well as another hearing that more closely examines drug prices. Deloitte is monitoring the proposed change in payment policy, as well as where things may go following the hearing, and will provide further updates as developments arise. Authors:Anne Phelps Karolyn Woo Daniel Esquibel Tony Lesser |
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