CMS Delays Rule on Pharmacy Reimbursement for Prescription Drugs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has delayed enforcement of a rule that changes the way state Medicaid agencies reimburse pharmacies for prescription drugs.
HHS Awards $94M to Treat Opioid and Heroin Abuse Epidemic
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $94 million in Affordable Care Act funding to 271 health centers in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
CMS Selects Markets for Primary Care Payment Initiative
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced 10 states in four regions in which it will launch its primary care quality improvement initiative.
Senate Approves Medicare “Lock-In ” Provision
The U.S. Senate approved the Medicare “lock-in” provision that gives Medicare Part D plans the authority to require at-risk beneficiaries to use a single prescriber and pharmacy for frequently abused drugs.
Senate’s FDA Funding Bill Falls Short of What Was Requested
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2016 appropriations bill to fund the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but at levels far below what President Obama requested.
Rare Clinical Trial Compensation Legislation Is Signed Into Law
President Obama signed a bill into law that will compensate patients for participating in clinical studies of rare diseases.
CMS Expands Coverage of HYQVIA for PI Patients to In-Home Use
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded coverage to include in-home use of HYQVIA(immune globulin infusion 10 percent [human] with recombinant humanhyaluronidase) to treat primary immunodeficiency patients.
Four States Introduce Legislation on Right to Try Experimental Drugs
Several states have introduced legislation that would let patients bypass the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Expanded Access program in acquiring investigational therapies.
Limiting Spending for Some Medical Services Increases
A growing number of employers and insurers are limiting how much they’ll pay for certain medical services, according to a recent study.
Supreme Court Upholds Exemption to ACA’s Contraception Coverage Requirement
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow a key exemption to the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage requirements, meaning closely held, for-profit businesses can assert a religious objection.
