Pharmacy Question for the Week of August 14, 2017

Question:

Is it true that CMS will cut reimbursement for the 340B program in 2018?

Answer:

In the 2018 proposed rule for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addressed recent trends of increasing drug prices, for which some of the cost burden falls to Medicare beneficiaries. For 2018, CMS has proposed paying separately payable, non-pass-through drugs (other than vaccines) purchased at a discount through the 340B drug pricing program at an average sales price (ASP) minus 22.5 percent rather than ASP plus 6 percent. Applicable drugs not purchased under the 340B drug program would continue to receive ASP plus 6 percent payment.