July 5, 2013—The head of a patient group that has been critical of the 340B drug discount program told a House health subcommittee member last week he was correct to understand that hospitals leverage their 340B savings to buy competing cancer clinics.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Testifying on June 28 before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Nancy … [Read more...]
OPA Tweaks 340B Hospital Recertification Process
New GPO exclusion requirements necessitate some changesJuly 2, 2013—All 340B hospitals will need to recertify their eligibility for the drug discount program during a four-week period that will begin in mid-August, but the exact start date has yet to be announced, a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) representative said during a webinar last week.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Unlike last year, when hospitals … [Read more...]
Public Hospital Group Re-Names Itself America’s Essential Hospitals
Association played an important role in the creation of the 340B programJune 28, 2013—The National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH), which was instrumental in the 340B drug discount program's creation and remains one of its chief proponents, has changed its name to America's Essential Hospitals to emphasize its members' mission as providers of "high-quality and innovative care to all, including the most … [Read more...]
OPA Setting the Stage for 340B Hospital Recertification
Holding two-hour webinar on June 26 to go over what's to come in AugustJune 20, 2013—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) is holding a two-hour webinar for 340B hospitals on June 26 beginning at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) about their need to recertify their eligibility for the drug discount program later this summer.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Hospital recertification is due to begin shortly after … [Read more...]
Appellate Court Decision May Affect Some Hospitals’ 340B Eligibility
Ruling is yet another twist in dispute over how to calculate disproportionate share adjustment percentageJune 20, 2013—A new federal appellate decision in a dispute over how to calculate safety-net hospitals' Medicare disproportionate share (DSH) adjustment percentages could affect some hospitals’ participation in the 340B drug discount program.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] In its June 11 decision in Catholic Health Initiatives v. Sebelius, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the … [Read more...]
State Medicaid Agencies Clarify 340B Drug Billing Requirements
Updates circulated in Minnesota, Oregon, and HawaiiJune 12, 2013—Medicaid officials in three states have recently issued provider bulletins clarifying the procedures for billing 340B drugs used for fee for service (FFS) and managed care beneficiaries.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] In Minnesota, the state Medicaid agency published a May 16 update on its website reminding safety-net providers that carve-in 340B FFS and managed … [Read more...]
HRSA Approves Condition on 340B-Priced Neulasta
Says specialty distribution requirement won't affect discounted pricingJune 12, 2013—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) says Amgen's decision to sell its biologic drug Neulasta at 340B pricing exclusively through specialty distributors "will not violate the 340B statute," the agency has told both the association representing 340B hospitals and the 340B prime vendor. Neulasta is an expensive, man-made human protein used to … [Read more...]