12/04/2018

Important Oncology Related News

CMS Proposal Effectively Unprotects Six Protected Classes

CMS Proposal a Potential Nightmare for Vulnerable Medicare Patients with Cancer and Other Serious Diseases The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal to allow Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans to dictate access to drugs in the “six protected classes” is a potential nightmare for vulnerable patients with cancer. For the first...READ MORE 

HHS implements long-awaited 340B drug price transparency rule

The Department of Health and Human Services will implement the long-delayed final rule for enforcing 340B drug ceiling price transparency, on January 1, 2019.  The rule directs pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the 340B drug pricing program to disclose the maximum per unit ceiling price that can be charged to 340B hospitals.  READ MORE

New CMS Proposal Includes Prior Authorization and Step Therapy for Part D Drugs

(The Center For Biosimilars) Nov 27, 2018 - The proposed rule would allow plans to make broader use of prior authorization and step therapy for drugs—including drugs in protected classes—that are covered under Part D. READ ARTICLE

Compromising Patient Protections to Lower Drug Costs Could Harm People with Cancer

(ASCO) Nov 27, 2018 - “While ASCO supports efforts to control drug prices, we are keenly aware that optimal cancer care requires patient access to the most medically appropriate drug, at the most opportune time, based on the highest quality evidence. Read Press Release

CMS Proposes Drug Reimbursement Changes Under Medicare Part C and Part D

(ASCO in Action) Nov 27, 2018 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule pertaining to Medicare Part C and Part D—two areas of the Medicare program where reforms are being considered as part of the Administration’s “blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out-of-pocket costs.”  READ ARTICLE