October 17, 2013—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) says that, for now, it has no plans to extend the October registration period for enrollment in the 340B program beginning Jan. 1, 2014.[ms-protect-content id=”2799″]
OPA posted the notice on its 340B database home page this morning, the first day back to work for most federal employees following a 16-day government shutdown. Late last night, Congress passed and President Obama signed legislation that funds the government through Jan. 15 and raises the federal debt limit through Feb. 7. Another shutdown is possible early next year if Democrats and Republicans in Washington remain at loggerheads over fiscal issues and other matters.
Oct. 1 through 15 was one of the four 15-day periods during the year during which eligible providers can sign up for the 340B program. The next period is Jan. 1 through 15 for an April 1 start date.
The 340B registration process takes place entirely online in the OPA website’s database section. OPA kept its database open during the shutdown, which allowed providers to submit their applications. OPA, however, was unable to answer questions about registration while the government was closed and referred all questions to the 340B Prime Vendor Program during that time. Some providers have expressed concerns about not being able to reach OPA during the registration period.
At the beginning of the shutdown, OPA noted on its home page that it would not process 340B enrollment applications, database change requests, or program termination requests until it was able to resume normal operations. “We will not extend the [340B] registration period at this time,” OPA said in the announcement on the 340B database home page. “We will assume normal review processes beginning Oct. 17, 2013. The 340B program will contact registrants if there is an issue with [their] registration.”
In a separate announcement on the database home page, OPA reaffirmed that 340B recertification for HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease, and tuberculosis program grantees will still begin early next month. A series of informational webinars for these grantees that was to have begun yesterday will be rescheduled.[/ms-protect-content]