ATLANTA—The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today applauded the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to withdraw a proposed rule to implement the “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) payment model for Part B drugs. Leaders felt the policy would have dramatically disrupted patient access to critical therapies needed to manage rheumatic diseases and…
Joint Letter to CMS Advocates Against Adding Stelara to Self-Administered Drug List
The ACR, CSRO and Arthritis Foundation asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to review the decision to add Stelara to the Self-Administered Drugs list, which would limit access for patients who can’t self-administer.
White House Preparing Order that Would Cut Drug Prices for Medicare
(Reuters)—U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a sweeping executive order that would cut prices on virtually all branded prescription drugs sold to Medicare and other government programs, according to two industry sources who had discussions with the White House. The order under discussion would be much broader than the Administration’s previously disclosed proposal to lower…
Advocacy in Action: How the ACR Is Working for You
Out of the turmoil of 2018 came a number of significant victories for the rheumatology field, all of which are thanks to the ACR’s volunteers, who spearheaded communication with policymakers. We are thrilled to share these successes and look forward to working with you in an even more productive 2019 (view this larger on our…
Medicare Changes Could Have Some Patients Paying More for Drugs
(Reuters Health)—A proposed shift in Medicare coverage for medicines administered by doctors may help reduce total drug spending, but a new study suggests it may also lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for some patients. Right now, drugs given by infusion or injection in outpatient settings are covered by Medicare Part B, which is part of…
ACR Praises Congress for Bill with Part B Fix, Therapy Caps Repeal
The ACR praises Congressional leaders for passing the sweeping spending agreement, which includes a technical provision reversing a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy that would have linked physicians’ quality payment adjustments to Medicare Part B drug costs starting in 2019. The ACR also applauds the inclusion of provisions that permanently repeal Medicare…
Quality Update Reporting Changes under MACRA
With the termination of the Sustainable Growth Rate formula through the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), clinicians who participate in Medicare Part B will now be reimbursed through a new payment model called the Quality Payment Program (QPP). How It Works The QPP rewards the delivery of high-quality patient care via…
The Fight Against the Medicare Part B Demonstration Project
The ACR and 315 other organizations have publicly said savings would not be achieved by the demonstration project and that it will reduce access to care for patients…
Rheumatology Advocates to Visit Capitol Hill
On Sept. 12–13, a group of more than 100 rheumatologists, rheumatology health professionals and patients will converge on Capitol Hill to take part in advocacy efforts and provide education on issues affecting the rheumatology community. During the 2016 Advocates for Arthritis event, the group will visit more than 100 Congressional offices, says ACR Government Affairs…
The ACR Continues Fight to Block Medicare Part B Demo Project: Rule Expected in Fall 2016
The ACR will seek Congressional action if the Medicare Part B demonstration project proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is not significantly altered by the agency. Today, Medicare Part B generally pays physicians and hospital outpatient departments the average sales price of a drug, plus a 6% add-on, minus reductions required…