Mar 14, 2018 | Drugs, Medicare, Part D, Payers, Products
In mid-February, the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy hosted 2 panels that discussed the policy issues surrounding patient drug cost sharing. The first panel discussed options around restructuring the Medicare Part D benefit design, and the second panel discussed mechanisms to reduce cost sharing for commercially insured patients. In this brief, we’ll discuss the policy issues surrounding prescription drug patient cost sharing. Click to read more.
Mar 12, 2018 | Drugs, Products
Efforts to curb drug prices will remain a main topic of debate in 2018, but the potential policies and actions taken to address the issue may begin to take a different shape than in the past. In the past few years, much of the blame has been on drug manufacturers. In 2018, however, many believe that lawmakers will target pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the supply chain. In this brief, we’ll discuss the ongoing policy debate and what we expect going forward. Click to read more.
Mar 8, 2018 | Drugs, Substance Abuse
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently announced the Department of Justice’s new Prescription Interdiction and Litigation (PIL) Task Force. The task force will coordinate all available criminal and civil law enforcement tools to fight the opioid crisis, with a focus on manufacturers and distributers. The Justice Department will file a statement of interest in a multidistrict lawsuit against several opioid manufacturers and distributers for the substantial costs the federal government has suffered from opioid addiction. The creation of this new task force reflects the national commitment to...
Mar 7, 2018 | Behavioral, Drugs, Products, Substance Abuse
As part of an initiative to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the FDA plans to allow drug companies to sell medications that do not completely stop addiction but rather help alleviate cravings. The agency will put forth guidance and recommendations later this month. This move to expand access reflects the ongoing support for MAT.Click to read more.
Mar 1, 2018 | Medicaid, Medicare
The CMS Innovation Center tests innovative health care payment and service delivery models that have the potential to lower Medicare and Medicaid program expenditures while maintaining or enhancing the quality of care. Although the Trump Administration has shifted to more voluntary – rather than mandatory – participation in demonstration programs, the Innovation Center remains an important tool for testing delivery system reforms in both fee-for-service and managed Medicaid and Medicare.Click to read more.
