July 20, 2012—Two influential members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health have asked the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to issue an updated 340B definition of patient "that ensures the program's eligibility is for those truly in need and curbs any misuse of the program." In a July 18 letter to HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, … [Read more...]
OPA May Alter Process for Adding Entities to 340B
Resources saved would go toward program integrity, OPA Director Pedley saysJuly 16, 2012—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs’ (OPA) may change its timetable for enrolling covered entities and their satellites in the 340B program to free up staff for program integrity efforts, OPA Director Krista Pedley said during the 340B Coalition annual conference. Currently, when an entity or one of its outpatient sites meets all 340B requirements, OPA makes it … [Read more...]
HRSA Formally Solicits Bids for New 340B Contract Agency
Request for proposals suggests that there could be changes in store for PSSC(Updated on July 17 with comment from the American Pharmacists Association) July 16, 2012—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has formally opened the competition for a contractor to support its 340B program integrity efforts and perhaps take over enrolling and recertifying providers in the drug discount program. Bids are due by 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) on … [Read more...]
Study Models What Would Occur if States Opt Out of Medicaid Expansion
11.5 million would be without any assistance for obtaining coverage, Urban Institute findsJuly 6, 2012—More than 1.3 million uninsured adults in Texas and nearly a million in Florida would get no additional help obtaining health coverage under the Affordable Ace Act (ACA) if their states decide not to expand their Medicaid programs as provided for under health care reform, according to new estimates from the Urban Institute Health Policy Center. According to the … [Read more...]
GSK to Pay 340B Providers $20.2 Million to Resolve Best Price Charges
Agreement is part of record-setting $3 billion health care fraud settlement with the U.S. governmentJuly 2, 2012—Drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has agreed to repay 340B covered entities a record-setting $20.2 million for overcharges covering the period 1994 through 2003 as part of a $3 billion global health care fraud settlement with the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ). According to the July 2 settlement agreement, DOJ contends that the company used bundled sales … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals Urged to Adopt Code of Conduct
SNHPA asks members and others to follow six principles of responsible stewardshipJune 29, 2012—The association representing hospitals in the 340B drug discount program is urging its 850-plus members and all others enrolled to adopt six principles of responsible program stewardship. The code of conduct drafted by Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA) covers how 340B savings should be used, what charity care should encompass, contract … [Read more...]
U.S. Supreme Court Preserves Health Reform’s 340B Provisions
Justices vote 5-to-4 to largely uphold Affordable Care ActJune 28, 2012—The U.S. Supreme Court's 5-to-4 decision today to largely uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) preserves rural, children's, and cancer hospitals' eligibility to participate in the 340B drug discount program. The Drug Discount Monitor is still analyzing the 193-page decision.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Writing for the majority, Chief … [Read more...]