Last Thursday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shocked everyone with a proposal altering a small part of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. CMS proposed reducing reimbursement for certain Medicare Part B drugs purchased by 340B-eligible hospitals: from Average Sales Price (ASP) plus 6% to ASP minus 22.5%. Hospitals will also have to identify 340B claims with a new modifier.
Below, I highlight the most important 13 pages of CMS’s 664-page proposal. I also offer some observations and commentary on the proposal.
For context, I also include the new background memo for today’s House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing: Examining HRSA’s Oversight of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The memo highlights the many negative findings from government watchdog agencies.
Like it or not, change may finally be coming to the out-of-control 340B program. Let’s hope Congress can get the program refocused on genuine safety-net providers and financially needy patients.
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