DIR Fee News Update

Grassley, Wyden, Bipartisan Senators Push HHS for Pharmacy DIR Reforms in Medicare Part D

WASHINGTON - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma requesting they use regulatory authority to reform direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) with respect to pharmacies under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the senators are asking HHS to move forward with the pharmacy DIR reforms that were included in the CMS November 30, 2018 proposed rule "Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses," and finalize them for the plan year 2021. Implementing these reforms would provide payment certainty that enables pharmacies to continue to serve beneficiaries and help them get the best outcomes from their prescribed medications.  
Read more on the Congressional Finance Committee Website