Podcast — Drug Pricing: How Are Payers Responding to the IRA?
Podcast: IP(DC): Drug Prices, Political Pressures & Patents
In a surprising move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it is reconstituting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), removing...more
As discussed in last week’s Regs & Eggs blog post, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released additional budget documents to support the department’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 discretionary request....more
U.S. House of Representatives committees are scheduled to begin markups on additional portions of the budget reconciliation package on May 13, 2025. Both the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Energy...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
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
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
During the first weeks of the second Trump Administration, a number of executive orders and other actions have been implemented, with some having potential implications for employee benefits. Executive Orders can, and do,...more
A few weeks ago, Regs & Eggs provided insights into Medicare Advantage (MA), the private insurance option under Medicare, and explored both short- and long-term actions that the Trump administration could take to modify MA...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
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) significantly changed the popular Medicare drug programs. While an IRA policy goal is to reduce the out-of-pocket drug spending, beneficiaries may experience higher drug plan premiums and...more
At a public meeting held on January 15, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) summarized the Second Interim Staff Report (Second Report) stemming from its investigation into pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their...more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Advance Notice, proposing updates to payment policies for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs. This...more
On December 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Proposed Rule for revisions to the regulations governing the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, Medicare Prescription Benefit (Part D),...more
There are important new rules this year relating to prescription drug coverage which may be relevant to your Medicare plan beginning January 1, 2025. The “Open Enrollment” period this year during which eligible individuals...more
On August 15, 2024, CMS announced the results of the first round of the negotiated prices between CMS and participating drug manufacturers for the 10 selected drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Medicare Drug...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
Although I previously declared January 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) Month, this week has also been filled with news about the MA program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rate announcement...more
On April 1, 2024, the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and D Payment Policies (Rate Announcement). CMS...more
Our team’s preparation for the year includes a review of the anticipated impact of the IRA on the health care industry in 2024. Many of the IRA’s key provisions that go into effect this year are centered around two main...more
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia recently dismissed an appeal by the Pharmaceutical Coalition for Patient Access (“PCPA”) that challenged a negative opinion issued by the U.S. Department...more
On January 31, 2024, the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2025 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and D...more
Last week, McDermott+Consulting launched an election 2024 resource page, where you can find a 2024 health policy outlook and other insights into the November election. While regulations aren’t necessarily top-of-mind when...more
In 2024, Medicare will, for the first time, have authority under the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers. On August 29, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid...more
On August 29, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the ten (10) Medicare Part D drugs selected for the first round of negotiations of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (Program)—a few...more