Podcast — Drug Pricing: How Are Payers Responding to the IRA?
Podcast: IP(DC): Drug Prices, Political Pressures & Patents
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule, which was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2025. The comment period ends on September...more
On July 15, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule. The proposed rule includes a provision that would increase the reduction in...more
Our Drug Pricing and Market Access team tracks recent developments in healthcare reform, the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, the 340B Program, Medicare, and state law....more
Some commentators are expecting that further details regarding the so-called most favored nation (MFN) pricing policy will be released in the coming days, while other sources indicate that no further information beyond a...more
Over the past few years, Congress has attempted to pass “federal PBM reform.” Members of Congress have held numerous hearings related to PBMs and introduced numerous bills seeking to regulate PBMs (we regularly track these...more
On May 12, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued draft guidance for initial price applicability year (IPAY) 2028 of the Drug Price Negotiation Program (DPNP) established by the Inflation Reduction...more
In April 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued multiple pieces of guidance related to Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, including the Final CY 2026 Part D...more
Several April releases seem to signal some basis for optimism for stakeholders in Medicare Advantage and Part D, though with sufficient undertones to recommend caution....more
On April 15, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published the Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes Final Rule which amends the regulations governing various Medicare programs, including the...more
On April 4, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released the contract year (“CY”) 2026 final rule for the Medicare Advantage (“MA”) program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (“Part D”),...more
Key points include access to medicines in medicare is reduced as the IRA is implemented; fewer drugs are covered on Medicare Part D formularies in 2025 relative to 2024; medicines for serious conditions with high unmet needs...more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released on April 4, 2025, the final rule for contract year (CY) 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit...more
Two recent announcements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offer early indicators as to how the Trump administration, including CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, may approach the Medicare Advantage (MA)...more
This past week, the Trump administration put its first major stamp on the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two final regulatory documents related to MA: - The...more
Looking Ahead: House to Vote on Compromise Budget Resolution On the heels of the U.S. Senate's passage of a compromise budget resolution, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider the budget resolution on the...more
Below is Alston & Bird’s Health Care Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in health care regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies,...more
Evaluating current formulary access for the 25 drugs selected for Drug Price Negotiation in Medicare Part D shows several selected drugs have higher co-pays in 2025 relative to 2024 - Introduction - The Inflation Reduction...more
In addition to the Part D Benefit Redesign, the IRA’s Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP) went into effect beginning January 1, 2025. The MPPP requires Part D Sponsors (PDPs) to allow Part D beneficiaries to pay for...more
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, made changes to the way drugs are covered and reimbursed in Medicare. While some of the changes taking effect this year could save the government money, beneficiaries may...more
Closing out 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule entitled “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit...more
Heading into the new year, a Trump-Vance administration will control the White House and the Republicans will hold a narrow majority in both the House and Senate. This control trifecta is likely to impact both legislative and...more
The Inflation Reduction Act (the Act) of 2022 was controversial at the time the Act was signed into law and remains so. To date, multiple legal challenges have been asserted against the Act, with more expected in the future....more
Bipartisan efforts to lower prescription drug costs remains a core focus for the US Congress. Effective October 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the follow-on cohort for its...more
Congress may be in recess, but that has not slowed down drug pricing policy developments. In recent days, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have rolled out a series...more
On October 2, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final guidance for initial price applicability year (IPAY) 2027 of the Drug Price Negotiation Program established by the Inflation Reduction Act...more